Chapter 88
When you’re sick, it’s only natural to feel fragile–especially for a child. Of course Henry wanted his mom; that was the most instinctive thing in the world.
“Don’t say that. Your mom would never stop loving you,” Timothy said gently. Hearing his voice, Jessica felt a hint of comfort settle in her chest.
Sheila chimed in, “Don’t be scared, Henry. I’m right here too.“”
“Miss Sheila, you’re so nice,” Henry murmured.\
Timothy carried Henry out, with Sheila following close behind.
They all saw Jessica waiting for them.
Her eyes were soft, filled with warmth as she stepped forward and reached out, wanting to take Henry from Timothy’s arms. “Mommy…” Henry’s voice was faint.
Last time it was just a fever–he’d been groggy, uncomfortable, but he’d managed. This time, the pain in his stomach was sharp and relentless. For a little boy, pain was always harder to bear.
Whenever he’d had a stomachache before, his mom would hold him close and gently rub his tummy, soothing the pain and making it a little more bearable.
Tonight, something in Jessica’s heart shifted. When she heard her son’s voice, so full of longing and trust, she felt even more tender than the last time he’d been sick. Her eyes grew misty, and she didn’t wait for Timothy to hand Henry over. Instead, she scooped him up in her own arms.
Henry clung to her neck, his voice thick with discomfort. “Mommy, rub my tummy, it really hurts…”
Jessica hurriedly patted Henry’s back and started down the stairs as fast as she could.
With Henry in her arms, she couldn’t sign, but Timothy understood without words. He turned to Sheila and said, “You just got off a long flight. Why don’t you rest here? Jessica and I will take Henry to the hospital.”
“Alright. Be careful on the road,” Sheila replied.
Timothy followed Jessica downstairs, his steps steady and determined.
Sheila stayed behind, not wanting to intrude. From the look on Henry’s face, it was obvious he only wanted his mom. Tagging along would only make things awkward.
Still, it was strange–Henry had suddenly become so attached to Jessica. And Timothy’s attitude toward her, the mute woman, seemed unexpectedly gentle. Sheila wandered into her room and stood by the window, watching as Timothy’s car pulled away from the house and disappeared into the night. Then she headed downstairs.
She pushed open the master bedroom door.@
On the table in the sitting area sat a half–eaten birthday cake. An empty disposable plate a leftover from the cake–rested on the nightstand.)
it wasn’t Timothy’s birthday. It wasn’t Henry’s either.
So, it must have been Jessica’s birthday.
Tonight, Timothy had spent the whole evening upstairs with Jessica and Henry, He kept checking his watch; just before ten, he finally went downstairs. A short time later, Sheila heard the car start.
She clenched her fists.
The sheets and blankets were rumpled. A bath towel lay crumpled on the floor. Looking closer, she noticed a damp patch on the bed.
Sheila’s fists tightened until her knuckles turned white. She turned and left the bedroom.
Had Timothy really fallen for that mute woman?!
When she wasn’t around, they’d gotten married, had a child, built a life together. She hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, so it hadn’t bothered her–until now.
But now, despite her being back, Timothy was still so close with Jessica…
She remembered last time, when things had gone so far that Jessica’s lips had bled.
Timothy had always seemed to care about their past, so why was he still so intimate with Jessica, even now that Sheila had returned?
She refused to believe Timothy would behave this way. It had to be Jessica–she might look quiet and innocent, but Sheila was convinced she was nothing but a sly little temptress, seducing Timothy behind everyone’s back.
In Sheila’s mind, Timothy was never the type for casual affairs. He always carried himself with restraint, every inch the image of self–control.
That damned mute woman!
stomachache.
All the way to the hospital, Jessica kept rubbing Henry’s belly, but the pain wouldn’t let up. She grew more and more anxious–this didn’t feel like an ordinary
Timothy pressed harder on the gas.
At the hospital, the doctor examined Henry and quickly diagnosed acute appendicitis. He needed immediate
No wonder the pain had come on so suddenly and wouldn’t stop.
surgery.
