Sorry for the delay, everyone. But don't worry. We'll have another chapter in a few minutes. This month, I want to try posting two short chapters in a few days, instead of a huge one. Which do you guys prefer? Knowing this will help me better plan this month's publishing schedule ^^
“Theodore…” I tried to reach out to him again, my heart aching more than it should from the words of a child’s tantrum, but his hands threatened to push me away “Please…”“I hate you! I hate you…!” he thrashed, trying to slam his small fists into me and then into Connor’s chest.“Theodore!” Connor growled “That’s enough!”“No! No! I hate you…!”“I said enough!” Connor spoke again, not in a shout, but loud and firm enough that Theodore froze, startled “What do you think you’re doing, acting like this? You know very well why we left that birthday party! If Dr. Eden hadn’t taken care of you, we’d probably be in the hospital right now! Is that what you want? To play for a few minutes and then spend weeks in a hospital bed?”“No, but…” Theo cried, heartbroken “But, I…”"It's okay to be frustrated, son. But it's not okay to act like it. Why do you hate us, anyway? Because we're taking care of you? Well, I'm sorry, but that's exactly what we'll continue to do until you're healthy enough to a
I'm not usually the lazy type, but gosh, the moment I woke up, all I wanted to do was stay in bed. My body felt exhausted, and my head felt heavy, as if every thought weighed a ton. Sleep wasn't letting me remember what had happened to put me in that state, and honestly, I didn't care. At least not at that moment.Not when the bed was making me feel more comfortable than I'd felt in ages. I was snuggled between the soft sheets, enveloped in a warm, inviting warmth. Even the slightly hard pillow seemed to be inviting me to stay there forever. With a small moan of appreciation, I reached out, trying to pull it closer. But instead of a pillowcase or any other textured fabric, my fingers encountered something warm, almost too warm, and oddly shaped. It was firm as muscle and felt almost like skin against mine…The sensation of an arm tightening around my waist made my eyes snap open. And, as I'd feared, it wasn't a pillow pressed against my cheek. It was a human chest, partially revealed
“Uh… Excuse me?” Malik blinked, looking as confused as I was “Do you have a problem?”“Do I have a problem?” Connor growled as if grinding that question between his teeth, but his eyes were focused only on me, intense as if they were on fire “Do you think this is the kind of behavior I expect from my son’s doctor? To be busy flirting while he might be sick somewhere?!”“Feeling sick?” Elijah’s uncle repeated, and even without looking in the same direction as him, I knew Malik was staring at Theo and the other children playing nearby “What are you…?”“Do you have any truly relevant complaints to make, Mr. Mycroft?” I interrupted, crossing my arms over my chest, anger taking over me “Or is preventing me
“Are you sure you want to stay here?” Kayla asked me as soon as Theo had disappeared with Elijah and the other children into the play area “Since they’re busy playing, they’ll probably only remember we exist when they’re hungry.”"I know." I chuckled, my heart feeling much lighter as I watched Theo swimming among the plastic balls, still seemingly getting used to the rhythm of his new friends "But I really want to keep an eye on him. His treatment is going well, but I need to be on the lookout in case he needs help or has an episode of exhaustion. Besides being your guest, I'm also here as his doctor, anyway.""You truly have an admirable love for your work, Eden. I don't know if I could handle a client as demanding as Mr. Mycroft seems to be." she grumbled, as if the mere thought had exhausted her "I went to Jayden's o
“Oh, Eden! You’re here!” The first person to greet us as we walked through the entrance to the Jacksons’ huge garden was Elijah’s mother, Kayla, with a huge smile on her face and her arms outstretched toward me “It’s so good to have you here…”I prepared to hug her back, becoming utterly confused when Kayla stopped at the last second, her eyes wide as if she'd seen a ghost. It took me a moment to realize what was happening and glance over my shoulder to find Ms. Robinson standing behind me, her expression so blank it was almost intimidating. And right behind her, were Theodore and Connor, looking equally displeased.“Oh, Mr. Mycroft, I’m glad you and your son could make it.” Kayla smiled, though her eyes couldn’t stop finding Charlene and all the members of her team scattered around
“Remember, dear, the faster you swallow the pill, the better it will be.” I watched Theodore down the entire glass of water, with a grimace of concentration “That’s it! You’re getting better and better! Soon you’ll be able to take all your meds without even realizing it…”“I’ll never get used to this disgusting thing!” he grumbled, handing me the glass “Can we go to the party now? I’ve taken all my medicine…”“Yes, dear. Now we can go.” I took the hand he had offered me, holding the bag with his gift for Elijah in my other hand “Your father should be waiting for us. Are you ready?”“Yes.” He swallowed hard, looking at his clothes with apprehension “I… I am! I’ll work hard to make new friends… But you’re not leaving my side, right?” He used both of his hands to hold mine tightly, as if his life depended on it.“No, sweetheart.” I smiled, stroking his perfectly combed hair “Don’t be afraid. I’m sure you’ll have fun. Besides, it’s not just your birthday party. It’s the first birthday par