Mom at the Hospital

The sterile smell of disinfectant lingered in the air as Lex walked down the brightly lit hallway of Mount Sinai Hospital. The faint hum of machines and muffled conversations filtered through the walls, but Lex wasn't paying attention to any of it.

He spotted his mother, Lian Mei Latham, sitting quietly by the window in the waiting area, flipping through an old magazine. She looked calm—the way she always did, even when things weren't.

Lex approached slowly, watching her for a moment before speaking.

"You know you don't actually have to read those, right?" Lex said softly, standing behind her.

Lian Mei's eyes flicked up, and the faintest smile touched her lips. "I like the pictures," she replied, setting the magazine down. "Keeps me entertained while they poke and prod me."

Lex slid into the chair next to her, his gaze drifting out the window. "How long have you been waiting?"

"Not long," she said. "They're running tests, but it's routine. Nothing to worry about."

Lex nodded, but his eyes lingered on her a little longer. She looked healthy, but there was always that small fear—the one he couldn't quite shake.

"Good," Lex said, his tone light. "I like routine. Let's keep it that way."

Lian Mei glanced at him sideways, the warmth in her eyes tinged with quiet understanding. "You don't have to hover, Lex. I've been coming to these check-ups long before you started playing finance mogul."

Lex smirked faintly. "I know. I just thought I'd make sure they remember who's paying the bills."

She laughed softly. "I think they know."

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the kind only family could share. Lex could feel his mother's gaze on him, even when he wasn't looking.

"You've been busy," she said eventually, her voice soft but probing. "Elias mentioned you're… expanding."

Lex chuckled under his breath. "Elias talks too much."

"He worries," Lian Mei said simply. "Just like your father did."

Lex's smirk faded slightly at the mention of his father. His hand rested lightly on his knee, tapping absent rhythms against the fabric of his jeans.

"Dad wouldn't have been worried," Lex said quietly. "He'd understand why I'm doing this."

Lian Mei nodded, her eyes distant as if she could see further back than Lex ever could. "He would," she agreed. "But that doesn't mean he wouldn't remind you to slow down."

Lex turned to face her, and for the first time, there was no sharp comeback, no witty remark. Just quiet.

"I can't slow down, Mom," Lex said softly. "Barnie's moving fast. If I don't stay ahead of him, we'll lose everything Dad built."

Lian Mei's gaze lingered on him, calm but firm. She reached out and gently rested her hand over his.

"We're not going to lose it," she said, her voice steady. "And you're not alone in this. You don't have to carry everything by yourself."

Lex felt the tightness in his chest loosen—just a little.

"I know," he said, giving her hand a light squeeze. "But I'd rather make sure you don't have to worry about any of this."

Lian Mei smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I stopped worrying about Barnie years ago. He's predictable."

Lex arched a brow. "You think so?"

She nodded. "Your uncle's ambitious, but he doesn't understand the value of patience. He's trying to win now. Your father always thought further ahead. And so do you."

Lex leaned back in his chair, letting her words settle.

"You should take a break," Lex said suddenly. "Get out of the city for a bit. Take Rose and her mom—somewhere warm. The beach, maybe."

Lian Mei smiled knowingly. "Trying to get rid of me already?"

Lex smirked. "Just for a little while. I'll even pay for it."

Lian Mei squeezed his hand once more before letting go. "I'll think about it."

Before Lex could reply, a nurse appeared at the doorway, holding a clipboard.

"Mrs. Latham?" the nurse called gently.

Lian Mei stood gracefully, smoothing her blouse. "I won't be long."

Lex watched her walk away, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee once again.

His mother was right. Barnie was predictable.

But Lex wasn't.

And by the time Barnie noticed the difference, it would already be too late.