âMommyâs just going to grab a towel to wipe your forehead,â Ariana whispered gently, sensing her daughterâs fear.
This reassured Adele, though her gaze remained locked on Ariana.
Returning shortly, Ariana tenderly wiped the sweat from Adeleâs face with the towel.
She then asked softly, âAdele, are you feeling hungry? Mommy can make you something to eat.
â
âIâm hungry,â Adele responded slowly, nodding.
âI want strawberry pancakes.
â
Ariana paused, hesitating.
Strawberry pancakes were only available in the restaurant between half past four and six oâclock in the afternoon.
Her eyes flicked to the wardâs clock-just past four.
Beside her, Adele tugged gently at her clothes, eyes wide with expectation.
Arianaâs gaze softened as she met her daughterâs hopeful look.
Without a momentâs hesitation, she nodded.
âOf course, sweetheart.
Letâs go get those strawberry pancakes.
â
Quickly, Ariana fired off a message to Holden, who had left earlier for a business meeting, not knowing she had come back to visit Adele.
She informed him of their plans, asking him to join them after his video conference.
Then, with practiced efficiency, she helped Adele get ready for their little excursion.
Hand in hand, they strolled through the hospital garden towards the restaurant.
Mercy Hospital spared no expense, its culinary offerings rivaling those of Michelin-starred establishments.
The restaurant had recently gone viral for several mouthwatering dishes, its popularity constrained only by the hospitalâs strict visitor limits.
The garden corridor that led to the restaurant was spacious and quiet.
The only company Ariana and Adele had were the bodyguards trailing behind them.
Arianaâs eyes couldnât help but drift to her daughter.
Adeleâs tears had subsided, but her eyes and nose remained puffy.
A pang of regret stabbed at Arianaâs heart.
If only she had insisted on going with Adele and Melon on that day, perhaps Moss would have targeted her alone, sparing Melon.
Shaking off her thoughts, Ariana steeled herself.
What mattered now was protecting Adele.
She scooped up Adele, quickening their pace towards the restaurant.
The moment they stepped inside, they were enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
Christmas trees and glittering ornaments adorned every corner.
The bodyguards were hyper-vigilant after Melonâs abduction.
After confirming that there was no suspicious person inside, they stood at the door to guard the restaurant.
The restaurant was filled with patients in hospital garb, crowded.