Chapter 855 Forget Those! From Now On, You Are Nancy's Brother
Nancy took Benjamin's temperature and gave him some medicine, but half an hour later, his fever still hadn't gone down.
She gently touched his forehead with her palm; it was burning hot.
She decided it was time to go to the hospital.
She softly patted his little face, called his name, and quietly told him they needed to go to the hospital.
Benjamin, half-conscious, struggled to get up and dress himself, insisting on going downstairs on his own.
Nancy felt a pang of sadness.
She knew she hadn't been kind to him, often being harsh, which made him try his best even in a daze. She stroked Benjamin's head and hugged him.
Benjamin buried his head in her embrace and refused to come out.
Even with a fever, he started to cry, clutching her tightly with his small hands.
Nancy looked down and gently stroked him, feeling even more sorrowful.
She blamed him, but who could he blame? He had no choice in his birth circumstances. Who would willingly choose to be an illegitimate child?
Nancy softly said, "Let's get dressed. I'll take you to the hospital."
Benjamin, still half-asleep, tried to do it himself.
Nancy grabbed his clothes and had him sit on the bed, leaning against her.
She had never taken care of a child before, but at that moment, she was surprisingly adept. Perhaps it was just a woman's instinct.
Benjamin's little face was flushed with fever, and he was unsteady on his feet, but he refused to let Octavia carry him, saying he didn't want to tire her out.
He was very considerate, knowing Octavia was there to take care of the future baby. He was a big boy now, and Octavia couldn't carry him.
Octavia felt sorry for him and half-carried him downstairs.
Nancy, six months pregnant, hailed a cab.
The driver was kind. Seeing two women with a child and no man to help, he stepped forward to help carry Benjamin into the car.
After settling him in, he asked, "Where's the man of the house?"
Nancy softly replied, "He's on a business trip and couldn't make it back in time."
The driver casually remarked, "What kind of father is that? About to have another kid and still leaves his wife and child alone at home. Good thing you have a helper."
Benjamin pressed his lips together tightly.
He quietly grabbed Nancy's hand, afraid she would say he wasn't her child, fearing others would know about his shameful background.
But as the driver got into the car, Nancy softly said, "We'll have to discuss it when he gets back."
The driver stepped on the gas.
He thought Benjamin was good-looking and took another glance in the rearview mirror. He smiled, "The kid looks like you! You two look so much alike!"
Benjamin tensed up again.
Nancy's arm reached down, finding his hand, gently holding his feverish palm.
She let Benjamin lean on her shoulder.
She held him tightly, speaking softly, telling him he could sleep for a while, and she would wake him when they arrived at the hospital.
Benjamin leaned into her embrace, feeling the warmth of her care, his little face turning even redder.
Nancy looked at him and suddenly remembered he was only eight years old.
At the hospital, the driver was kind enough to carry Benjamin to the emergency room and didn't charge extra. He said he saw how tough it was for the two women.
Nancy thanked the driver and quickly found a doctor.
After examining Benjamin, the doctor prescribed medication and said he needed an IV and an overnight stay for observation.
If there were no issues, he could be discharged in the morning, but he would need IV treatment for another day or two.
Octavia went to handle the admission paperwork. She said, "It's just one night. We don't need to waste money on a room. We can manage in the IV room for the night. Mrs. McCall, you should go home. I'll stay here."
Nancy softly replied, "That won't do! It's so cold, and the hospital doesn't have the heat on this time of year. He might get sicker. It's better to spend a little money to keep him comfortable."
Octavia saw she had booked a private room, which cost $4,000 a night.
She tentatively asked, "Is Mr. McCall that wealthy?"
Nancy wasn't naive. She smiled faintly, "If we were that rich, we wouldn't be renting. I just don't want the kid to suffer."
Benjamin was getting his IV, his little face still flushed, watching her.
Nancy touched his face and told him to sleep. By morning, his fever would be gone.
Benjamin held her hand, his voice small, "Will you leave?"
Nancy said she wouldn't, that she would stay right there.
Benjamin shifted, trying to make room for her to lie down. He said, "The baby needs to sleep too!"
Nancy was indeed tired.
She leaned against his pillow, lying on her side, covering herself with half the blanket.
She stayed with Benjamin.
After a while, Benjamin carefully moved closer, resting his little head on her chest. He whispered a soft apology.
Nancy's eyes grew moist again.
She didn't say anything, just held him gently.
After a long time, she softly stroked the back of his head and said, "Forget about all that. From now on, you're my little brother."
Benjamin clung to her, not saying a word, but soon Nancy's chest was wet with his tears.
She sighed inwardly, thinking, 'He's so sensitive. I'll have Grant teach him later.'
By morning, Benjamin's fever had broken.
Nancy then called Grant, telling him about the situation.
Grant was silent for a long time on the phone. He said, "Maybe I should give up the project. I can't stop worrying about you in Syeattel."
Nancy disagreed.
Her voice was low, "You know better than anyone how hard it was to get this project. It's not just about the millions in profit. It's about the Devereux Group backing it. With their support, your future will be much smoother. Without it, who would dare to work with you?"
She spoke bluntly but truthfully.
Grant didn't respond.
Nancy's voice softened, "The money I have, plus what you left for Benjamin, is enough to cover our expenses, even if you never earn another cent. But Grant, you want to make a comeback for a reason. If you think it's not important, you can come back... as long as you don't regret it later."
Grant was moved, "Nancy!"
Nancy's voice choked up, "I don't want luxury. But if you don't strive and work hard, Grant, I'm afraid you'll never be happy. You say keeping me by your side isn't about suffering, but I don't want to be a burden either!"
"Grant, I can take care of myself. I can take care of Benjamin too."
She spoke with unwavering determination.
She thought, she wasn't like this before. She used to be fragile.
It was these past months that made her grow, gave her the confidence to face every challenge in life.
When she said she supported him, she truly meant it, not just waiting at home for him to cook for her.
Nancy's sincerity left Grant speechless.
He softly agreed, saying he'd come back in a few days and told Benjamin to eat more, get sick less, and not trouble Nancy... Benjamin obediently agreed, calling him "Big brother".
Grant hung up the phone.
He looked at himself in the mirror, noticing a few gray hairs. Benjamin actually called him "Big brother," and he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
At the hospital, once Benjamin was confirmed to be okay, Nancy took him home.
This little illness was over.
At lunch, Octavia hesitantly said, "Mrs. McCall, I need to tell you something... My relative just had a baby and needs someone to take care of them, so I might not be able to work here anymore."
Nancy understood immediately.
Octavia found a new client, likely because she thought the work here was too much.
Nancy ate slowly, considering for a moment, then said, "We can discuss your salary, but the most I can offer is an extra $2,000. Any more is impossible. Benjamin only gets sick occasionally and doesn't need constant care. We had an agreement."
Octavia wiped her hands with a napkin.
After a moment, she said, "I'm really sorry, Mrs. McCall. My relative really needs me."
Nancy knew it was about the money.
She needed help, but she couldn't just raise the salary to $20,000. She said, "Alright, I'll settle your pay for the past few days."
Octavia quickly waved her hands, "No need, no need!"
She felt a little guilty since her new boss was literally living right across the hall from Nancy.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
