Sorry, Mom.
From the way Charles was staring longingly in the lady's direction, his father understood that he wanted to move over to her.
This was the first time his son would prefer someone to carry him when he was in his father's hands and Jace was without doubt not comfortable with that development.
He couldn't help but wonder what would have transpired in that restroom that day?
When Caden had told him about his son's attachment to the young lady before him, he had felt that he was exaggerating.
But as Charles became more unbearable in his tantrums, he knew it was serious, but he never expected that it would get to the point of him preferring the company of a total stranger to his own father.
"She is injured and can't hold you," Jace rebuked, a little too harshly.
Charles had no choice but to make do with his father's arms for the meantime but his eyes never left Grace who was trying her best to make herself invisible.
Jace's intimidating aura had filled the entire space, leaving her feeling uneasy and restless despite the opulent interior of the large car.
It was more suffocating than having ten people in a space meant for two.
She couldn't wait for the journey to be over so she could escape his overpowering presence.
When they finally arrived at the hospital, she practically leapt out of the car, forgetting about her ankle in her haste to escape.
But before she could take a step, she felt herself losing her balance. In an instant, strong arms wrapped around her, steadying her and preventing her from falling.
Looking up, Grace found herself caught in Jace's embrace, his concerned gaze locked with hers.
Despite his outward intimidating exterior, she saw nothing but genuine concern in his blue eyes which were the same hue with hers.
And for the first time in her life, she felt the urge to lean into a man's embrace, but it was just a fleeting thought that she quickly discarded and wriggled out of Jace's embrace.
However she winced almost immediately as her swollen ankle protested against the sudden impact on the ground again.
"Are you alright?" Jace asked, his voice laced with worry.
"I was a little too fast, but I'll be fine," Grace said, trying to brush off his concern.
"Quick Suresh, get the wheelchair," he said to his assistant.
"I can walk in by myself."
"At this rate you'll get there by tomorrow morning," Jace said sarcastically. "Or do you prefer I carried you in?" he threatened to the astonishment of Suresh and Randall.
What was going on with the boss all of a sudden. They've never seen him show this much concern for anybody, except the young master and of course the Madam when she was alive.
Was it because this young lady saved the young master just now?
"No, no, no. I'll use the wheelchair," Grace quickly rejected, a shade of red already creeping up her flawless face.
Jace did well to hide the spasmed corner of his mouth by going to carry Charles from the car, but he was surprised that the guy had already passed through the other door to stand beside Grace.
The wheelchair arrived shortly afterwards and Grace sat in it as a nurse wheeled her into the hospital.
In the examination room, Grace sat on the examination table, her face twisting in discomfort as the doctor gently adjusted her sprained ankle. She clenched her teeth, trying to suppress the pain coursing through her legs.
"Sorry. Almost done," the doctor comforted her in a soft voice.
Grace nodded, her breath shallow and quick. She gripped the edges of the table tightly, her knuckles turning white.
"Just a little more…" continued the doctor and with a final adjustment, the doctor finished.
Grace let out a faint groan, unable to completely stifle the pain that shot through her ankle.
Jace, who was observing the whole process, shot the doctor a fierce glare causing the doctor to tremble unconsciously.
"Is she okay?" Jace asked urgently.
Grace did her best to endure the pain and nodded, forcing a small smile despite the discomfort. "It's okay."
"She'll be fine. It's just a sprain," the doctor summoned the courage to say.
Just as the tension in the room began to ease, a soft voice broke the silence.
"Sorry, Mom."
Everyone turned to look at the direction where the voice had come from.
Charles, who was standing beside his father with his eyes wide and filled with worry, clutched onto his father's pant leg as he felt the gaze on him.
"Huh?!" Grace's heart skipped a beat, stunned by the unexpected address.
Jace's expression mirrored Grace's shock, his eyes wide with disbelief- Charles had never spoken since he was born, let alone addressed anyone as "Mom."
"Charles… did…did you just say "Mom?" Jace asked incredulously.
Charles ignored his father and cast an innocent look at Grace, oblivious of the weight of his words, causing Jace's astonishment to deepen inexplicably.
"I… I can't believe this," Jace muttered to himself, still overwhelmed by the shock.
Grace was equally speechless and shared a bewildered glance with Jace, both trying to comprehend the unexpected turn of events in their minds.
"I…em… thank you, Charles." she finally said.
And for the first time saw something like a smile on the little boy's face but it vanished almost immediately.
Jace's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he watched his son in awe.
'Is this a dream or reality?' if it was a dream, he doesn't want to wake up.
"Em.. Take these. They should help with the pain," the doctor said, breaking the thick fog that seemed to have gathered in the room.
He had no clue about what was going on since he was not the personal doctor to President Brandon.
He only came as he had requested for the best orthopedic surgeon in the hospital. He didn't know it was a mere sprained ankle that he was called to adjust, but who was he to say that to the President of the most richest company in SF.