Chapter 297

The hospital corridor was so quiet it was almost creepy. The sharp smell of disinfectant mixed with a trace of something floral, stinging Lucie's nose as she walked.

"Are we there yet?” Lucie's hand tightened around the handle of her suitcase. Her fingers brushed the embossed pattern on the velvet box inside, like she was holding onto her last bit of courage.

June stopped in front of a closed door. "This is it. Mrs. Pitts has been sitting with him for three days. We just now convinced her to take a break in the lounge."

Right then, the lounge door swung open. A woman in an ivory suit stepped out. Her hair was a little messy, dark circles under her eyes, looking completely worn out. Still, there was no hiding the elegance in the way she held herself.

June jumped in to introduce them. “Lucie, this is Elio's mom."

Lucie's heart thudded, but she managed a polite greeting. "Hi, Mrs. Pitts."

"Mrs. Pitts, this is Lucie. The friend I mentioned."

Joanna's eyes narrowed as she looked Lucie up and down. "So you're Lucie?"

Lucie straightened, a little tense. “Hello, Mrs. Pitts. I just wanted to see Elio. Is he any better?"

Joanna's face turned even more severe, her tone icy and distant. She already knew everything about her son's whereabouts. She'd heard all about the girl he was chasing—and that this accident was somehow part of it.

She'd had Lucie checked out, too. In their world, connections meant everything. Families with political influence looked down on those who were just wealthy, because those ties brought no extra power and could even be a liability. She wanted her son to be with someone like June, someone from the same world.

Lucie's background and education were impressive, sure. But if she hadn't been divorced with a child, maybe Joanna would've considered her.

"So you're the one who's turned my son upside down?" Joanna's words cut like glass, dripping with judgment. Lucie had only gone public with her divorce a week ago. Now, just three months after splitting up, she was tangled up with Elio? Joanna had no patience for women like that.

Lucie felt a sting in her chest. "...Mrs. Pitts, Elio and I are just friends."

"When I heard about his accident, I was really upset. I only wanted to see if he's okay. That's all. Nothing more."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I just want to see him."

Joanna let out a cold snort, clearly unimpressed. Her oldest son was always away with a special government unit, barely ever home. Elio was all she had now. There was no way she'd let a divorced woman anywhere near him.

Lucie felt like she was shrinking under that glare. "Please, Mrs. Pitts, let me see him. Just for a minute."

Joanna stepped in front of the door, her stare like a wall of ice. "That won't be necessary. My son needs to rest. He doesn't need any unnecessary visitors."

Lucie's grip on her suitcase was so tight her knuckles went white. She'd always expected this. She'd known from the start that Elio's parents would never accept her. That was why she'd tried to keep her heart locked up.

"I just care about his safety, that's all. There's no need to treat me like the enemy. We really are just friends."

Joanna's mouth twisted into a cold smile. "Ms. Anderson, your divorce was barely finalized three months ago and already you're hanging around my son. Now that he's hurt you show up acting all concerned? Seems to me you're just using him for attention."

June looked panicked, trying to step in. "Mrs. Pitts, it's not what you think. Lucie—"

"June, stay out of this." Joanna cut

her off, her eyes never leaving Lucie.

"Ms. Anderson, the Pitts family may not be sitting at the V

top, but we won't tolerate social climbers. When Elio wakes up, I'll make sure be

keeps his distance. You don't need to come back."

It felt like a needle had stabbed Lucie right in the heart. Her throat burned with unshed words. She took a shaky breath, opened her suitcase, and pulled out the velvet box She held it out gently Mrs. Pits know you have your doubts about me, but I really am just here for Elio. I promised him this gift for good luck. Please, could you-"

“Take your things and go. My son doesn't need anything from you." Joanna's voice

was glacial, her eyes even colder.

She didn't like Lucie one bit, but even she had to admit the woman was striking. Delicate, beautiful, almost heartbreakingly so. No wonder her son had fallen head over heels.

Lucie's heart felt heavy, her worry turning into helplessness.

Suddenly, a nurse burst out of the hospital room, face flushed with excitement. "Ma'am, your son's awake!"

"What? Elio's awake?"

Joanna spun around, joy lighting up her face as all the coldness melted away. She didn't spare Lucie another glance, just rushed straight into the room. "My boy, you're finally awake!"