Chapter 6 Felicia’s Mentor
In the hospital room, Felicia faced the fuming old man across from her. She forced a smile. “Prof. Galvan, what brings you here?”
“Humph! Can’t I visit any hospital I please?”
She shot a glare at her “traitorous” senior colleague beside him. She just texted him casually. How’d he drag the professor here?
Jarred Figueroa cleared his throat. “Licia, why didn’t you tell Prof. Galvan about your second child?”
“Clearly, she’s forgotten her teacher!” Eugene huffed.
“No, that’s not true. I … thought you wouldn’t want to see me.”
Years ago, Eugene had openly favored Felicia in the lab. But she left after marrying, claiming pregnancy and family duties.
Eugene, known for being eccentric and picky, had never valued a student so highly before, yet Felicia proved deserving of his mentorship.
He once planned to hand over his lab to his most cherished student upon retirement. But Felicia left abruptly, catching him completely off guard.
Her abrupt exit led him to block her entirely.
Six years later, she’d finally contacted Jarred.
“Afraid?” Eugene scoffed. “Not afraid to marry a scumbag? Where is your husband? Was throwing away your future for him worth it?”
Felicia’s nose stung.
Yes, she was blinded by foolishness.
How else could she mistake lies for love?
Felicia bowed her head. “Prof. Galvan, I was wrong.”
Eugene had always prized his reputation. Though Felicia’s departure from the lab years ago had stung, he couldn’t bear seeing her talent wasted.
He’d rarely met someone with her medical intuition.
“Gah!”
A tiny coo came from the crib.
Jarred peeked over. “Who’s this little cutie? I’m your mom’s senior. Call me ‘Big Bro’!”
“Jarred!” Felicia snorted. “You’re old enough to be her uncle.”
She lifted Mina. “Sweetie, meet Mom’s teacher. Remember this white-bearded man when you grow up!”
“Goo!” Mina waved her tiny fists, earning a stiff smile from Eugene.
“Good … baby.”
Jarred stifled a laugh.
Eugene’s awkward baby talk was amusing.
Eugene shot him a glare. “Amusing?”
“No, Prof. Galvan. My bad.”
Mina’s antics eased the tension.
Eugene turned to Felicia. “Your spot in the lab remains open. Return anytime. But once you do, leaving won’t be so easy.”
“Thank you, Prof. Galvan.”
Jarred cut in. “So, do you plan to get a divorce?”
They’d briefly texted about her leaving the Lucero family.
Felicia’s eyes hardened. “Yes.”
“Good riddance. That husband of yours is trash.”
Eugene glared. “Any of your seniors here would outshine that husband of yours.”
He’d disapproved of Felicia’s marriage to Seymour from the start.
Six years later, their relationship was crumbling.
Felicia scratched her nose sheepishly. “You were right.”
“Humph! When will you return to the lab?”
She paused. “After my postpartum recovery. Maybe when Mina turns three months old.”
Jarred raised a practical concern. “Who’ll care for the baby then?”
Eugene waved dismissively. “Plenty of idle seniors here. Rotate them.”
Jarred groaned inwardly, “Please don’t include me.”
Mabel lay in the hospital bed, frail as a porcelain doll. “Sey, it’s just a sprain. I’m fine.”
Seymour frowned at her swollen ankle. “Stay in bed. I’ll send a nanny.”
Edwina smiled warmly. “Already arranged. Sey, thank you for rushing over. Roger and his father are away.”
“Of course,” Seymour replied politely.
“Auntie Mabel, I’ll rub it! Rub it and it won’t hurt!”
Ambrose, who’d been sulking over breakfast, now hovered worriedly.
“Ambi, don’t touch her!”
Kids could be rough. That might backfire.
Ambrose froze, hurt. “Dad, why are you yelling?”
Mabel’s heart swelled with sweetness.
Seymour even scolded his son for her.
“Sey, it’s fine. Ambi just cares about me.”
“I know Ambi loves me most! Your daddy was just worried. Here, take the chocolate!”
Ambrose licked his lips. “I haven’t had chocolate for a long time!”
Edwina hesitated. “Mabel, your sister mentioned he’s mildly allergic.”
“It’s fine, Mom. My second degree was in nutrition. Just because someone’s allergic doesn’t mean they must avoid it forever. Ambi might’ve reacted to one ingredient as a child. Gradual exposure to allergens can actually help overcome sensitivities over time.
“A little won’t hurt.”
Seymour frowned but didn’t object.
But since it was Mabel’s kind gesture, he’d let Ambi accept it first and quietly take it away later.
“Take it, Ambi. Thank Auntie Mabel.”
Ambi beamed.
It was chocolate!
He boomed, “Thank you, Auntie Mabel.”
Mabel blinked innocently. “Sey … will Felicia be upset you visited me?”
The room tensed.
Ambi chirped, “No! When Dad and I were leaving, Grandma said she would visit Mom!”
Seymour relaxed.
His mother was experienced. She would handle it.
But Yvonne had forgotten entirely.
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