Waylen drove them to the hospital, parking the car in the lot. Before Rena could get out, Waylen stopped her, "Give me your phone.”

Confused, Rena handed him her phone. Waylen lit another cigarette, placing it between his lips as he entered a series of phone numbers into her contacts.

‘These numbers included those of the lab doctor, the emergency department doctor, the psychologist, the blood bank administrator, Alexis’ kindergarten teacher, and even the principal's number.

Once he finished inputting the numbers, Waylen returned Rena's phone. She looked at him, lost in thought.

He whispered gently, "Rena, I haven't been with any woman in the last three years, not even when I yearned for you at night. My personal life during these past three years was all about our daughter. I would have to put on my clothes and rush to the lab whenever I received a phone call, even in the middle of the night while I was sleeping, because Alexis was there..."

Rena found herself stunned by Waylen’s words

He continued in a hoarse voice, "I'm not saying this to gain your sympathy. I just want to tell you that if you decide to get involved and be Alexis’ mother, you might have no personal life like me. Do you still want to be her mother?"

His words struck a chord within Rena.

How could she ever abandon her daughter?

She looked at Waylen, her heart racing, uncertain of what to say.

Waylen reached out and gently caressed her face.

He knew that she was going through a difficult time, but he needed to be honest with her. He feared that she would blame him for Alexis’ current conditions.

If only he hadn't gone to Braseovell that fateful day, Rena probably wouldn't have been affected so badly by the explosion, and Alexis wouldn't have been so weak after her premature birth.

Rena remained silent, neither pushing him away nor uttering a word. As parents of such a special child, they needed to support each other through this journey.

After a long pause, Waylen withdrew his hand and said gently, "Go upstairs. I have a meeting later. You can pick up Alexis this aftemoon, and I'll pick her up in the evenin;

Rena nodded, her mind overwhelmed,

She almost ran away, not knowing what she was trying to escape from.

Was she avoiding Waylen's tenderness or the painful memories of the past?

Rena's mind wandered as she absentmindedly cut the fruit.

She nearly nicked her finger, making her involuntarily flinch.

Leaning against the sickbed, Eloise smiled softly and muttered, "Put it down. You might end up cutting yourself.”

Rena lowered her hand and called out softly, "Mom."