Wanted 4

Chapter 4 

At the hospice, there was always never ending medicine to take. 

Neither me nor Zoe could escape it. 

Every single day, we swallowed handfuls of pills. 

To trick Zoe into taking her meds, I bought her a big box of chocolates. 

The box was stuffed with all sorts of flavors. 

The chocolates were able to wash the taste of medicine away. 

Zoe loved those chocolates so much that I got her two big boxes for Christmas. 

Online shopping packages were usually left at the security room. 

Once Zoe found out about the two boxes, she was up bright and early, waiting right there. 

But before long, I heard a child’s earth-shattering wail downstairs. 

My heart clenched at once. 

I threw on a jacket and rushed out the door. 

But before I even stepped outside, the nurse, Lily, came rushing over. 

“Zoe’s gotten into a fight with someone,” she blurted out. 

Instantly, blood rose up my throat, and a violent coughing fit wracked my body. 

“Why did they fight?” I managed to ask between coughs. 

Lily hesitated, glancing at me. “A boy arrived and asked where your room was. Zoe heard and asked what he wanted with her mummy. 

“When the boy heard Zoe call you mummy, he totally snapped and went at her. He called her a bastard and yelled at her for stealing his mom.” 

Even more blood filled my mouth. 

I wondered if the boy was Keegan. 

When I reached the front desk, I discovered the boy who had fought with Zoe really was Keegan. 

Keegan’s eyes were all red, looking all defensive, as he glared at Zoe, who was crying her eyes out. 

When he saw me, he was stunned for a moment, 

Then he rushed straight over, his arms open. “Mummy, hug!” 

I looked at his outstretched hands and slowly pushed him away. 

I walked over and pulled Zoe-her eyes red and puffy-into my arms. 

“Mummy, why are you hugging her and not me?” Keegan stared at me in disbelief. 

I fixed my gaze on Keegan. “We’ll deal with this later. For now, apologize to Zoe first. You can’t hit people. Besides, Zoe’s sick.” 

The light in Keegan’s eyes went out. “Apologize to her? No way! 

“Why does she get to call you ‘mummy’? I’m your real kid! She took you away from me, so of course I hit her. Why won’t you hug me? Do you really not want me anymore?” He burst into tears. 

As Keegan’s cries echoed through the room, Brandon, who’d been quietly hanging back, finally stepped forward. 

“Why are you wearing a patient gown?” Brandon asked. 

It had been a while since I last saw Brandon, but he was still just as handsome as I remembered. 

However, he was really dense. 

I gave him a look, totally unimpressed. 

Instead of dealing with Keegan’s mess, Brandon just kept staring at me for no reason. 

Brandon didn’t seem to get the hint. 

He just kept going, “Why do you look so skinny? Did you do this on purpose? 

“You’re making yourself look so pitiful just to get my sympathy, hoping I’ll want you back. How can you be so scheming and vicious? 

“You just can’t stand to see me happy, can you?” 

My chest tightened all of a sudden, pain stabbing right through my heart. 

Even though I’d already decided to leave Brandon behind for good, hearing him say this still hurt like hell. 

I gave Brandon a mocking laugh. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I intended. Better leave now, before my bad luck rubs off on you.” 

I didn’t want to waste another second talking to them. I scooped up Zoe and turned to leave. 

But Brandon suddenly blocked my path. 

“You’re not leaving,” he said, his tone hard. “Come with me to Rhett City for a check-up. I won’t be at ease until I know you’re not sick. And don’t even think about trying to guilt-trip me.” 

Chapter 4 

When Brandon tried to grab me, I slapped him hard across the face. 

“Keep your hands off me,” I snapped. “Whether I’m sick or not is none of your damn business. 

65 vouchers 

“From the day we split, you and I are done. We’re mere strangers. Why don’t you take your precious son and go cozy up with Tanya? Don’t come here and gross me out.” 

We’d been married for seven years, and Brandon had always been so aloof and untouchable-never once had I ever treated him this way. 

He held a hand to his cheek, shot me a frosty glare, then scooped up Keegan-who was still bawling-and walked away. 

Zoe snuggled closer in my arms, reaching up to wipe my tears. 

“Mummy, don’t cry,” she whispered. “It didn’t hurt at all.” 

1 gently stroked Zoe’s face. “Okay, baby. Mummy won’t cry.” 

I refused to cry for people who didn’t matter anymore.