CHAPTER 111: CHAPTER 111: ALONE

Back in the hospital room.

Declan Hawthorne’s gaze was fixed on Florence Lynch.

He heard the commotion at the door.

Declan Hawthorne looked up at the entering Poppy Hale, "Did the teacher mention what Florence ate today?"

"Besides the meals provided by the kindergarten, she just had some snacks. It must be the snacks causing the issue."

The meals at the kindergarten undergo strict inspection procedures every day.

This expensive private kindergarten keeps a precise record of all the children’s eating habits.

Even issues like allergies are carefully avoided.

Food poisoning is almost impossible.

Poppy Hale didn’t know exactly which snack Florence ate either.

Sometimes kids sneak snacks to share with each other.

Sure enough, when Florence woke up, she was initially happy to see Declan Hawthorne and Poppy Hale.

She wasn’t in great spirits, lying there feebly, resting her head on Declan Hawthorne’s large palm.

Poppy Hale leaned down, "Florence, what did you eat today?"

"Anya’s brother gave me a chestnut cake, Mom, I didn’t finish it."

Ever since Anya went to kindergarten, she often brought something for Florence.

The teacher not knowing what Florence ate is understandable.

Poppy Hale’s phone rang.

Chloe Archer’s anxious voice came through the receiver.

"Poppy, is Florence food poisoned? My Anya is poisoned too, currently on an IV. He told me he also gave Florence a cake, oh dear! I’m really sorry!"

"I didn’t know that chestnut cake was expired. I had left it on the table to throw away, and Anya took it himself. How is Florence?"

Florence being food poisoned, and Anya having eaten quite a few chestnut cakes would have been worse.

Poppy Hale touched Florence’s forehead.

"She’s fine, the fever has gone down. How’s Anya?"

"Still has a fever, the doctor says it’s gastroenteritis. Which hospital is Florence at? I’ll cover the hospital expenses this time. I’m really sorry."

Poppy Hale told her the name of the hospital.

It wasn’t the same one as Anya’s.

"No need for the medical expenses, Anya didn’t do it on purpose. You just take care of Anya."

Firstly, Anya didn’t do it on purpose and meant well, sharing the snack with Florence.

Secondly, Declan Hawthorne had arranged for a private VIP ward, which wasn’t cheap per day; asking Chloe Archer to cover the medical expenses wasn’t necessary.

After hanging up, Florence blinked at Poppy Hale.

"Mom, is Anya’s brother sick too?"

"Yes, you can play together once you’re both better."

Florence nodded, her soft face rubbing against Declan Hawthorne’s palm.

"Will you both stay with me?"

Impossible to refuse.

Declan Hawthorne’s tone was gentle, "Yes, both Uncle and your mom are here."

Florence nodded.

After throwing up, she wasn’t in the mood to eat, only drank some warm milk before falling asleep.

Poppy Hale originally planned to let Declan Hawthorne go back, thinking she could stay here by herself.

Watching Florence fall asleep, Poppy Hale gently tugged on Declan Hawthorne’s sleeve.

"You should go back first, I’ll stay here."

She was fine, though she had a pile of work waiting, she was just a company drone anyway.

Her absence wouldn’t cause any losses.

Declan Hawthorne was different.

After all, he was the boss of the group.

Declan Hawthorne’s absence could stall many meetings.

"Making a promise to Florence and then breaking it? What impression do you want me to leave the child with, Florence’s mom?"

He spoke earnestly.

Poppy Hale was momentarily at a loss for words.

"What about your work?"

"Morgan Sloan will handle it."

Poppy Hale nodded.

She kept an eye on Florence while taking out her tablet from her bag, deciding to sketch instead.

Though she wasn’t very used to drawing on a tablet, constructing a rough sketch for client confirmation wasn’t a problem.

Declan Hawthorne got up and went out for a bit.

When he returned, he was carrying a lunch box.

"Have something to eat."

He handed Poppy Hale a set of utensils and opened a lunch box.

Both boxes contained the same dishes, probably bought from a nearby restaurant.

Poppy Hale glanced over, and Declan Hawthorne spoke.

Knowing what she was about to say.

"I had the kitchen at home make a meat porridge for Florence. It’ll be delivered later, so she can eat when she wakes up."

"Alright, thank you."

The boxed meal was rich in variety, including some sweet and sour ribs, stir-fried pork with peppers, and potato strips with vinegar.

Declan Hawthorne’s plate was the same.

Poppy Hale had no appetite, she put down her chopsticks after a few bites.

Declan Hawthorne focused on eating his share.

In his expensive suit, sitting in the children’s ward eating boxed lunch, he didn’t look out of place at all.

Instead, it seemed like he could seamlessly fit into any environment.

Poppy Hale watched Declan Hawthorne finish all the green peppers from his plate without expression.

Frowning slightly as he picked them up.

Yet he left nothing behind.

Declan Hawthorne didn’t like green peppers, something Poppy Hale had noticed back when they were dating.

He was quite picky.

But never showed it.

Back then Poppy Hale thought he was frugal because he came from a poor background.

But she made a point of not buying dishes with green peppers.

Reflecting on it now.

It was probably due to strict upbringing, not allowing him to be picky.

Poppy Hale picked up a single green pepper from her plate, bringing it to Declan Hawthorne’s face.

He glanced at it, about to take a bite, but she withdrew her chopsticks.

Poppy Hale softly said, "Can eat things you don’t like to eat?"

Declan Hawthorne was momentarily taken aback.

When he looked down at Poppy Hale, his gaze softened into a gentle, watery smile.

"It’s all the same."

With that smile, Poppy Hale felt slightly uncomfortable, turning her face away to focus back on the tablet’s screen.

The room fell silent.

The three of them were in the hospital room, but each was absorbed in their own tasks.

Poppy Hale drawing, Declan Hawthorne handling work on his phone, Florence curled up sleeping.

Time passed, and a few hours later, the door to the hospital room was pushed open.

A noisy little chubby kid dashed in.

"Florence, are you okay?"

Florence sat on the bed, nodding weakly.

"I’m okay."

Iris Quill entered with Heather Underwood and Mrs. Hawthorne in tow.

Declan Hawthorne stood up to take the lunch box from Mrs. Hawthorne’s hands.

"Mom, why did you come too?"

"Why didn’t you tell me Florence was sick? Are you trying to worry me to death! If Iris hadn’t come home and told me, I wouldn’t have even known the porridge you had the kitchen make was for Florence. I’d have added some tonics in it if I knew sooner!"

Seeing Florence sitting pale-faced on the bed, Mrs. Hawthorne was filled with concern.

She fussed over her for a while, soothing and kissing her, only for Florence to end up calming Mrs. Hawthorne.

Seeing Florence in distress brought tears to Mrs. Hawthorne’s eyes.

"Grandma Big Bear, I’m fine, don’t cry!"

Mrs. Hawthorne personally fed Florence some porridge, giving her peace of mind.

Witnessing the scene, Heather Underwood sighed.

Given this, one wonders if she’s really her biological granddaughter.

If she were, Mrs. Hawthorne might just take her heart out for Florence to play with.