Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Mother Knows She’s with Ethan Linden
’He’s being evasive now, surely because he’s worried about the Linden Family!’
Anne Sutton asked Nathan Fawcett, "When is Ian getting discharged? Did the doctor say?"
Nathan Fawcett said, "He’s pretty much ready."
Anne Sutton said, "Then let’s check him out as soon as his IV drip is finished. I can tell he’s getting sick of being stuck in the hospital."
Ian said, "Can we go home now? That’s great! I don’t want to come back to the hospital ever again! The hospital isn’t fun at all."
He was the kind of kid who tried to hide just from getting a shot.
Being stuck in the hospital on an IV drip was actually pretty tough on him.
Anne Sutton said, "When we get back home, I’ll make you something delicious."
"Thank you, Anne," Ian said sweetly.
Anne Sutton took their things downstairs. She was busy until late in the afternoon, when she came back up to check Ian out of the hospital with Nathan Fawcett.
Nathan Fawcett was carrying him, and as he rested his head on his father’s shoulder, he said, "I want Anne to hold me."
Hearing this, Nathan Fawcett said, "You’re too heavy. She can’t carry you."
Ian said, "I’m not heavy! Anne, can you carry me?"
Anne Sutton said, "I can carry him."
Ian was only three, so it wasn’t as if she couldn’t carry him.
Nathan Fawcett said, "That’s not necessary. We can do that when we get to the car. Don’t spoil him."
Nathan Fawcett glanced at Ian and said, "What’s wrong? Not happy with your dad carrying you?"
He wouldn’t hand the child over to her, no matter what.
Even if she could manage, it would definitely be a strain.
Ian said, "I’m not happy."
Nathan Fawcett looked at him and, deciding not to argue with his own son, stepped into the elevator.
Anne Sutton followed the father and son to the parking garage.
She knew Nathan Fawcett was just worried it would be too difficult for her.
...
Once they were in the car, Nathan Fawcett finally handed Ian over to Anne Sutton.
Anne Sutton held Ian. ’Even though he isn’t my child,’ she thought, ’the time I spend with him are the happiest days of my life.’
Anne Sutton, sitting beside them, asked Nathan Fawcett, "Will Ian’s mother ever come back?"
Hearing her question, Nathan Fawcett glanced over. He saw her gazing at Ian, her eyes filled with a deep longing.
He asked, "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
’Ian’s mother *is* her!’
’She’s already back!’
Anne Sutton said, "I’m just curious."
’I don’t want to get too attached to Ian, to treat him like my own child, only to have someone show up later to take him away from me.’
Nathan Fawcett said, "There’s nothing to be curious about. She’s dead."
Hearing this, Anne Sutton looked at him in surprise. "How did she die?"
"She died during childbirth," Nathan Fawcett lied.
Hearing this, Anne felt she had asked a terrible question. She looked down at Ian, letting him sleep in her arms, and said no more.
About halfway through the drive, Anne Sutton’s phone rang.
She glanced at the screen and saw it was a call from Sharon Sutton. Anne answered, "Hello."
"Sis," Sharon Sutton’s voice was tense. "Mom’s suddenly throwing a fit and demanding to be discharged from the hospital."
"What’s going on?" Anne Sutton asked, confused. She had just visited her mother at noon, and they had agreed on everything. She’d told her she was going to transfer her to her own hospital.
Sharon Sutton said, "Auntie Shields just came by. She told Mom she heard that you stole Stella’s fiancé, and Mom got furious. I know you wouldn’t do something like that, so maybe you should come and explain it to her."
Anne Sutton never expected something like this would happen.
’Me, steal Stella Shields’s fiancé?’
’How ridiculous!’
Anne Sutton said, "Put her on the phone."
"She won’t listen. She’s just dead set on being discharged."
...
Anne Sutton hung up and glanced at Nathan Fawcett. "There’s a problem with my mom. I need to go to Second Hospital."
Seeing her worried expression, Nathan Fawcett asked, "What’s wrong?"
Anne Sutton said, "My mother is demanding to be discharged. She just had surgery and hasn’t recovered yet. She can’t leave now."
Upon hearing this, Nathan Fawcett simply told the driver to head for Second Hospital.
Anne Sutton set Ian down and said to Nathan Fawcett, "Just take Ian straight home later. You don’t need to worry about me."
Nathan Fawcett didn’t reply.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance, Anne Sutton hopped out of the car.
...
Nathan Fawcett looked at Ian, then said to the driver, "Take the young master home first."
The driver nodded. "Yes, sir."
...
Anne Sutton ran all the way to the hospital room. Inside, Sharon Sutton was trying to reason with their mother. "Mom, please don’t be like this. You’re in no condition to go out right now. Sis is on her way. Can’t you just wait for her? I’m sure things aren’t what Auntie Shields said."
Mrs. Sutton said, "Don’t try to talk me out of it."
Anne Sutton pushed open the door. When Sharon Sutton and Mrs. Sutton saw her, they both fell silent.
Sharon Sutton said anxiously, "Sis, you’re finally here! Quick, come talk some sense into Mom."
Anne Sutton looked at her mother. "We already agreed I’d transfer you to another hospital tomorrow. Why are you making a scene about checking out now?"
Mrs. Sutton’s eyes were red-rimmed. She looked at Anne Sutton and asked, "Are you with Ethan Linden?"
Hearing her mother’s question, Anne Sutton nodded. "Yes."
Seeing Anne nod, Sharon Sutton was stunned. "Sis..."
She had met Stella Shields. She knew about her and Ethan Linden; not only did they have a child together, but they were also planning to get married.
At least, that’s what Auntie Shields had been saying all along.
’If Anne is with Ethan Linden now, doesn’t that make her the other woman?’
Tears immediately streamed down Mrs. Sutton’s face. She looked at Anne and said, "I wanted you to be with Justin before, and you gave me so many excuses. You wouldn’t listen, and you said it all so righteously that I actually believed you! I never imagined that you only rejected him so you could be with Ethan Linden! Don’t you know he’s Stella’s fiancé? They even have a child together! How could you do such a thing? You’re a homewrecker! People will slander you for this, don’t you understand?"
Anne Sutton said, "It’s not what they’re saying. Stella Shields and Ethan Linden aren’t together, and the child isn’t hers. Mom, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I haven’t wronged anyone by being with Ethan Linden."
Mrs. Sutton retorted, "Now you’ve learned to lie through your teeth! I admit, that Ethan Linden is wealthy and successful, but he’s out of your league. Have you ever thought about it? He has money and status. What reason would he have to be with a widow like you instead of marrying Stella?"
"Is that how you see me, too?" Anne Sutton looked at her mother, hurt. "I thought you loved me more than anyone in the world. But it turns out that even in your eyes, I’m just someone who doesn’t deserve to be happy. Is that it? Because I’m a widow, I’m not supposed to be with anyone?"
"That’s not what I think," Mrs. Sutton said. "Don’t twist my words. I just don’t think you should be with Ethan Linden! Everyone knows he’s with Stella. You’re going to be vilified! If you’re going to be like this, what’s the point of me even living? I might as well just die!"
As she spoke, she resumed packing her belongings.
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