Fated to Be

Call Me Mom

The journey to the hospital was unusually quiet.

Rain clouds gathered overhead as Lyrien Reynolds sat beside Kiona in the back seat of the car. Gilbert drove in silence, occasionally glancing at the rearview mirror.

Kiona leaned against the window, her face pale. The dried blood near her temple had stained part of her hair, but she seemed far more concerned about the child growing inside her than the pain in her own body.

Without realizing it, both of her hands rested protectively over her stomach.

Lyrien noticed.

A wave of guilt swept over him.

If he had arrived a few minutes later...

He forced the thought from his mind.

"We're almost there," he said softly.

Kiona gave a small nod but didn't speak.

Before long, the car pulled into the emergency entrance of Reynolds Private Hospital.

Doctors and nurses were already waiting.

"The patient has a head injury," Lyrien informed them calmly. "Please examine her immediately."

"Yes, Mr. Reynolds."

A nurse gently helped Kiona onto a wheelchair.

As they wheeled her away, she looked back once.

Their eyes met.

Lyrien offered a reassuring nod.

"You'll be alright."

For reasons she couldn't explain, the fear in her heart eased just a little.

Nearly two hours later...

Lyrien stood outside the examination room with his hands in his pockets.

Gilbert approached him.

"You haven't sat down once, sir."

"I'm fine."

Just then, the attending doctor stepped outside.

"Mr. Reynolds."

Lyrien immediately walked over.

"How is she?"

"The head injury isn't serious. We cleaned and bandaged the wound, and she'll recover with proper rest."

Lyrien released the breath he'd been holding.

"And the baby?"

The doctor smiled reassuringly.

"The pregnancy is stable. Fortunately, the baby wasn't harmed."

Relief flashed across Lyrien's face.

"Thank you, Doctor."

"She'll regain consciousness soon."

Inside the hospital room...

Warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the curtains.

Kiona slowly opened her eyes.

Everything looked unfamiliar.

The spotless white walls.

The quiet hum of medical equipment.

The scent of antiseptic.

She tried to sit up.

"Easy, dear."

A gentle voice stopped her.

Kiona turned her head.

Beside the bed sat an elegant woman in her early fifties. She wore a simple cream-colored dress, and although there was nothing flashy about her appearance, she carried herself with quiet grace.

Her smile was warm enough to calm anyone's heart.

"You must be wondering who I am."

Kiona nodded.

The woman reached over and gently held her hand.

"My name is Elena Reynolds."

"Lyrien's mother."

Kiona's eyes widened.

She immediately tried to sit up straighter.

"I'm sorry..."

Elena chuckled softly.

"What are you apologizing for?"

"I..."

Kiona lowered her gaze.

"I've caused your family so much trouble."

Elena gently shook her head.

"My child, you didn't cause us trouble."

"You were the one who suffered."

Those simple words caught Kiona off guard.

No one had said something so comforting to her in a very long time.

Just then, the door opened.

Lyrien walked inside.

"Mother."

Elena smiled knowingly.

"There you are."

She looked between the two of them before teasing,

"You've been pacing outside this room for almost two hours."

Lyrien cleared his throat awkwardly.

"I was waiting for the doctor's report."

"Mmm..."

Elena smiled but said nothing more.

Instead, she opened her handbag and carefully removed a small velvet box.

"Kiona."

"I have something for you."

Kiona looked confused.

Elena opened the box.

Inside rested a beautiful jade bracelet.

Its rich green color shimmered beautifully beneath the afternoon sunlight.

Kiona immediately shook her head.

"It's beautiful..."

"But I can't accept something so valuable."

Elena smiled gently.

"This bracelet has been passed down through generations of the Reynolds family."

"It traditionally belongs to the Reynolds family's daughter-in-law."

Kiona's eyes widened.

She instinctively withdrew her hand.

"No... I really can't."

"I'm not..."

Before she could finish, Elena gently took her wrist and slipped the bracelet onto it.

"There."

Kiona looked at it helplessly.

"Madam Reynolds..."

"I told you..."

Elena interrupted with a warm smile.

"You aren't accepting it as the daughter-in-law."

"You'll simply keep it safe for me."

"When the true daughter-in-law joins our family one day..."

"You can hand it over yourself."

Although Kiona still felt uneasy, she couldn't bring herself to remove it.

It would only hurt the kind woman before her.

Elena gently patted her hand.

"One more thing."

Kiona looked up.

"I don't like being called 'Madam Reynolds.'"

She smiled warmly.

"Call me Mom."

Kiona froze.

Her eyes instinctively shifted toward Lyrien.

Unsure what to do, she searched his face for an answer.

Lyrien gave her a small, reassuring nod.

"It's alright."

Kiona hesitated for a few seconds before speaking softly.

"...Mom."

Elena's face immediately brightened.

"My good daughter."

She affectionately stroked Kiona's hair.

Although Kiona still wasn't completely comfortable...

For the first time in what felt like forever...

She felt the warmth of a family.

A real one.

And deep inside, a tiny part of her heart began to wonder...

Could this really become a place where my baby and I are safe?

The following afternoon, after the doctor confirmed that Kiona's condition had stabilized, she was discharged from the hospital.

Gilbert carried her small bag while Lyrien walked quietly beside her.

As they stepped outside, a sleek black Rolls-Royce was already waiting.

Lyrien opened the rear door.

"You should sit. The ride isn't long."

"...Thank you."

Kiona got into the car.

The journey was peaceful.

She spent most of it staring out of the window, watching the city gradually disappear behind them until enormous iron gates came into view.

The gates slowly opened.

Beyond them stood an elegant mansion surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, fountains, and rows of colorful flowers.

Kiona's eyes widened.

"So... this is the Reynolds family home..."

The car stopped beneath the grand entrance.

Several maids and butlers lined up neatly.

"Welcome home, Young Master."

Lyrien gave a slight nod before turning toward Kiona.

"Come."

She followed him inside.

The mansion was breathtaking.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.

The polished marble floors reflected the warm afternoon sunlight.

Every painting, every piece of furniture, spoke of generations of wealth and history.

Kiona suddenly became very conscious of her simple clothes.

She lowered her head.

I don't belong in a place like this...

Before she could sink deeper into those thoughts—

"Brother!"

A cheerful voice echoed through the hall.

A young woman came running down the staircase.

She looked about nineteen years old, wearing a loose white sweater and denim jeans. Her long black hair bounced behind her as she hurried over.

Without hesitation, she threw her arms around Lyrien.

"You finally came home!"

Lyrien smiled faintly.

"You'll knock me over one day."

"I've been trying for nineteen years."

She laughed before finally noticing Kiona standing nearby.

Her bright eyes immediately lit up.

"You must be Kiona!"

Kiona blinked.

"Y-Yes..."

The young woman hurried over and grabbed both of Kiona's hands with excitement.

"I'm Lyra Reynolds!"

"Lyrien's little sister."

"I've wanted to meet you ever since Mom called me yesterday."

Kiona smiled awkwardly.

"It's... nice to meet you."

Lyra tilted her head as she studied Kiona carefully.

"Hmm..."

"What?"

"You're prettier than my brother described."

Both Kiona and Lyrien froze.

Lyrien frowned.

"I never described her."

Lyra burst into laughter.

"I know."

"I just wanted to see your reaction."

Lyrien sighed.

"You haven't changed."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

She linked arms with Kiona before anyone could stop her.

"Come on!"

"I'll show you around."

Kiona instinctively looked toward Lyrien.

He simply nodded.

"Go ahead."

For nearly an hour, Lyra happily showed Kiona every corner of the mansion.

"This is the library."

"My brother practically lives here."

"And that's the music room."

"He doesn't play often anymore."

"Oh!"

She pointed toward a beautiful glass door.

"That's my favorite place."

The two stepped into a breathtaking flower garden.

Hundreds of roses swayed gently in the afternoon breeze.

"It's beautiful..." Kiona whispered.

"It was Dad's favorite place before he passed away."

Lyra smiled softly.

"Brother takes care of it now."

Kiona looked around in surprise.

"He does?"

"Mmm."

"He comes here whenever he's stressed."

"He thinks nobody knows."

"I pretend not to notice."

The two shared a quiet laugh.

For the first time since arriving...

Kiona felt herself relaxing.

As evening approached, Lyra finally led Kiona upstairs.

She opened a bedroom door.

"This is your room."

Kiona stepped inside.

The room was elegant yet warm.

Soft cream-colored curtains framed the windows.

Fresh lilies rested in a crystal vase.

A large bookshelf stood beside a comfortable reading chair.

And in the center...

A king-sized bed.

"It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it."

Lyra smiled proudly.

"If you need anything..."

"Anything at all..."

"My room is just across the hallway."

She leaned closer and whispered dramatically,

"Brother's room is at the very end."

Kiona couldn't help smiling.

"You really enjoy teasing him."

"It's one of my favorite hobbies."

The two laughed together.

As Lyra reached the door, she suddenly turned back.

"Oh!"

"I almost forgot."

She walked back over to Kiona.

"My brother..."

She smiled gently.

"...isn't good at expressing himself."

Kiona looked down.

"I know."

"But..."

Lyra continued,

"He's actually one of the kindest people you'll ever meet."

"When I was little, I was terrified of thunderstorms."

"He stayed awake every single rainy night until I fell asleep."

"When Dad passed away..."

"He was only twenty-three."

"Overnight, he became the head of the family."

"He gave up so much for Mom and me."

"He always carries everything by himself."

Kiona listened quietly.

The cold, distant man she had met at Bright Star Club...

Didn't seem to match the brother Lyra was describing.

Lyra smiled.

"So..."

"Don't judge him only by the walls he built around his heart."

With that, she waved cheerfully.

"Rest well, Kiona."

"Good night!"

"Good night."

After Lyra left, the room became quiet once again.

Kiona slowly looked around.

The bed looked far too expensive.

The spotless white sheets were perfectly arranged.

She glanced at the bandage on her head.

What if I stain the pillow...?

They've already done so much for me.

"I shouldn't cause any more trouble."

She carefully took a blanket from the bed and spread it neatly across the carpet.

Then she lay down on the floor.

It felt more comfortable...

Not physically.

But emotionally.

At least she wouldn't ruin anything that belonged to the Reynolds family.

A few minutes later...

The bedroom door opened quietly.

Lyrien stepped inside.

He had only intended to check whether she needed anything.

Instead...

He found her sleeping peacefully on the floor.

He stopped in his tracks.

His eyes slowly moved to the untouched bed.

Then back to Kiona.

Understanding dawned on him.

"So..."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"You were worried about troubling us."

He walked over and carefully knelt beside her.

With the gentlest movements, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and another behind her back.

She stirred slightly but didn't wake.

Lyrien carefully lifted her into his arms.

She was much lighter than he had expected.

As he laid her gently on the bed, a loose strand of hair fell across her face.

Without thinking, he brushed it behind her ear.

His fingers lingered for only a second before he withdrew them.

Looking at her sleeping peacefully, he spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.

"Kiona..."

"I've already failed you once."

"But from now on..."

"I'll protect you..."

"...and our child."

He quietly pulled the blanket over her before turning off the bedside lamp.

Then, with one last glance, he left the room as silently as he had entered.