''I called her mother. I believe she would want to see her mother more than me'' Connor finished cleaning her foot and picked the gauze. ''You shouldn't put your foot in water for a while or the cut will get infected''

''Do you have to bandage in such a manner? It will be hard for me to shower without getting water on it''

''You need to do it somehow, unless you want me to help you. I don't mind doing it'' Connor teased.

''You wished''

''I will go and clean the mess you made, mi lady'' Connor said and stood up. He made a playful bow before going to clean the mess.

Xia looked at him as he folded his sleeves and started cleaning the area. He swept the broken pieces of mug before he started cleaning the place. Xia smiled and relaxed on the couch. she found his every move seductive.

''You are done for, Kim Xia!'' she muttered and picked the TV remote, deciding to direct her attention to the TV.

Connor finished cleaning the place and returned to the hall to find her sleeping. He chuckled and leaned his face closer to her.

''She must be really tired. She managed to sleep in my presence'' Connor said and took the remote from Xia's hands. He turned off the TV and carried her into her bedroom.

Connor placed Xia on the bed and turned to go when she pulled his arm. He turned and fell on the bed, closer to her. Connor was surprised. He shifted his gaze to meet her eyes.

''Connor… do you think that Via will be alright?'' Xia asked.

''Mm, she will be fine. Thank you for informing me, Xia. I am proud of you''

''Tsk. Why did she have​ to be dying? I can't even hate her anymore''

''You can't even hate anyone, Xia. You are a kind person''

''I'm going to sleep, you should go'' Xia let go of his hand and turned her back against him.

''Sleep. I will call you tomorrow morning'' Connor stood up and heard Xia's voice.

''I think I am a bad person. Even though I know she needs you… I still… I am tempted to ask you to stay by my side tonight. I don't know why but I feel especially lonely tonight''

''That is not selfishness. It is not you being a bad person. Just say it, Xia'' Connor said and turned to face her. she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

''I missed you Connor. I missed you so much'' Xia said and sat up.

''Lord knows how much I missed you too, Xia'' Connor sat closer and hugged her. He removed the slippers and climbed into the bed, hugging her still as she wept.

….

Xia woke up the continuous ringing of her phone. She stretched her hand and pulled it closer and answered.

''Hello, Nat''

''Xia, are you still sleeping?'' Natalie asked over the phone.

''Mm. Why?''

''Nothing much, I just wanted to ask if you are free for lunch this afternoon. I missed you, best friend''

''Oh, what is wrong with you, this morning? You are sounding so cheesy. Tell me, did Mikael start his drama shooting already?''

''You caught me there'' Natalie said as she locked her door and turned to leave the house.

''No wonder. You are trying to kill time with me. What do to, I hurt myself last time and can't even walk properly''

''You got hurt? Xia, are you alright?''

''Oo, I'm fine now''

''I made breakfast, Xia'' Connor said as he opened the door. Xia made a damn it expression.

''Oh, I heard that. I definitely heard that, Xia. Fess up, immediately or I am coming to your apartment right now to get the details for myself'' Natalie said as she got into the car.

'I will meet you for lunch, today'' Xia said.

''Okay. Then, we will talk during lunch. I'm taking the car to work today''

''You are driving to work today? What got into you, Natalie? This is new?''

''Well, I decided to start using the car since Mikael won't be able to pick me up now that he started shooting''

''I see, be careful on the road''

''Oo, love you''

''Love you too, Nat'' Xia hung up and smiled. She looked up at Connor who was still there, leaning against the door watching her.

''I made breakfast'' Connor said again.

''I thought you left early in the morning?'' Xia asked and he reached over to help her as she tried to get down from the bed.

''I wanted you to wait up first''

''Thank you''

''You should wash up and come out for breakfast. I know you will be going to the hospital to see Via. Let's go together''

''Is it… alright to go together?''

''Yes, it is more than alright. Via called me and asked to see you. she told me to bring you over''

''Okay. Then, I will get ready first''

''Go ahead''

…..

First Hospital.

Xia followed Connor into the hospital once they arrived. They went straight towards the private wards of the hospital which was located in the 7th floor of the hospital building.

Private ward.

''How do you feel, Via?'' Herma Cobbs asked as she held the hand of Karl. This was Connor and Josh's mother, Herma Andre Cobbs.

''I am fine, aunt''

''You made the right decision, Via. We shouldn't lose you like this. You should think about your son''

''Aunt, Karl doesn't need me again. I found someone who will love him maybe more than I do''

''What's​ are you talking about?''

''I decided to let Connor go, aunt. I want to live the rest of my days peaceful, making amends with my past''

''You have always been a smart woman, Via. I will support whatever decision you decide to make''

''Grandma, where is daddy? Why is he not here yet?'' Karl asked and just then the door opened and Connor entered with Xia.

''Daddy is here, my boy'' Connor said and Karl ran to him. Herma turned and looked at Xia, finding her familiar.

''Hi, good morning'' Xia greeted with a slight bow.

''Good morning, Xia''

''Xia? You are Kim Xia?'' Herma asked as she looked at Xia keenly.

''Yes, I am''

''Xia, this is my mother. Mom, meet my friend and the woman you've been hearing about'' Connor said and Xia flushed.

''You are very beautiful, Kim Xia. Nice to meet you''

''Nice to meet you too''

''How could you visit someone without buying fruits? You are such a cheapskate, Xia'' Via said as she looked at Xia.

''Who said I came empty handed? I brought fruits but your attending doctor took it away saying you needed to stay on fluids for a few days. Do not blame me''

''That doctor is surely fast''

''How do you feel now?'' Xia asked as she looked at Via.

''I feel a lot better after the surgery''

''That's a relief. You should get enough rest while you are here''

''I will do that. I want to spend the reminder of my days with my son. Growing up, I didn't show him a lot of love. Even though it's too late, I still want to make it up to him''

''That's good'' Xia looked at the family and smiled. 'I should get going now''

'Xia, I want to have a word with you. Aunt, Connor, can you leave us alone?'' Via asked.

''Yes, sure. Let's go Karl. We will return to your mother later on''

''Yes, grandma'' Karl said and held Connor's hand.

After everyone left, Xia moved closer to the bed and asked, Via. ''What did you want to talk about?''

''I want to apologise for everything. You were right. I messed up, I hurt you, I hurt Connor and even my own son. It might be too late, but I want you to know that I am sorry. I said a lot of hateful things to you which I shouldn't have. I apologise for all of it''

''Via…''

''Let me finish. What I said about your family, I didn't have the right to say that to you. You don't owe me anything. On the contrary, I am the one who stole from you. Xia, please, I want you to take care of my son. I know this makes me very greedy but you are the only one I can trust my son with. You and Connor are the only people I can trust Karl with''

''I can't even hate you''

''Does that mean you've agreed?''

''Oo, I've agreed''

''Thank you so much. Now I can die in peace''

''Stop talking about death and concentrate on getting better. You still haven't made it up to Karl''

''Mm, I will try my best''

''I will come and visit you tomorrow. I made an appointment with my friend''

''How did you get hurt?'' Via asked, looking at her foot.

''Oh, that? I mistakenly stepped on a broken mug and got hurt but I am fine now''

''You should be more careful, are you still clumsy?''

''No! I am not clumsy at all'' Xia replied sharply back and they laughed.

''I missed you, Xia''

''Me too''