Chapter 31 Treating him like a loyal dog with a baby.
"Mommy, you're heading out again?" Alex frowned.
"Yeah, Mommy's gotta make a living—how else am I gonna support you munchkins?"
Nora ruffled his hair.
Private preschool, nearly a million a pop in tuition fees.
And with three kids? Do the math.
"Mommy, you going to save people again?" Samantha blinked up with huge eyes.
"That's right, be good for me at home, okay?"
Nora playfully pinched the little one's cheek before heading to the first-floor room for her medical bag.
Aaron was in his wheelchair, reading. He noticed her change of clothes, his dark eyes narrowing.
"Out again?"
He sounded just like Alex.
Nora smiled slyly, "Yep, off to save lives—the kind that pays."
Aaron: "..."
There she was, poking fun at him again.
"You need the bathroom? I can help before I leave," Nora offered.
Aaron smirked coolly, "Thanks for remembering me."
"How could I forget? You're my savior," she teased as she wheeled him towards the bathroom.
She dared to jest?
Without him, she might still be rotting in a cell!
With a scoff in his heart, Aaron watched her kneel down to assist him.
"Nora, don't tell me you're using a rescue mission as an excuse to meet up with that sleazeball Husband of yours?"
Nora shot Aaron a glare. "What nonsense are you spouting now? You think I've got nothing better to do?"
As if Nora wasn't busy enough, darting about every other day. Aaron snorted inwardly.
"And why on earth do you keep bringing up that loser?" Nora asked with genuine curiosity.
Aaron's eyes twinkled mischievously, "Because you're so easily duped, and I can't stand to see you taken for a ride."
Nora furrowed her brows in frustration. "How am I 'easily duped'?"
"If you weren't, would that jerk and his mistress be able to play you like a fiddle?"
"I... " Nora's voice caught in her throat, a lump of frustration forming.
She rolled up her sleeves. "Thomas, what do I do if I feel like hitting someone?"
"Aaron replied, "Nora, remember to use your words, not your fists."
"Well, I'm no lady!"
"You must set a good example in front of the kids."
As Nora raised her hand in protest, Aaron called out, "Samantha!"
The little girl scampered in on her stubby legs. "Mr. Thomas, did you call me?"
"Yeah." Aaron patted her head tenderly, casting a glance at Nora, "Your mommy is a little upset right now."
Samantha blinked before sidling up to Aaron in a protective stance. "Mommy, why are you mad? Mr. Thomas hurt his leg and he's really in a bad way. Give him a smile, won't you?"
Nora almost burst out laughing at the man's cunning glint in his eye. That manipulative sneak had recruited her own daughter as a reinforcement!
"You win thistime, Thomas!" Nora grabbed her purse and headed for the door.
"Alex, keep an eye on your siblings. And remember, it's time for Thomas to take his medicine. Remember, he's on a sugar ban today; no sweets for him."
Aaron's response was a silent groan.
Not this trick again!
"Nora, don't you ever get tired of the same old tactics?"
"Why would I? As long as it works, that's all that matters."
Nora turned back and gave Aaron a gleaming smile. "Thomas, your misery is my joy!"
Aaron was dumbfounded.
This woman was ruthless! And after he had helped her out twice already!
Driving to Central Hospital, Nora found Dean had been waiting for quite some time.
"You must be Dr. Sun, I've heard a lot about you."
Dean was surprised to find the highly acclaimed doctor was such a young woman as he shook her hand.
Nora exchanged pleasantries before inquiring about the patient's current status. Chatting as they walked, Dean led her to the changing room to don her scrubs.
As Nora passed the long corridor outside the operating room, a fleeting glance caught a silhouette standing by the door, causing her eyes to narrow ever so slightly.
The woman was wearing sunglasses, her face obscured.
Yet the outline reminded Nora distinctly of Martha.
What was she doing here?
"Dr. Sun, please," Dean said as he opened a door, gesturing for her to enter.
With a slight nod, Nora pushed aside her curiosity and stepped inside to change into surgical scrubs.
After lunch, Aaron wheeled himself over to continue his reading; a medical textbook lay open on his lap.
Suddenly, a clap of thunder sounded from outside.
Looking up, Aaron noticed the skies had taken on a menacing shade, foreshadowing a fierce downpour.
Upstairs in the children's room, Samantha, who was getting ready for her nap, jumped at the sound, her voice piercing the air.
"Alex, it's thundering, I'm so scared, I'm going to find Mr. Thomas!"
Clutching her doll, she swung the door open and dashed downstairs.
Billy moved to the window, swallowing hard as he took in the threatening sky.
"Alex, should we go downstairs to find Mr. Thomas, too?"
Alex, perched on his small bed, curled his fingers.
He was clearly frightened yet tried to maintain a calm facade.
"Billy, we're men; we can't be afraid of thunder."
Another deep rumble shook the house.
Billy shivered, his complexion turning pale.
"Alex, I-I'm not scared of thunder, but, well, I'm worried about our sister; I'll go check on her."
Alex watched his brother slip away, then quickly scrambled off the bed.
"Then, I guess I'll go check on her too."
His hurried steps betrayed his act of calmness.
Downstairs.
Samantha barged into the room, throwing herself onto Aaron's lap.
"Mr. Thomas, it's thundering outside; I'm really scared!"
Aaron looked at her, bewildered for a moment, then reassured her with a smile, "I’m here, no need to be afraid."
"Thunder must be punishing the naughty people; we're all good kids; Thunder won't bother us."
Samantha's muffled voice came as she buried her head against Aaron's leg.
"That's right, so there's nothing to fear."
Aaron gently stroked her back with soothing words.
Right then, the door swung open again, and the two brothers made their way down.
" Mr. Thomas, we came to check on sis," Billy's voice was tinged with awkwardness.
Alex remained silent, his face mirroring the unease.
Aaron fully understood that the brothers were scared of the thunder too.
He didn't call them out, choosing to protect their fragile pride instead.
Realizing that the three little ones were due for their afternoon nap, he suggested, "Why don't you three take a nap in my bed?"
The brothers exchanged a hesitant glance, uncertainty flickering in their eyes.
Samantha, draped over him, looked up, “Mr. Thomas, will you stay with us through the night?”
Softened by her large, grape-like eyes, Aaron's heart melted a bit.
"Alright, I'll stay with you guys."
With a giggle, Samantha announced, “I’m hopping into bed first!”
Full of excitement, she climbed onto the bed.
The brothers exchanged glances before approaching Aaron.
" Mr. Thomas, need a hand getting into bed?" one asked.
Glancing at their slender arms and legs, Aaron chuckled, “No, I might crush you guys. Your mommy would have my head.”
Even with his bad leg, he still had strong arms.
It was just a bit challenging without any help.
With great effort, Aaron shifted himself onto the bed and laid down in the middle.
Samantha quickly nestled on his right side.
“Come on over, sleep on my left,” Aaron invited, looking toward the standing brothers.
They mumbled an acknowledgment and climbed into bed, lying down obediently.
Occasional flashes of lightning crossed the sky outside, and Aaron glanced left and right, gently patting the three next to him.
The room had a comforting, gentle scent, creating an oddly comforting feeling.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
