Chapter 4 A Hospital Run - In Chapter 4 A Hospital Run - In " What are you doing here ? " Jackson's voice came sharp and cold from behind her . 10 Free Coins Natalie looked up to see him standing with Aiden and Victoria . They were clearly there for Victoria's follow - up appointment . The three of them stood close , smiling , like the perfect little family . Victoria blinked in surprise , then gave a tight smile . " Ms. Foster , there's no need to play games . If you wanted to see Jackson , you didn't have to come all the way to the hospital . You just got out of prison - showing up here like this only makes things worse for you . " Mom came here to find us ? Does she regret not going home with us ? A flicker of hope flashed across Aiden's face . But then he remembered what she'd said the other day . His lips puckered , and his voice came out in a pout . " You're such a liar , Mom . You say you don't want to be with me and Dad , but here you are . You just won't admit it ." Jackson scoffed . " I thought you were done with us . All that talk about not coming back to the Collins family ... And now here you are , two days later , trying to get our attention . Classic Natalie . Still the same as ever ." Before he could finish , the doctor stepped in . " Ms. Foster , here's your medication ," he said , handing her a small bag . He glanced at Jackson and the others with clear disapproval . " Do you all mind ? You're blocking the counter . Let my patient through . " Natalie raised her eyes , expression cold . " I came to pick up meds . You're the ones making things up . Might want to get your heads checked while you're at it . " Jackson's jaw tightened , his irritation deepening . 7 She was sick ? Already ? Just days after getting out ? Was prison really that bad ? Natalie turned to leave - but just as she did , she felt a small tug on her sleeve . Aiden's voice was softer now , almost unsure . " My graduation's in a few days . Even if you're mad ... you should still be there . You're my ... mom . " The last word came out barely above a whisper . He immediately glanced at Victoria , like he was afraid she'd be upset . But Natalie didn't even look at him . She gently pulled her arm away . " You've got the wrong 1/4 6:16 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 4 A Hospital Run - In person , " she said flatly . I'm not your mom . " She turned and walked off . 10 Free Colna ? Victoria's voice rang out behind her . " I understand that coming home after prison is hard , Ms. Foster . But that doesn't give you the right to abandon your responsibilities . You haven't been around in three years - are you really just going to keep ignoring your son ? " Her words were loud - too loud . Heads turned . Whispers followed . Prison . Neglect . Mother who walked away . Natalie felt the stares immediately . Then a man in uniform approached - badge on his chest , confident stride . " Ms. Victoria , " he said , stopping in front of her . " We had a report of stolen property - two angel statues , to be exact . They were identified in a televised segment filmed at your residence . I need you to come with me . " Gasps echoed around the waiting room . Jackson's brows furrowed . She went back to Oakridge Estates ? Victoria turned red , her shock giving way to panic . Before she could say a word , Natalie let out a soft cough . Her face was pale , but her voice was clear and cold . " Aiden is nine . He can decide who he wants to call ' mom , ' but I'm also free not to play that role . " The law might require her to pay child support - but it didn't require her to love someone who helped ruin her life . Then Natalie turned to Victoria . " As for you - those angel statues were mine . Personal property . My husband at the time had no right to give them away . And if you can't return them ... you'll get a taste of what prison feels like too . " Jackson grabbed her wrist . For a second , he froze . She was burning up . Her wrist was thinner than he remembered - light , fragile . 2/4 Chapter 4 A Hospital Run - In She's running a fever But the m0117 A +10 Free Coins passed . He scowled. " Are you done causing a scene ? You were locked up for three years , and now you're calling the cops over a couple of statues ? I told you - I gave them to Victoria ! " Aiden piped up too , frustration bubbling over . " Yeah ! If it weren't for Great - Grandpa and Ms. Victoria , I wouldn't even want you to be my mom . And now you're being mean to her again ? You're not even coming to my graduation ! " The bitterness in Aiden's voice deepened , but so did something else - confusion . The mom he remembered would've never looked at him like a stranger . She would've smiled , hugged him , and tried to win him over . This woman ? This woman felt like someone else entirely . Natalie stood there , unfazed by their words - if anything , she found them a little ironic . Maybe in their eyes , the hell she'd lived through over the past three years meant nothing compared to Victoria's injuries . Her fever was getting worse . Everything felt hazy , and she could barely stay on her feet . She yanked her arm free from Jackson's grip , looked straight at him - and suddenly laughed . " You're unbelievable . Mr. Jackson talks so casually about prison ... why don't you go try it . yourself ? " Her words were sharp , even cruel . Nothing like the woman she used to be three years ago . Jackson froze , stunned . Outside the hospital , Natalie wiped the spot on her arm where he'd touched her . Only one thought echoed in her mind . I needed to get that divorce finalized - fast . Every second spent tied to Jackson felt like pure torture . The whole mess with Victoria dragged on at the station through the night . But Natalie ? She took her meds and went straight to bed . 3/4 6:16 Fri , Sep 26 Chapter 4 A Hospital Run - In When she finally came to , groggy and burning up , Lucy - rushing the first thing she saw w in , looking tired but relieved . Lucy shook her head , exasperated . " You just got out of prison , and you're already running a fever this bad ? 1 flew straight here and found out you were pushing 104. Good thing it finally broke . " She handed Natalie a glass of water and some medicine . " Whatever you need , just say the word . " Natalie didn't want to talk about prison . She wasn't ready for that . Ty But seeing Lucy - still the same as three years ago - brought a flicker of warmth to her chest . Her husband and her son had abandoned her . But her friend ? Her friend was still here . She took the pills quietly , her voice low . " Help me draft a divorce agreement . And ... I need to help me find someone ." you 4/4 In "A Lady Hard to Please" by CrushReels, a single mother makes a poignant return to the city she fled seven years ago. Her mission: to secure treatment for her son's leukemia, setting the stage for an emotional journey of love and resilience amidst past heartbreak. As her ex-lover reenters her life upon hearing of her return, old wounds resurface, sparking a complex web of emotions and decisions that delve deep into themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the enduring power of love. This modern romance novel stands out for its raw portrayal of familial bonds tested by adversity, offering readers a compelling exploration of human strength and vulnerability. With a captivating blend of heart-wrenching moments and tender revelations, "A Lady Hard to Please" promises a captivating read that lingers in the heart long after the final page. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a tale that transcends boundaries and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.