Babies' Secret: My Ex Wants Me Back!
Chapter 24: Do you like Mommy?

Chapter 24: Do you like Mommy?

Chapter 24

The soft, continuous beep of the heart monitor filled the room as the curtains swayed gently with the breeze from the half-open window. Katherine sat beside Jasmine’s bed, her fingers gently brushing the little girl’s hand as she whispered, "Mommy’s here, baby... mommy’s here."

Her baby girl was now okay—just for her to wake up.

Katherine felt a slight move and her heart thudded, quickly looking at her hand that was grabbed by Jasmine.

Katherine pressed the emergency button to inform the doctor, and within some minutes, a nurse and a doctor came rushing in.

"What happened?" the nurse breathed out, checking for any issue with the IV and the monitor.

"Nothing, it’s just that—" Katherine trailed off, showing the nurse her held hand, and the nurse smiled.

"Your daughter is reacting to your voice. She’s conscious now and she’ll soon wake up."

And on cue, Jasmine’s eyelids fluttered open slowly, the harsh light from the overhead bulb making her squint. Her eyes moved, unfocused at first, before they locked on Katherine’s worried face.

"M-Mommy?" Her voice was croaky, dry.

"See?" the nurse shrugged her shoulders and left the room.

Katherine gasped, tears pooling in her eyes immediately as she used her hands to cover her mouth while she nodded in gratitude to the nurse. "Yes, baby. Mommy’s here." She leaned in and kissed Jasmine’s forehead, her hand trembling as she gently cupped her daughter’s cheek. "You are okay, baby. You scared me," she mumbled, her voice cracked.

Jasmine’s face twisted in pain, her little fingers curling around Katherine’s own. "My back hurts..."

"I know, sweetheart. You fell from the swing. But you’re going to be okay now. The doctors are taking care of you." Katherine could barely get the words out as the lump in her throat threatened to choke her.

"Is Hanith okay?"

"He’s okay. He’s been waiting outside for you."

There was a pause, then Jasmine’s curious gaze drifted behind her mother, to the man standing just a few feet from the bed, silently watching.

"Aaron," Katherine called softly, wiping her cheeks. "Come."

Aaron stepped forward slowly, his tall frame casting a shadow across the bed. Jasmine’s big eyes followed him cautiously. She stared at him dumbfounded—Uncle Mathew wasn’t here, yet it was Uncle Piano that was with her.

Meanwhile, Aaron was panicking inside. What if Jasmine didn’t accept him like Hanith? What if she chose that blond hair over him? He could feel his heart quicken as his hands began to clam with sweat.

"This is..." Katherine cleared her throat and slowly rubbed Jasmine’s hand. "Baby, this is your father."

Aaron’s heart tightened, his breath hitched, waiting for Jasmine’s reaction—her rejection. He watched Jasmine’s gaze flicker again, this time between Katherine and him. And he felt lack of breath, making his eyes glisten with tears.

"You’re... my daddy?" Jasmine asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Aaron opened his mouth, breathing through it as he nodded slowly. "Yes, I am."

Jasmine stared at him, a long silence as Aaron could hear the race of his heart beating in his ears. Anticipation, rejection, withdrawal—all bad thoughts whirling in his head.

"Where were you all this time?" she asked bluntly, and Aaron’s breath caught in his throat. He didn’t expect her accusation, and it felt like a painful jab in his throat that could nearly knock him down. "All my friends have a daddy. You weren’t there. Mommy said it was complicated. But I don’t understand."

Aaron moved closer to Jasmine, squatting gently at her eye level on the bed. "You’re right," he admitted. "I wasn’t there. And I’m so sorry, Jasmine. I should have been. I missed so much... but I’m here now. And I don’t want to miss another moment."

Jasmine furrowed her brows in thought. "Do you like Mommy?"

Aaron quickly shot Katherine, who looked away, a glance. His upper lip twitched with a faint smile, then he nodded his head. "But it’s—"

"Complicated?" Jasmine piped in.

Aaron rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, caught off guard by her choice of word. "Yeah... exactly."

"Okay," she said softly, then looked at Katherine. "Can I have water?"

Katherine quickly reached out for the cup on the table and helped her sip.

Hanith walked in with Matthew, still holding onto his hand tightly like a lifeline. His eyes scanned the room, stopping at Jasmine first, then flicking to Aaron. And he moved closer to Matthew, uninterested in being near Aaron.

Aaron flinched at the rejection. At least Jasmine was taking it better than Hanith.

Jasmine smiled faintly at her brother. "I’m fine, Hanith."

Hanith nodded and stepped closer, but when Aaron tried to say something to him, Hanith turned his face, quietly leaning into Matthew’s arm.

Aaron moved back. He shouldn’t interrupt the twins’ moment. But the withdrawal stung again.

Katherine didn’t miss the look Aaron and Matthew were throwing at each other. Both men were staring and standing like some opposing force, which she didn’t like.

"Okay," Katherine said, clearing her throat, pulling their attention while clapping her hands, "That’s enough crowding for now. Jasmine needs rest."

Matthew nodded immediately, gently taking Hanith’s hand and turning to face Aaron with a sneaky smile. "Come on, champ. Let’s grab a snack, hmm?"

Hanith nodded. As Matthew turned to leave with Hanith, he gave Katherine a long look, and she understood.

"I’m okay."

Katherine sighed and turned to Aaron. "I’ll stay here with her. You should head back. Rest."

Aaron stared at her for a moment, his gaze softened. "I’ll come back first thing in the morning."

Katherine nodded. "Okay."

When he finally left the hospital, it was already past ten. The night was quiet, the roads nearly empty as he drove back to the hotel. The weight of the day pressed on him, physically and emotionally.

As soon as he stepped into the suite, the smell of perfume and wine hit his nostrils. Amanda was standing in the middle of the living room, her arms crossed, wearing a silk robe. A wine glass sat forgotten on the counter.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up," her voice was slurred as she stood up wobbly.

Aaron stared at her with disinterest and started taking off his jacket, throwing it on the sofa.

"Where the hell have you been?" Amanda demanded, staggering toward him. "Don’t even try lying! I know exactly where you were—WITH HER!"

Aaron turned to leave to his bedroom. He didn’t have the energy to deal with her tantrum tonight. He was tired and still feeling a little dizzy. He needed a nice shower and sleep to recover and go to the hospital in the morning. Amanda’s nasal voice was forgotten in the background until that statement reached his hearing.

"You’ve been with that whore, haven’t you?!"

And that was it. Aaron’s eyes darkened with anger, his hands clenched into a fist as he took a predatory step toward her. "Never in your life call her that again," he growled. His voice was an octave lower and cold. "Not once. Not ever," he enunciated, his voice vibrating through the room.

Amanda’s eyes widened in shock as she released a fearful gasp, her body trembling.

Aaron didn’t wait for her nonsense. He turned sharply and headed straight for his bedroom, his body still vibrating with anger, ignoring the way Amanda’s voice cracked behind him.

"You always lose your temper when it’s about her," she screamed, her voice shaky. "Always her."

Aaron opened his bedroom door. He didn’t respond to her and shut the door behind him with a click.