Jasper felt immense guilt, as if countless ants were gnawing at his heart. He covered his face in sorrow. Sylvia and Franklin exchanged glances and silently left the hospital room.
“She will need nutrition when she wakes up. Let’s go get some food nearby,” Sylvia suggested as soon as they stepped out of the room. She took Franklin’s hand, his warm and dry grip calming her restless heart.
“Okay,” Franklin nodded. Her rare initiative stirred something within him, “Let’s go together.”
It had been a long time since they had walked together so quietly. They crossed the long corridor and entered the elevator. At this time, there weren’t many people in the hospital, and they were alone in the elevator.
As soon as they entered, Franklin pulled Sylvia into his arms and kissed her passionately. Sylvia stood on tiptoe to respond to him, her mind buzzing with his intense presence and unique scent. Franklin closed his eyes slowly, his thick eyelashes trembling slightly. He held Sylvia tightly as if she were a precious treasure, his Sylvia, the one he longed for.
The elevator dinged, interrupting their brief moment of intimacy. Reluctantly, Franklin released her, still sensing her lingering fragrance. His eyes were filled with deep emotion, “Honey…”
Sylvia’s heart trembled at his husky voice, “Let’s go.”
Hand in hand, they walked through the hospital lobby and out into the open air. The hospital grounds were spacious, and it took about four or five minutes to reach the entrance. They strolled leisurely, holding hands without speaking, cherishing these rare quiet moments together.
Outside the hospital, there were several restaurants and some beverage and fruit shops. They walked further and found a street lined with food stalls, eventually choosing a porridge shop.
“This porridge shop is a chain; it should be good. Let’s try this one,” Sylvia said after glancing at the decor and the menu.
“Alright,” Franklin agreed.
They entered the shop, which was about three or four hundred square meters with two floors and quite a few customers. “Let’s eat here first and then bring some food back for them,” Sylvia said, pushing the menu towards Franklin, “What do you want to eat?”
“You choose. I like everything you pick,” Franklin replied, thinking of how he used to insist on eating only what she cooked when he had psychological issues.
Sylvia shook her head helplessly. Wasn’t his psychological condition better now? She ordered two bowls of porridge, several small dishes with a mix of meat and vegetables, and two pancakes. Since most of the food was ready-made, it was served quickly.
“Hey-why do you two look so familiar?” The middle-aged waitress, who seemed to be learning makeup with her glittering eyeshadow, stared at Franklin for a moment before exclaiming, “Aren’t you the President’s son?”
Franklin’s hand holding the chopsticks froze: “…”
“Oh my, you’re even more handsome than on TV! Such a handsome face!” The waitress’s eyes blinked rapidly as she called over other staff members to look, “Come see, our country’s young master!”
“You must be mistaken. How could the President’s son be eating here? He would be at a five-star hotel,” Sylvia interrupted their excitement with a smile, “Many people say my husband looks like the President’s son. But unfortunately, we’re not.”
“Really?” The waitress seemed disappointed but still happy to see a handsome man and a beautiful woman.
The commotion quickly subsided. Sylvia propped her chin with her hand and looked at Franklin with her bright eyes, “You’ve become famous, more than me. When did you get on TV?”
“I was at a meeting with Jasper this morning. The camera might have caught me,” Franklin recalled seeing his nameplate: “President’s Son Franklin.” His eyes darkened slightly.
One day, he would have his own status and power, not just be known as someone’s son.
“So now everyone knows you’re a handsome guy,” Sylvia teased as she took a piece of bread. “The porridge and side dishes here are quite good for patients.”
Franklin didn’t respond and started eating. Although the earlier incident had passed, some customers in the restaurant still took photos of Sylvia and Franklin. Their good looks attracted attention, and someone posted on social media comparing Franklin to the President’s son.
“This… seems like the same person?”
“I think it’s the same person.”
“I discovered something! The President’s son on TV and the handsome guy in the porridge shop are wearing identical suits and watches!”
“Who’s the beautiful lady sitting with him?”
The comparison post quickly trended as “President’s Son Dines with Mysterious Girlfriend at Porridge Shop!”
Sylvia and Franklin couldn’t help but laugh at the news.
“Just having a meal can make us trend,” Sylvia said as they carried buns and small dishes back to the hospital.
“These people are really bored,” Franklin smirked, holding Sylvia’s soft hand with his free one. “You’re not mysterious; you’re the legitimate daughter of the Hipps Family.”
“If I knew we’d trend, I might as well have admitted you’re the President’s son!” Sylvia pouted, annoyed by the speculation.
They soon returned to the hospital room where Jasper was still by Evie’s bedside.
“Eat something first; she might wake up tomorrow morning,” Sylvia suggested gently.
Franklin placed the food on the table, “Eat.”
Jasper looked up at Sylvia with a haggard face, “Madam, I’m really sad and guilty. How could I be so useless…”
“Enough of that. Pull yourself together. You can have more children in the future. If not naturally, then through other methods,” Sylvia said firmly. “As for Evie, you need to make things official between you two. This was an accident; what about next time? You’re a man; you can’t keep leaving her without any security.”
Jasper nodded heavily. Evie had nearly lost her life because of him. That night had been his initiative. As a man, he needed to take responsibility.
Jasper immediately texted Mrs. Howlett, “Mom, bring the family heirloom when you come.”
Mrs. Howlett had been crying in Geoff’s arms after hearing about Evie’s ectopic pregnancy. She replied with a voice message full of sobs, “What did you say? Son?”
Jasper repeated his message, “Bring the family heirloom.”
The family had an heirloom jade bracelet meant for their daughter-in-law. Mrs. Howlett had never worn it herself but now…
Mrs. Howlett was stunned and called Jasper directly instead of texting.
“Are you crazy? She had one of her fallopian tubes removed! What if she can’t have children in the future? Do you want to end our family line?”
Jasper coldly replied, “I caused her ectopic pregnancy. Mom, I always thought you were reasonable. Are you asking me to abandon her now?”
Mrs. Howlett was taken aback by her son’s righteous words. Though she hadn’t spent much time with Evie, she knew she was a good girl who stayed by Sylvia’s side.
Her heart ached even more as she cried out loudly, “My poor Evie! How could fate be so cruel to you!”
Geoff tried to comfort her, “Dear, they’re still young. With proper care, she’ll recover. The doctor said there’s still a chance for them to have children.”
“No matter what happens, Evie is more important than having children,” Jasper said before hanging up.
At that moment, Evie slowly opened her eyes on the hospital bed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She looked at Jasper sadly, “I heard everything you said.”
She had an ectopic pregnancy and lost one of her fallopian tubes. She might never have children again…
“Evie, don’t worry. The ectopic pregnancy was my fault for not taking care of you properly. Once you’re discharged, we’ll get married,” Jasper held her cold hand tightly and looked at her with deep affection, “I love you! I will only love you for my entire life!”