Seeing Mrs. Waters packing her clothes and cosmetics into the suitcase, Carl felt a bit confused.
“Mom, where are you going?” he asked, puzzled.
Mrs. Waters remained silent until she finished packing everything she needed, then turned to look at Carl.
“You’ve been bewitched by that vixen, Nana!” Mrs. Waters pointed at him, a mix of sadness and anger in her scolding. “Grace is pregnant, and yet you heartlessly drove her away. I don’t have a son like you!”
After saying that, Mrs. Waters grabbed her suitcase and walked towards the door. She told Carl, “I’m going back to my hometown for a while. Take care of yourself!”
Then she truly left the villa, leaving the two household servants dumbfounded.
Seeing Carl expressionlessly walking downstairs, Emily couldn’t help but persuade him, “Young Master, please convince Madam to come back. You and your mother are so close, why let things escalate like this?”
“I understand, Emily. Go about your business,” Carl replied wearily. Although he agreed with her verbally, he ultimately didn’t go after Mrs. Waters.
For a long time, Mrs. Waters had been overwhelmed due to Nana’s condition at home, and Carl’s mental state had reached its limit.
Thinking that his mother hadn’t been back to her hometown for several years, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for her to stay there for a while.
Now that there were only the household servants left at home, Carl had no reason to stay and drove back to the hospital.
Entering the hospital room, he saw Nana with her back turned to him, seemingly lost in thought while gazing out the window.
“Nana, I’m back!” Carl greeted as he approached. To test Nana’s level of acceptance towards him, he reached out his long arms and embraced her waist from behind.
Nana’s heart skipped a beat as she felt the gentleness from behind and the familiar scent of Carl’s cologne, but she didn’t make any evasive movements.
She continued to gaze at the scenery outside, allowing Carl to rest his chin on her shoulder.
The two remained silent, embracing each other for a few minutes.
Until Nana felt a bit tired standing, she turned around and smiled lightly at Carl. “You can sit down. I want to lie down for a while.”
Realizing her limited energy, Carl quickly helped support Nana back to the hospital bed.
He pulled a chair next to the bed and sat in front of Nana, speaking softly, “What would you like to eat tonight? It’s still early, and I plan to cook for you.”
Facing Carl’s attentive care, Nana glanced at him and asked, “Putting aside food for now, did you go home just now?”
“Yes…” Carl didn’t deny it and had no intention of hiding anything from Nana.
He revealed everything that had happened in the bedroom just now, hoping to earn Nana’s acceptance with sincerity.
However, instead of finding amusement in the Waters family’s turmoil, Nana’s face showed a hint of guilt.
“I’m sorry, it’s all because of me. Otherwise, your mother wouldn’t be so angry, let alone go back to her hometown.”
Speaking, Nana forced a bitter smile. “To be honest, I really don’t want you and your mother to become more estranged. Even if we live our separate lives in the future, I don’t want to be a disruptive person.”
Seeing Nana selflessly considering him even in such circumstances, Carl, moved and resolute, strengthened his belief.
“Nana, don’t think that way. I’ve never blamed you, and I don’t mind,” Carl said with a deep expression, ripples forming in his eyes.
“I’ve actually lived a very exhausting life all these years. I realized that the purpose of my existence seems to be fulfilling my mother’s various expectations. In other words, I’m someone without a self, including entering the entertainment industry,” Carl confessed to Nana, pouring out his heart.
Upon hearing Carl’s confession, Nana smiled and asked, “What does your true self look like? If you don’t want to be an actor, what profession would you like to pursue?”
“I think I’m an introverted person. If I could choose again, I would like to be a screenwriter or an artist, rather than wandering in front of the camera every day,” Carl replied, opening up further to Nana.
Lost in thought, Nana lying on the hospital bed made a gentle suggestion after a few seconds, “Since you have dreams, why not give it a try? I believe with your intelligence and talent, you can start by trying your hand at screenwriting and learn painting in your spare time.”
Listening to her advice and guidance, Carl’s expression turned serious, and he nodded with a clear and bright smile. “Alright, when you marry me, I will accompany you and our baby while working hard to pursue my dreams!”
Marrying Carl seemed a bit premature for Nana. After all, Carl hadn’t truly resolved the issues at hand, and instead, the conflicts had intensified.
Without directly responding, Nana changed the subject and asked with concern, “Let’s not talk about the distant future for now. I think you should bring your mother back home.”
“It’s alright. I’ll go to her hometown to fetch her in a while and also visit my relatives,” Carl casually replied, contemplating in his mind. If Mrs. Waters refused to make any concessions, he would marry Nana first and then bring his mother back home.
After all, they already had a daughter together, and what was done could not be undone.
“Nana, how about we have the wedding ceremony on the day we celebrate Janelle’s one-month birthday?” Carl eagerly proposed, thinking ahead and discussing it with Nana.
“Ah… wouldn’t the wedding be rushed?” Nana’s immediate reaction was to disagree, taking a step back.
“We can take care of the child together, but let’s delay the wedding a bit. It won’t hurt to wait until your mother calms down. I hope your major life event can have your mother’s blessings,” Nana advised, her tone caring.
Listening to Nana’s counsel, Carl carefully considered and realized she had a point.
“Then I’ll follow your advice. Janelle’s health is still weak, so we’ll hold the wedding ceremony a few months later,” he agreed with Nana’s suggestion. However, he requested to have his wife and child by his side.
After contemplating for a moment, Nana nodded in agreement, promising Carl that after her discharge, she would bring the child to live with him.
In the blink of an eye, the day of discharge arrived. After undergoing treatment, the child had mostly recovered and could be brought home for careful nurturing.
Nana’s weak body had also greatly improved, and her once haggard face gradually regained its luster.
On the day of discharge, Tracy was busy packing their belongings, while Jerry went upstairs to find the attending physician and retrieve Nana’s medical records.
Beside the hospital bed, Janelle was being carefully cradled in Nana’s arms, occasionally grinning at her mother.
Nana was directly melted by the cuteness of the little one and excitedly looked at Carl. “The baby is smiling at me! She definitely knows who I am!”
“Of course she does. Janelle came out of your belly,” Carl replied, enjoying the joy of being a new father.
The hospital room was filled with warmth and affection. However, in the corridor not far away, William stood frozen like a statue.