Chapter 30：Sensitive Adam

Ursula bolted toward the weathered old house, her footsteps erratic. She nearly stumbled in her haste, refusing to slow down until she reached to her destination.

"Grandma, how's Adam?" she called out breathlessly.

Emily Fisher appeared, concern etched on her face. "Oh, Ursula, Adam's asleep now, but his fever's still high. I've tried everything," she said, her voice heavy with worry.

Ursula took charge, her heart heavy with guilt for the burdens her grandmother bore because of her choices. "Grandma, you've done enough. I'll take it from here."

Emily nodded, her aged eyes soft with love. "As long as you're both okay, that's all that matters. He's inside," she said, her voice was tender.

Ursula entered the sparse room where her three-year-old son lay, his small face flushed with fever. Guilt washed over her, if only she'd been more careful during her pregnancy, maybe he wouldn't be suffering now.

She scooped up Adam in a light blanket, feeling the delicate weight of her son in her arms, a stark reminder of her shortcomings as a mother.

For three years, she'd juggled her secret life, sneaked to visit her son in the countryside, always wary of Matthew's suspicion. The guilt of leaving Adam behind haunted her.

"Grandma, please rest. I'll take Adam to the hospital," Ursula insisted, knowing her grandmother's frailty made it difficult for her to travel at night.

"Be careful, dear," Emily replied, her voice laced with concern. Ursula felt the warmth of her grandmother's gaze as she left, nearly bringing her to tears once more.

The driver, noticing Ursula returning with a child, quickly opened the car door, asking with a hint of concern, "Miss, is the child sick? Nobody is with to give you a hand?"

Ursula's heart skipped, but she managed to answer calmly, "Thank you. This is my son, Adam. He's unwell, so I'm taking him to the hospital."

Realizing he had touched a sensitive subject, the driver nodded silently and started the car.

Ursula ignored his sympathetic sigh, focusing instead on Adam, who was now stirring, his feverish eyes finding her face. "Mommy, you came back for me?" he whispered.

"Yes, sweetheart. Mommy's here," Ursula reassured him, her heart was breaking at his bravery. His gaze clung to her as if she was afraid that she'd vanish if he blinked.

Adam feared it was a dream, one he didn't want to end. Ursula soothed him, "You can sleep, my love. I'll be here when you wake up."

Clutching her clothes, Adam murmured, "Promise you won't disappear?"

"I promise," Ursula whispered back, her voice catching as she stroked his hair. Adam's features, so reminiscent of Matthew's, made hiding him essential. Anyone who knew Matthew would instantly recognize his son.

As Adam drifted back to sleep, Ursula's thoughts lingered on the secret they'd kept for three years, a secret that was about to come to an end.

"Mommy, don't go..." Adam mumbled in his sleep, his words piercing Ursula's heart. He had stopped asking about his father, accepting their life with a resilient smile. But in his dreams, the longing for a father's presence still lingered.