ELENA
“Mom, would you stop?” Elena wriggled as Jessica fluffed up the pillows again. “You’re not helping.”
“But these pillows are awful!” Jessica didn’t stop, adjusting them to how she wanted them before moving back. “Honestly, you’d think they would have better beds here.”
“It’s just a clinic, Mom. You want a proper hospital, you have to go to Lincoln.”
Jessica snorted, muttering something about backwards towns. Elena gritted her teeth, fighting back a wave of nausea. Her head hurt, and she was sore from her fainting spell. The last thing she needed was for her mother to be present, fussing over her like a little girl. It was just making her headache worse.
But there was a tiny part of her that was glad her mother was concerned. Jessica had barely left her daughter’s side, even in the ambulance, a level of care Elena hadn’t had from her in quite some time. Jason was getting the paperwork organized so Elena didn’t have to worry about it, while Jessica stayed with her child. Still, even with her concern, it was getting a bit too much.
Elena had texted Fleur to let her know, glad she had managed to persuade her sister to stay away until Jessica was gone. If Jessica found out that both of her daughters were in Wenstown, she was going to go into overdrive.
In the moment, all Elena wanted to do was curl up and go to sleep. Her body was just not in the mood for anything.
“It’s a good thing we were close by,” Jessica said as she sat down. “It could have been very nasty.”
“I know, Mom.”
“And you had the boss looking after you as well.”
“Mom…”
“What were you doing in there?” Jessica asked. “You don’t normally use the boss’s private bathroom, do you?”
Elena tried to fight back her embarrassment. She was definitely not going to say why she was in there. Hopefully, Jason hadn’t said anything, not that she thought he would reveal that to her mother, anyway.
“I…I was feeling a bit lightheaded. I was having a meeting with Jason, and he said I could use his bathroom to splash some water on my face.”
“I see.” Jessica’s expression said she didn’t believe that at all. She looked towards the door. “He’s pretty handsome, isn’t he?”
“Is he? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Of course you have! You think I’m going to believe you were in the bathroom because you were feeling faint?” Jessica grinned. “You’re a sly one, aren’t you? Carrying on with a billionaire.”
“Mom!” Elena felt her face getting warm, and she shifted on the bed. “Don’t be stupid. He’s the one who pays my salary, that’s it.”
“I saw the way Jason Munro was with you throughout the whole ordeal. It’s pretty clear that there are some feelings there.” Jessica nodded approvingly. “I must say, I approve of your choice. I thought you weren’t going to find anyone, and you managed to snag a man who has billions to his name!”
“Mom, stop it!” Elena hoped to God that Jason wasn’t listening in. “Jason and I are just friends. He’s the owner of the Wolves. That’s all there is.”
“Elena, dear, you’re not a very good liar. I can tell by the look on your face that you two have been…well, together.”
Jessica giggled, and Elena wanted to curl up and die.
“Just when I thought you were going to be single forever! You must introduce him properly to everyone. Your relatives will be delighted to know you’re settling down well.”
“Mom, just stop it! Jason and I…”
“You’re really going to deny it after what I’ve seen? You can’t fool me, Elena.” Jessica sat back in her chair, looking lost in thought. “Now we can be provided for.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, he’s wealthy, isn’t he? Very wealthy. Jason can provide for all of us.”
Elena couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She stared at her mother.
“Are you serious, Mom? You’re talking about Jason like he’s a goldmine.”