Chapter 30: Could it be your brother's child?
The next morning dawned.
"Samantha, no running. Tie your hair up before you go downstairs."
Nora went to the children's room to catch her daughter who was about to dash downstairs with her hair all over the place, and she pressed her down into a chair.
"Mommy, hurry up. I want to go see Mr. Thomas!" Samantha fiddled with her little fingers.
While Nora was doing her daughter's hair, she playfully scolded, "You ungrateful little thing, how come I never see you rushing to see me bright and early?"
"Because you're not sick, Mommy! Mr. Thomas is sad, stuck in bed and can't move. We need to go down early to keep him company."
Nora found herself at a loss for words.
After tying her daughter's hair into two little braids, the little one couldn't wait any longer and wriggled off the chair, dashing out the door.
"Take it easy, don't trip!" Nora called out, glancing at her sons who were obediently getting ready for the day.
Downstairs.
"Mr. Thomas, you're awake!" Samantha burst into the room and rushed to his side, beaming at Aaron.
Aaron softened at the sound of her childish voice. "Good morning, Samantha."
"Are you thirsty? Can I get you some water?"
"No need, thank you, Samantha."
Nora entered, surprised by the sight of the pair, which gave her an impression of a father and daughter spending time together. She shook her head. What was she thinking?
"Thomas, do you need to use the bathroom?" Nora asked, dismissing the fleeting thought.
Aaron's gaze shifted to her. "What do you think? I've been waiting all morning."
Nora was left speechless. What was with his mood? Was he this grumpy first thing in the morning?
Noticing his dark circles, Nora tried to help him up.
Aaron remained silent, but as Nora helped him, he leaned heavily on her, nearly causing her to collapse.
With all her might, she managed to get him into his wheelchair. "Thomas, have you been indulging a little too much these days? You've gotten heavier."
Aaron shot her a chilly glare. "What, you don't want to feed me well? You trying to mistreat me?"
Nora was dumbfounded. How did a casual remark turn into an accusation of mistreatment?
"Thomas, I care for you round the clock, pampering you with good food. How does that become neglect?"
"Hear that reluctance in your voice."
Nora rolled her eyes. His tone was sarcastically weird. Something was off with him.
After settling him on the commode, she eyed him carefully. "Thomas, women can be moody for a few days each month. Men must have their days too. Are you having a 'man period'?"
Aaron glanced at her. "I'm not a woman; I don't have mood swings."
"Hah, you're fussier than a woman," Nora retorted.
Aaron chose to keep quiet until he was done.
As Nora deftly took care of him, he couldn't help but blurt out, "You have a thing for jerks?"
Pausing mid-motion, Nora chuckled. "Why would any sane person be into jerks?"
Aaron queried skeptically, "So, you're thinking of getting back with your ex-hubby?"
At his question, Nora's hands stilled while she was helping him with his pants.
"What normal woman would want to share her man, like sharing a piece of cake?" she quipped, her voice hinting at an unspoken truth.
Yet, despite her denial, the word 'Husband' seemed to linger on her lips all too frequently.
A flash of irony sparked in Aaron's eyes.
Catching his look, Nora leaned in close, her face inches from his. "Thomas, what's gotten into you today? Your words have been pretty sharp."
Her flawless complexion was soft and smooth, with the natural glow of perfect health. The subtle scent of her perfume lingered in the air, unexpectedly mouthwatering.
Aaron swallowed, and instinctively leaned back.
What was she doing, being so close?
A giggle interrupted the moment from the doorway.
"Samantha, what's so funny?" Nora asked, straightening up to see her daughter peeking in with a hand over her mouth.
Lowering her hand, Samantha beamed and teased, "Mommy, are you gonna kiss Mr. Thomas?"
Nora was momentarily speechless. Was her daughter's imagination a bit too vivid?
"Kissing? Where on earth did you learn that?"
"From TV!"
"No more boring soap operas for you," Nora scolded, ushering Aaron out with feigned sternness.
Blinking her big, bright eyes, Samantha grinned and said slyly, "Mommy's shy! Don't worry, I'll keep your secret safe."
Nora was at a loss for words. What secret was her little munchkin keeping?
"What secret are you keeping for Mommy?" asked Alex and Billy, descending the stairs, brimming with curiosity.
Samantha giggled, "I'm not telling you guys. Mommy was about to kiss Mr. Thomas!"
Nora could only shake her head.
"Oops, Mommy, I let the secret slip."
"That's not a secret, it's your wild imagination!"
"Mommy, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have laughed and interrupted you and Mr. Thomas."
"Samantha, one more word of nonsense and Mommy's gonna spank you!"
"Um, let's go have breakfast!"
Watching the cheerful family dynamic, Aaron felt the tension easing out of him. His gaze fell on Nora's slender figure, and he swallowed hard once more.
His leg was broken, but his masculine desires remained untamed.
Her proximity had just stirred something within him...
After Nora wrapped up the breakfast chaos for the kids, her phone rang.
"Nora, there's a patient—we had a car crash last night. Held on through the night, but it's a vegetative state now. The family's offering twenty million to bring in Dr. Sun. They're at Central Hospital at the moment. You up for it?"
The caller was her senior, Jack.
And Dr. Sun? That was her.
Over the past few years, her academic achievements and a number of tricky surgeries had built her quite the reputation.
But she loathed complications, so the circle that truly knew her as Dr. Sun remained small.
"Jack, shoot me the medical report, will 'ya?"
"Sure thing."
In no time, Jack texted the patient's details to Nora's phone.
Nora scrutinized the report, her pretty face set in concentration.
The patient was sixty-three, a brain hemorrhage pressuring nerves, causing deep comatose.
Another surgery seemed out of the question—the risks too high for someone of that age.
Yet, it seemed manageable to her.
After a moment's thought, Nora rang Jack back.
"Jack, count me in."
"Great."
She hung up, changed into her professional attire, and headed for the door.
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