CHAPTER 133: FAMILIAR FACES

The doctor nodded slowly, his expression softening as he adjusted his glasses.

"I see... Ms. Lincolm. Then, I apologize again for the assumption."

He sat down behind his desk, motioning for me to take the chair across from him.

"Ehem—what I meant earlier," he continued, "is that Cairo seems to carry an emotional weight that affects his heart condition. When he was first confined here, he often mentioned he missed his mom dearly. And..." the doctor trailed off, glancing at me with a knowing look. "it turns out that someone was you."

My lips parted slightly. "Me?"

He nodded. "Yes. He would tell the nurses that he wanted to see you. There were even nights he’d wake up crying, saying he wanted to see you. His heart rate would spike during those moments, then slowly calm when we reassured him that you were coming to visit."

My chest tightened, guilt and regret washing over me.

"Children like Cairo are very sensitive," the doctor went on. "They might not say things directly, but their hearts, both physically and emotionallybreact strongly to absence and affection alike. When you started being there for him again, we noticed a change. His vitals stabilized faster, he smiled more, and his overall condition improved. But earlier, when I mistakenly called you his nanny, his heart rate spiked. His emotions are deeply connected to his health. So if you truly want him to stay strong and ready for his heart surgery, please keep him happy. Don’t let him feel too much stress or emotional strain. Avoid anything that could exhaust him."

I swallowed hard. "I... I understand. I’ll remember that."

I didn’t even know what to say at that moment. How could I have been so selfish before—lying to Cairo, not realizing how much it hurt him?

I should’ve known better than anyone how fragile his condition was, when simply feeling a strong emotion could almost cost him his life.

The doctor offered me a gentle smile. "Don’t worry anymore, Ms. Lincolm. Now that you’re here, you’ve done more for his recovery than any of us could. Sometimes, love heals more effectively than medicine."

For a long moment, I couldn’t speak. My fingers tightened around the hem of my sleeve as his words sank in.

Love heals...

The doctor opened a small drawer and took out a prescription pad, writing something down before tearing the paper free. "These are Cairo’s updated medications," he said, handing it to me. "Make sure he takes them regularly. And, if possible, stay close to him. He needs stability and he needs you."

I nodded, my throat tightening as I managed a faint, grateful smile. "Thank you, Doctor. I’ll make sure he gets everything he needs."

When I left the office and returned to the examination room, I immediately saw Cairo sitting on the hospital bed, chatting cheerfully with the nurse. The moment he spotted me, his face lit up with a bright smile.

And right then, I finally understood what the doctor meant.

My presence was everything to him and my love for him was already healing him in ways I could never imagine.

I couldn’t let fear or guilt stop me anymore. I needed to make him happy, no matter what it took and no matter what it cost me.

"Mom!"

Cairo called out with a wide grin, holding his arms out as I walked closer. I quickened my steps, smiling back as he reached for me eagerly.

"Mom, are we finally going home now?" he asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.

My heart softened. He was calling me Mom again.

If only I hadn’t been such a coward before... Maybe he wouldn’t have had to feel so disappointed in me back then. I should’ve known better than anyone how deeply my actions could affect his fragile heart.

From now on, I promised myself that all he would ever feel from me was happiness, warmth, and the kind of love he should’ve always had.

"There’s somewhere we need to go first," I said gently, brushing his hair aside. "Will you come with me?"

"Yes!" he replied instantly, his grin widening. "I’ll go wherever you go, Mom!"

*************

Moments later...

I took a deep breath as I stepped into Sylvincolm Bistro, the restaurant where I worked. My hand instinctively went to my chest as nervousness tightened it.

I had to gather every ounce of courage I had left to do this, to ask for another leave of absence, this time for the kids’ birthday tomorrow.

The moment I walked in, I could feel the eyes of my coworkers on me. Some even looked surprised. I couldn’t blame them, I was nearly an hour late, and I had brought a child with me.

Maybe they thought I was shameless for always coming up with excuses whenever I was absent. Maybe they were hoping this time I’d finally get fired. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if I did.

But to my surprise, the reaction I got wasn’t what I expected at all.

Instead of anger, my manager’s face softened the moment she saw us walk in.

"Sylvia," she said, standing from behind the counter. "You’re back!"

She smiled faintly, glancing at Cairo. "And this must be your son."

My heart skipped. She knew?

"Come to my office," she said kindly. "We need to talk."

Cairo looked up at me, a little worried. I forced a reassuring smile. "It’s okay, sweetheart. Stay here and wait for me for a bit, alright?"

He nodded obediently as one of the waitresses offered to sit with him.

And as I followed my manager toward her office, my stomach churned. Am I about to lose my job this time?

"So, Sylvia, what is it this time?" my manager asked with a faint smile. "You’ve been absent more often than usual, so I’m not even surprised anymore that you’re here to ask for another leave of absence. Is it for today or tomorrow?"

I lowered my head in embarrassment, unable to meet her eyes. She sighed softly and gave a small nod, as if she had already expected my answer.

"For tomorrow, ma’am," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "It’s just that... it’s my kids’ birthday tomorrow."

"Seems like he was right again...." She murmured under her breath.

"Ma’am?"

"Nothing.." she said quickly, shaking her head.

"Sylvia, I need to be honest with you. Your absences have started causing some issues among the other employees. But..." she paused, folding her hands on the desk. "the owner of this restaurant still wants to give you another chance. He’s seen how dedicated you are when you’re here and the customers seem to really like you. So instead of letting you go, he wants to see you work harder, to balance both your job and your responsibilities as a mother."

Relief washed over me, and I immediately bowed my head.

"Thank you so much, ma’am really, thank you."

"But before that," she added with a weary sigh, rubbing her temple, "today’s been exhausting. We’re short on staff, and I really need your help right now."

My smile faded slightly. "But... I have my son with me."

She glanced past me through the glass door, where Cairo was quietly waiting outside. "It’s alright. He seems like a good boy and doesn’t look like the naughty type. He can stay in the corner and play quietly while you work. It’s just for today, Sylvia. I really need someone to serve our VIP customers and I want you to handle them before I approve your leave for tomorrow."

I hesitated, glancing once more at Cairo, who was peeking curiously into the office. "Alright, ma’am. Thank you again."

However, the moment the so-called VIP customers arrived, I froze in place, my entire body going rigid as I watched through the glass doors, familiar faces stepping out of their luxury cars.

My breath hitched, and my mind screamed for me to run but I couldn’t move.

I didn’t know what would happen if I suddenly walked out in the middle of my shift. I needed this job... and yet, the thought of facing them made my knees tremble.

The moment the VIP guests entered the restaurant, I quickly lowered my head.

"Wow, this place is quite nice. I didn’t know such a luxurious restaurant existed so close to the company. Did you find this place, Ingrid?"

"Yes, Mom," came a familiar voice. "My friends told me this restaurant is owned by the Lincolm family, so I got curious and wanted to see it myself."

Lincolm?

My lips went dry as my hands curled into fists at my sides.

This... this restaurant belonged to the Lincolm family?

A cold realization sank into my chest.

So that’s why I was never fired, even after all those absences. Maybe it wasn’t luck at all. Maybe the owner was Sylvester—or Stephenson. Maybe they knew I was working here all along.

My heart pounded. If they really do know, then that means they’ve been keeping an eye on me this whole time.

Before I could process it any further, my manager approached the VIP guests with a warm smile.

"Welcome to Sylvistro Resto, Mrs. Hariston and Miss Ingrid," she greeted politely. "We’ve reserved one of our best tables for you."

I flinched the moment I heard their names.

"Sylvia," my manager suddenly called, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Please attend to our VIP guests. Make sure they’re comfortable."

I froze.

"Ma’am, maybe... maybe someone else could do it. I think I’m feeling sick t-today..."

"What are you saying? You already agreed. Can you attend to them just this once? Please, they’re waiting." she whispered before turning back to the guests with a polite smile.

I swallowed hard, my palms starting to sweat. Slowly, I turned toward the table where they had just sat down.

With trembling steps, I approached them, clutching my notepad so tightly that my knuckles turned white while my chest grew heavier.

"Good afternoon, ma’am," I said softly, keeping my head low to avoid their eyes. "Welcome to Sylvistro Resto. May I take your order?"

There was a brief pause—then,

"Wait..." Ingrid’s voice faltered. "You... look familiar."

My breath hitched.

And when I finally forced myself to look up, our eyes met—hers wide in disbelief, mine trembling with fear.