Chapter 3

On the third day, Selena finally came to the hospital, and she didn't come alone.

Joe held Katy's hand as they followed Selena, a basket of fruit in the other hand.

Katy was holding the latest game console, which Selena bought for her last week. Simon had been eyeing it for ages, but Selena said it was too expensive and that kids shouldn't get caught up in games.

"How is Simon doing?" Selena walked in, seemingly concerned. But when I looked up, I met her eyes—calm and without a trace of emotion.

I was lost in thought for a moment and accidentally cut my fingertip with the blade. A bead of blood immediately formed and dripped onto the apple I had only halfway peeled.

The cut hurt, but my heart hurt even more.

"Eric, I'm talking to you." Selena frowned in displeasure.

"As you said, the doctor was there. Simon's fine." I remarked coldly.

"What's with your attitude?"

"Eric, are you still upset?" Joe walked over with a smile and placed the basket of fruit on the bedside table.

"Selena had no choice. Katy's competition the other day was way too important. It could affect her future school admission. Since Simon's surgery was successful, it really wasn't that urgent anymore."

I set the blade down and looked up at him. "Joe, can you be any more shameless?"

Joe's expression froze, and he turned to Selena, saying, "Selena, I was just being nice and decided to see how Simon was doing."

Selena's expression immediately darkened. "Eric, if you're angry, take it out on me. Don't go after Joe.

"He's Simon's godfather. He came to see Simon because he cares about him."

"Godfather?" I let out a chuckle. "Did I ever agree to that?"

"If I say yes, that's all that matters!" Selena raised her voice. "Wouldn't it be nice to have another person caring for Simon? Don't be so petty. You're a grown man."

"I don't need that."

I pointed at the door. "Get lost."

"You…"

"Daddy, it's really loud…" Simon woke up. Startled, he looked at us timidly.

Selena's expressions softened a little. She walked over and reached out to stroke his head. "Simon, I'm here to see you. I even brought your godfather and Katy here."

Simon looked away and shrank back from her touch. Her hand froze in midair.

"Simon?"

"You're a bad mommy." Simon's voice was soft, but every word was crystal clear.

"I don't need another godfather. Nathan's already my godfather. I don't like this guy." Simon pointed at Joe.

Children spoke without filters, and their words could hurt the most.

Joe pretended to be hurt. "Simon, did your father teach you to say all that? I really adore you…"

"Eric, what have you been teaching our son all this while?"

Selena flew into a rage and pointed at me. "You've raised him to be so rude!"

"The kid is just telling the truth." I rose to my feet and stood in front of Simon.

"He knows who treats him well and who doesn't. Unlike some people, who are blind to the truth."

The atmosphere grew tense.

Selena was so angry that her chest heaved. She tugged at Joe and turned to leave. "Let's go! I tried to be nice, and this is what I get in return!"

But Joe didn't move an inch. He spoke hesitantly, his voice soft. "Selena, don't be like that. Eric's just worn out from taking care of the kid, so he's in a bad mood.

"Katy, go play with Simon for a while. Show him your toy."

Katy was already eight years old, but she had grown somewhat spoiled and willful. She walked over to the bed and tossed the game console onto Simon.

It happened to land near his incision.

"Ah!" Simon yelped in pain.

I hurried over and pulled back the blanket. It was a good thing the game console didn't hit the incision, but it had struck his collarbone.

"Why did you do that?" I shoved Katy away. She lost her balance, staggered backward, and fell to the floor, landing on her bottom.

"Ah!" Katy screamed at the top of her lungs. "Daddy! He hit me! This evil man hit me!"

Joe yelped in alarm and rushed over to hold Katy in his arms. "Katy, are you hurt? Selena, look at Eric! How could he hit a child?"

Selena hurried over and shoved me aside. "Eric, are you nuts? Katy's just a kid. Why did you push her?"

"She threw her toy at Simon!" I pointed at Simon. "He just had his surgery!"

"It's just a toy. Could it really kill him? Kids don't know their strength, and that's normal! Must you push her like that?"

I looked up in disbelief, only to see nothing but disgust in Selena's eyes.