hapter 16 Uninvited Guests Jackson walked in briskly with Aiden . " How did you even know I was in the hospital ? " Natalie's gaze held a guarded edge as she looked at them in silence . Finished " A friend at the hospital gave me a call . Said you were rushed in for emergency treatment , so I brought Aiden to check on you , " Jackson said , his expression darkening . " Do you have any idea how reckless that was ? Was there no security staff at the orphanage ? Why did you , of all people , have to run in and play hero ? " The atmosphere instantly grew tense . " Jackson , what is wrong with you ? " Lucy jumped up and stepped between him and the bed , shielding Natalie with her back . " When Natalie got there , the security team hadn't even arrived yet . There were so many kids trapped inside - were you expecting her to just stand by and watch them burn ? " " I'm just saying she had no business trying to save anyone . She almost got herself killed and ended up becoming a burden to the rescue staff . Isn't that worse ? " " Exactly ! " Aiden chimed in . " Mom , you're always scared of everything . Why did you have to go mess things up at a time like that ? " The moment those words fell , a chill spread through Natalie's chest . She had nearly lost her life , yet the first thing this father and son duo did when they saw her was criticize and scold her ? How ridiculous . Scared of everything . To think her own son described her that way . All these years , was that really how he saw her ? " What do you mean scared of everything ? Your mom ran into a burning building to save people , and you still call her a coward ? " Lucy's brows drew together in anger . " Aiden , how can you say something like that to your mother ? " Aiden glared at Lucy . Maybe he was intimidated by her presence - he didn't dare say anything more . 1/3 19:34 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 16 Uninvited Guests " Why are you yelling at him ? " 37 Finished Jackson quickly pulled Aiden behind him , his eyes burning with irritation as he looked at Lucy . " I'm just telling the truth . Natalie being stuck with you two is the unluckiest thing that's ever happened to her . " Jackson's face twisted in anger . Lucy had never approved of his marriage to Natalie , and he'd always known it . Still , no matter how much she disliked him and his son , she had never confronted them so openly before . Now , Jackson was genuinely furious . The veins on his forehead were bulging . Just as he was about to say something , Natalie - who had stayed silent this whole time - spoke with a calm , expressionless face . " Jackson , please take your son and leave my room . " His eyes turned colder , the icy sharpness in them growing stronger . " I came here with our son , just to check on you . And this is how you treat us ? " Natalie felt exhausted . She didn't have the energy to argue with him . Her voice was even more detached than before . " I'm tired and need to rest . Please leave . " " Fine , we'll go . " Aiden tugged on his father's arm , his little face filled with displeasure . " Dad , since Mom doesn't want us here , let's go ! " Jackson had more to say , but with his son pulling him away , he had no choice but to head for the door . Once the door closed behind them , Jackson led Aiden down the hall toward the elevators . Both of them were clearly upset , but neither said a word . As the elevator doors slowly opened , a tall figure appeared before them . Jackson blinked in surprise . " Uncle Marcus ? " Marcus lifted his gaze , stopping in his tracks . " What are you doing here ? " Jackson noticed the fruit basket in Marcus's hand but didn't comment on it . He shifted his eyes away casually . 2/3 19:34 Fri , Sep 19 ... Chapter 16 Uninvited Guests & 337 " I got a call from someone at the hospital . They said Natalie passed out after a fire at the orphanage . Aiden and I came to see her ." " Mom kicked us out , " Aiden added , puffing out his cheeks , clearly unhappy . " Is that so ? " Marcus's lips curved into a faint , unreadable smile . " Uncle Marcus , what brings you to the inpatient wing ? Visiting someone ? " Jackson looked at him curiously . Finished " Yeah . " Marcus nodded toward the elevator , his tone light . " It's here . You should take Aiden home . " " Sure . Uncle Marcus , let's catch up another time ." Send Gifts