Adam watched Irene work, un tally quiet as rain tapped against the windows. His jaw tightened before he finally spoke up. 

“So my legs…” He hesitated, frustration seeping through. Are they actually getting better at all? 

Irene looked up, surprised. This wasn’t the confident CEO she knew the doubt or fear in his eyes was unmistakable. 

“Are you kidding? Absolutely, she said, hands still moving. “Way faster than I thought you would. 

She could read it all over his face. Every session, his answers were the same just faint tingles, slight pressure. For a guy who expected immediate results in everything, this snail’s pace must feel like nothing. 

“Hey,” she said, voice softening, ‘recovery isn’t like flipping a switch it’s messy.” She pressed a point on his leg. “Think about it though–before we started, could you feel anything? Even these tiny sensations?” 

Adam thought for a second. 

“Not really, no,” he conceded. “Nothing worked before.” 

“See? That’s progress, real progress.” 

Adam watched her work, somehow reassured by her confidence. Something about her certainty made his own doubts fade. 

Her hand moved to adjust a sensor and brushed against his. Just half a second of contact. Their eyes met briefly before darting away. His fingers curled slightly, like they were trying to hold onto that fleeting warmth.” 

“We should get some real scans done,” she said, back to business. “See exactly what’s happening in there.” 

“I can tell Thomas to- 

“Nah, Katherine knows everyone at the hospital,” she interrupted. “I set it up for tomorrow if you’re free.” She started packing up movements quick and efficient. “I’ll tag along–want to see the results myself.” 

Adam just nodded–surprisingly accepting for a man who typically questioned everything. 

Rain pounded against the windows as Irene finished up. Thomas appeared in the doorway, frowning at the downpour. 

“You’ll get soaked. Let me find you an umbrella.” 

“It’s fine,” Irene called after him. “Just a quick sprint to my place. No big deal!” 

www 

Before he could argue, she grabbed her bag and darted out. The cold rain hit her instantly, soaking through her clothes as she ran 

across to her house. 

She fumbled with her key, shivering as water dripped down her neck. Her clothes stuck to her skin like plastic wrap, hair plastered 

to her face. 

“Whew–that rain’s no joke!” she muttered, arms wrapped around herself. 

Upstairs, she cranked the shower as hot as it would go, but couldn’t quite shake the deep chill in her bones. Even buried under her comforter later, that coolness lingered. She didn’t think much of it–she never got sick, and she’d definitely been through worse than a little rain.” 

Sunlight streamed across Irene’s bed the next morning. She pushed herself up and the world spun sideways. Blackness crept in from 

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Chapter 162 

the comers of her vision as ale grabbed the headboard to steady her fell. 

Her hand moved to het forehead. Hot. Too hot. 

“Seriously?” she whispered to her empty room. From that rain?” 

She waited for the dizziness to pass, then tried again. Her limbs moved like they belonged to someone else–heavy and uncoordinated. 

She made her way downstairs one careful step at a time, gripping the banister, Joseph lowered his newspaper as she entered the living room. 

His eyes narrowed. “You look terrible.* 

“Fever,” she managed, voice scraping her throat. The rain. 

The triplets emerged from the kitchen balancing breakfast plates. Alex stopped short when he spotted her. 

“Mom?” His voice dropped, eyes widening. 

“Just a fever,” she admitted, shoulders sagging. 

A chorus of footsteps scattered in different directions. Lucas slid the plate onto the coffee table. “Don’t move–I’ve got this 

Alex disappeared upstairs. Lily’s small hand pressed against Irene’s. You need to rest.” 

Joseph set his newspaper aside, watching the children with a lifted eyebrow before pointing a finger at Irene. 

“No more dashing through rainstorms.” 

His gruff concern and the children’s instant mobilization caught Irene off guard. Five years of handling everything alone, and now this–people who noticed when something was wrong. 

“I’ll be careful,” she murmured, the words coming out softer than intended. 

Joseph’s expression softened. “Three kids and still no sense to come in from the rain.” 

Lucas returned, standing tall as he pointed to the breakfast. His chin lifted in an attempt to look older. “Everything on that plate needs to disappear.” 

Irene nodded, hiding her smile. The role reversal felt strange but oddly comforting. 

Alex appeared with the medicine box, chest puffed with importance. Two pills, tons of water, sleep. Doctor’s orders.” 

The children led her through breakfast and medicine with solemn determination. For the first time, Irene found herself on the other side of care–not giving instructions, but following them. 

The doorbell jolted Irene awake. Voices drifted up from downstairs Adam’s unmistakable among them. She checked the clock, surprised to see she’d slept half the day away. 

“Is Irene around?” Adam was asking as she reached the top of the stairs. 

“Uncle Adam!” Lily’s squeal carried all the way up. “Mom’s sick! She’s got a fever!” 

“She’s under the weather,” Joseph confirmed. 

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Chapter 162 

Lucas and Alex popped up belfind their sister. “Hey, Uncle Adam.” 

Thomas, hovering beside Adani’s wheelchair, couldn’t help himself.uess even super–doctors catch bugs, huh? Who knew?” 

Adam gave him a look that could freeze water. “Doctors are human o, Thomas.” 

Thomas clamped his mouth shut, suddenly finding the view outside fascinating. 

Irene paused on the stairs, smiling at Adam’s defense. She made her way down, drawing everyone’s attention. 

The triplets swarmed her, bombarding her with questions. She managed a tired smile, clearly not her usual energetic self. 

“I’m fine, guys. Fever’s mostly gone. Don’t worry.” 

She glanced at Adam, half–embarrassed, half–amused. “Can’t believe little rain knocked me out like this.” 

His eyes took in her flushed cheeks and the way she steadied herself against the banister. A hint of a smile appeared. “Be more careful next time.” His fingers tapped lightly on his wheelchair armrest, like he was stopping himself from doing something more. 

Irene nearly rolled her eyes. He sounded like a boss giving a performance review. But something in his gaze felt different. 

“Hospital’s off today, I guess,” she said, thoughts slightly scattered. “Maybe tomorrow?” 

“Whenever,” Adam said softly, eyes still on her face. “No hurry.” 

The triplets traded looks nearby. Alex and Lucas exchanged a silent message while Lily giggled into her hand. All three watched the adults like they were an entertaining show. 

Across town, Samantha sat alone in her suite, light glinting off crystal fixtures and polished surfaces. 

Her manicured finger traced down a paper filled with Irene’s personal details. Her lips curved upward, eyes never warming as she studied the information. 

The paper lowered slowly as she gazed into the distance, already calculating her next move. 

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