Chapter 4 A Hospital Run - In " What are you doing here ? " Jackson's voice came sharp and cold from behind her . 38 Finished 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 . 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 person , " she said flatly . " I'm not your mom " 19:30 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 4 A Hospital Run - In She turned and walked off . 38 Finished 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 . She's running a fever . But the moment passed . He scowled . " Are you done causing a scene ? You were locked up for three and now you're calling the cops over a couple of statues ? I told you - 1 gave them to years , 2/4 19:30 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 4 A Hospital Run - In Victoria ! " 38 Finished 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 . When she finally came to , groggy and burning up , the first thing she saw was Lucy - rushing in , looking tired but relieved . 3/4 19:30 Fri , Sep 19 Chapter 4 A Hospital Run - In ( 3 ) Finished Lucy shook her head , exasperated . " You just got out of prison , and you're already running a fever this bad ? I 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 . 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 you to help me find someone . " Send Gifts 20