Joxan frowned, visibly annoyed, but his actions betrayed his true feelings. He gently shifted Oasis off his shoulder and onto the bed. Then, quietly, he pulled the quilt over him. When he noticed Oasis wasn’t wearing socks, he frowned even deeper. Carefully, he lifted Oasis’s bare legs onto the bed and tucked the quilt around his feet.At that moment, Elyana stood at the door. She had come to check on them but paused upon seeing the scene unfold.She didn’t walk in. Instead, she gently retreated without making a sound, not wanting to disturb the moment.Joxan had always been an introverted child. He’d matured far too early and kept his distance from most people, only letting in those he deemed truly important. Elyana had long noticed that, while Joxan often looked down on Oasis or scolded him with impatience, there was something different in the way he treated him.And now, she saw it clearly.The way Joxan gently pulled the blanket over him, the way he removed Oasis’s shoes and cover
He wanted to stay. Every part of him longed to remain with them—to linger in their warmth, their laughter, the illusion that he was still a part of this little family. But Austin also knew his place. Knew the painful truth looming ahead.He looked at Joxan, wondering silently: Once they find out I’m not their real father, that it’s Daimon… will they stop loving me? Will they stop calling me Dad?He had raised them with his own hands, loved them with a depth that no blood relation could dictate. How was he supposed to endure being separated from them?Even though his heart was restless, he managed a calm smile. “All my things are still at the hotel,” he said, brushing a hand over Joxan’s hair. “So it’s best if I head back. I’ll see you later, alright?”“You can stay here,” Elyana said, entering the room with Oasis beside her.Austin looked at her, and for a fleeting moment, he almost agreed. But then he forced himself to smile again. “I’d love to. But I’ve got a conference to attend, y
Elyana looked down at the little boy, her heart twisting. There was no doubt in Oasis’s eyes—just fierce determination. His love for Daimon was pure, unconditional. No matter what Daimon had done or how broken the family had become, Oasis still loved him with all his heart.“Joxan gave blood too, didn’t he?” Ertha spoke up quietly, stepping beside James. “That’s why I called him. I knew Oasis might be needed. Boss can’t afford to wait.”Oasis lit up. “Really? brother gave blood too? That means we’re really brothers! We even have the same blood type! Maybe Daddy can be your godfather now—and then we’ll be family for real!”“I don’t want that,” Joxan snapped without hesitation. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t do it for your dad. I only did it because of you. So stop talking nonsense.”Oasis blinked in surprise. His smile faltered, and he looked a little lost again. Joxan always confused him—hot one second, cold the next.But even so, Oasis felt thankful. He looked at Joxan and said
She knelt down in front of him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Joxan, you don’t need to worry about things like that. I’m not mad at you. Not one bit.”Joxan hesitated, then looked her in the eyes. “You… don’t really like him, do you? I mean, the man I gave blood to. You looked… really sad when he got hurt"Elyana froze. How was she supposed to explain emotions even she didn’t understand?“Are you… unhappy that I saved him?” Joxan added softly.She didn’t answer him directly. Instead, she gently asked, “How do you feel about it? About what you did?”Joxan blinked. “I don’t know. I don’t think I’m happy. But I didn’t want him to die, either.”After a short pause, he added with a hint of sadness, “You came back because of my little sister, right? That’s what you said. But since we’ve been here… you’re always around him. Is it because he’s the only one who can help her? If he dies… does it mean she won’t be okay?”His voice was calm, but the words cut deeply.Elyana’s heart sque
After the doctor took Joxan away for the preliminary tests, and the nurses had all disappeared into the corridors, the hallway fell into a tense, quiet stillness. The soft hum of the emergency room lights buzzed above them. Austin stood beside Elyana, his hands tucked into his coat pockets, eyes heavy with unspoken thoughts.Once he was sure no one else was around, he finally spoke, his voice quiet but strained.“Why are you doing this, Elyana? He’s the man who broke you. And Joxan… he’s still just a kid.”Elyana didn’t look at him. Her gaze was fixed on the glowing red sign above the operating room door. Her hands were clenched tightly in front of her, knuckles white. After a moment, she murmured, almost like she was speaking to herself rather than answering him.“He can’t die. Not now… not like this. Jessica needs him.”Austin’s jaw tensed. He had known her long enough to recognize that distant look in her eyes. The one she wore when her heart was somewhere far away—somewhere it did
"Mummy, are you okay? How is he?" When Joxan saw Elyana, she couldn't help but burst into tears.She had always doubt that Joxan know something about Daimon and her relationship. If he knew will her blame her?Elyana suddenly found it difficult to face her kids.She did not expect Daimon to do that."Mummy"Subconsciously, Elyana looked up at Jessica. She was afraid that Jessica would also blame her. Although she did not tell her kids about their background, she still felt afraid and worried.Joxan seemed to be able to understand Elyana's uneasiness. He stepped forward and took Elyana's.hand and said, "Mommy, nothing will happen, I'm sure nothing will happen"At that moment, the doctor stepped out of the emergency room, his face solemn and lined with exhaustion.Elyana immediately rushed forward, clutching his sleeve, her voice hoarse. “How is he? Is he going to be okay?”The doctor let out a quiet sigh. “The knife missed his heart by just one centimeter. He’s stable for now, but—” he