Chapter 551
In the hospital room, the head nurse checked the elderly woman’s blood pressure – twice, in fact – and both times, the numbers ran high.
“Mrs. Ludwig, did you take your medication this morning? Your blood pressure isn’t looking great. If this keeps up, we’ll have to keep you in the hospital again,” the nurse said, her voice edged with concern.
Adela Ludwig’s expression soured. She pulled out her phone and waved the nurse away. “I’m fine. Leave me alone for a moment. I just need to make a call.”
The nurse hesitated, but Adela grew even more impatient and had her butler escort the nurse out.
Slipping on her reading glasses, Adela dialed her youngest son, muttering under her breath, “They must think I’m senile – each one bolder than the last…”
Before she could finish grumbling, the call connected and Jamison Ludwig’s voice came through, brisk and direct. “Mom, I’m here at the hospital. I’ll be upstairs in a minute. Are you still doing tests?”
“Jamison, you–” Adela was ready to let loose with all her grievances, but then she remembered what Celeste Quinn had told her earlier and hesitated.
She’d just arrived at the hospital; if she started interrogating him now, it’d be obvious someone inside had tipped her off. She didn’t want to throw Dr. Quinn under the bus.
Not the right time to ask, she thought.
Swallowing her irritation, she found another target for her frustration. “Am I still your mother or not? You’re never home, and now you can’t even show your face when I’m sick in the hospital. They say a man forgets his mother when he gets married – seems it’s true in your case.”
Jamison was in the elevator, unfazed by his mother’s theatrics. He gave a lazy chuckle. “Didn’t you keep telling us to give you grandchildren? If I’m out trying to make that happen, now you’re complaining about that too. What do you want me to do?”
Adela bristled, even more annoyed that her son had the nerve to bring up the one thing she was already upset about.
But she couldn’t let on.
She huffed, and snapped, “Are you out of your mind? If you’re sick, what good does it do to chase after your wife?”
Jamison took it in stride. “Why not do both? Maybe I’ll get lucky and everything will work out.”
Adela was left speechless.
By the time Jamison arrived at the VIP suite, Adela’s frustration had only grown – just the sight of her son, so captivated by a woman who was clearly beneath him, made her blood boil. The lies, the deception – it was enough to make her see red all over again.
The head nurse, a little on edge herself, quickly reported, “Professor Ludwig, your mother’s blood pressure is still elevated. I’ve checked it several times.”
Jamison knit his brow and turned to his mother. “Did you take your meds?”
Adela ignored him, waving him off in irritation. “Go on, get out. You’re the reason my blood pressure’s up in the first place.”
Jamison could only stare, exasperated. “It’s barely morning. Who’s managed to upset you already?”
“Who else but you? Go, go, go – I can’t even stand to look at you,” she snapped, waving him away.
Jamison had a surgery scheduled soon anyway and couldn’t linger. He nodded, resigned. “Fine. I’ll get to work. Take your time with the tests.” He gave the nurse a few instructions and left.
He’d barely closed the door when his phone rang.
He answered, “Hey, big brother.”
“Jamison, has Mom arrived at the hospital? How’s she doing?” Thad Ludwig, away on a business trip, wanted an update on their mother’s checkup.
Jamison said, “She just started the tests. No idea who riled her up this morning, but she’s been taking it out on me.”
Thad chuckled, “Probably arguing with Dad again. You know how it is – once they get older, they’re like kids. Don’t take it to heart.”
“Of course. I’d never hold it against her,” Jamison replied lightly. Both brothers were busy, so they kept it brief and hung up.
Back in his office, Jamison quickly changed into scrubs and headed for the OR.
Meanwhile, Celeste sat at her desk nearby. She saw Jamison change and walk out without so much as a glance her way. It was a relief, but left a faint pang of disappointment she couldn’t name.
Adela Ludwig finished her checkup, but Jamison was still in surgery.
The head nurse took her vitals again – this time, her blood pressure had finally returned to normal.
“All the test results so far are fine, Mrs. Ludwig. There are two more heart exams, but we’ll have those this afternoon and will update Professor Ludwig directly. Your blood pressure’s normal again – this morning’s spike was probably just from getting upset. Please, try not to let things get to you,” the nurse advised, personally escorting Adela out.
While waiting for the elevator, they ran into Celeste.
“Mrs. Ludwig, finished with your tests?” Celeste greeted her politely.
Adela had once thought about matchmaking her son with this lovely young woman, but now those thoughts only made her feel regret.
What a shame, she mused. If only she were part of our family.
“Yes, I’m done for today. Thank you for your help,” Adela replied with polite reserve, keeping her true feelings to herself.
She might have entertained wild ideas, but she wasn’t unreasonable. Her son was still married, after all; if he ever sought someone new, it would have to be after this marriage ended.
Jamison didn’t get out of surgery until noon.
He called the house right away.
Danny, the housekeeper, answered. “Your mother’s back already – resting upstairs. Your sister’s there, keeping her company.”
Knowing his mother was in good hands, Jamison relaxed. But before he hung up, he added, “Try not to let them bicker, okay? You’re both too old to still be bickering. She got so worked up this morning her blood pressure shot up – it scared the nurses half to death.”