Skylar gave Brada a quick acupuncture treatment, then removed the needles. “After today, I won’t need to come back,
she said.
Brada thought, ‘Not coming back?
‘Does that mean I won’t get to enjoy Skylar’s tender care anymore?
‘Does this mean I won’t get these precious moments alone with Skylar anymore?
‘No way. If that’s what it takes to spend more time alone with Skylar and get closer to her, then so be it. I’ll go all out!
“Skylar,” Brada said with feigned weakness, “I’m not quite recovered yet. Could you come back tomorrow for another acupuncture session?”
Skylar shot him a skeptical glance. Just moments ago during the acupuncture, he had been grimacing in pain, so she wondered why he was suddenly so eager for another session.
“You’re completely recovered now. Any more acupuncture could actually do harm,” Skylar said firmly.
To shut him up, Skylar called for a doctor and insisted on a full medical examination.
Brada didn’t want to do it.
With the doctors already there, Brada had no choice but to submit to the examination.
The examination was completed, and the medical report showed he was perfectly normal now.
Skylar said, “See? I told you there was nothing wrong with you.”
Brada slumped, as listless as a wilted flower.
A moment later, he perked up again and asked hopefully, “Skylar, I’m being discharged tomorrow. Would you come get
me?
“Skylar, I want you to be the first person I see when I’m discharged.”
“Sure,” Skylar agreed.
She thought, ‘After all, we’re business partners. It’s only proper etiquette to pick him up when he’s discharged.‘
Brada was secretly pleased with himself.
Adam quickly chimed in, not wanting his mom to be alone with Brada. “Brada, don’t worry! Tomorrow, our whole family will come with Mom to pick you up from the hospital!”
Brada’s smile froze on his face.
‘I don’t want them interfering! No way!‘ Brada thought vehemently.
งน
Chapter 230
Brada nervously fidgeted with his fingers and said, “Adam, tomorrow’s a school day, shouldn’t you be in class? And your dad must be pretty busy with work, right?
“Your mom coming alone is more than enough. There’s no need for you all to trouble yourselves.”
Adam’s voice trembled, his eyes brimming with tears. “I’m too sick to go to school.”
Adam threw himself into his father’s arms and sobbed, “Daddy, hold me.”
Yosef scooped Adam into his arms, gently stroking the back of his head.
“This is only temporary. Soon, very soon, I promise you’ll get better,” Yosef said firmly, holding Adam close.
Adam simply couldn’t stop his emotions from spiraling downward. He buried his face in Yosef’s arms, silent tears streaming down his cheeks.
Brada was overwhelmed with guilt.
He thought, ‘Did I just say the wrong thing? If I hadn’t, little Adam wouldn’t have ended up in tears.”
‘Nothing in what I said was offensive or harsh, so why did it make Adam cry?‘ Brada wondered, genuinely puzzled.
Seeing Adam cry, Skylar’s heart ached.
She was not fooled by Adam’s carefree ways and constant smile. Years of illness have left him a bit sensitive inside.
Skylar sighed to herself.
At this point, the only option was to find a suitable heart donor for Adam as soon as possible. Otherwise, as he grew older, his condition would become increasingly life–threatening,
Skylar noticed the guilt on Brada’s face and gently reassured him, “This isn’t your fault. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
Brada bit his lip and said, “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have said that.
“Adam, I’m really sorry. I never meant to hurt your feelings,” Uncle said gently.
“It’s okay. You didn’t know. I don’t blame you,” Adam murmured, briefly lifting his head to respond before retreating back into his protective shell.
Brada still couldn’t shake off the guilt.
He thought, ‘Once I’m discharged, I’ll ask Skylar exactly what happened to little Adam, and then I’take a proper apology to him.‘
Everyone was gone. Only Brada remained in the hospital room.
