Chapter 223
Chapter 223
Eliana replied, “Mom has called to ask about you several times. I can’t really just take you away, can I?”
Isaac grew even sadder. “But I can’t bear to leave you and Theodore. I don’t want to be sent away. I just want to stay with you both and keep playing together forever.”
Seeing this, Eliana stepped closer, gently took his hand, and said with a smile, “Isaac, you’ve made lots of good friends this month, haven’t you?”
Isaac thought of those girls who often came over to visit and responded. “Yeah.”
Eliana continued gently, “So, besides Theodore and me, there’s a whole world out there waiting for you. We may not always have much time to spend with you, but the teachers at the therapy center would love to guide you and help you learn more.”
Isaac replied hesitantly, “They’re so nice. They teach me other languages. Now I can say one to ten in Spanish.”
Seeing him counting on his fingers, Eliana patiently listened until he finished.
Then she pointed at his phone and said gently, “Look, I’ve already saved the therapy center’s address in your Notes. When you have some free time, play with them and maybe learn something new, alright?”
“Yay!” Isaac’s face lit up at the prospect of going to play.
Eliana finally breathed a sigh of relief. On the surface, Isaac seemed just like his usual self, but she knew that even mentioning the word “fire” would send him spiraling back into his manic state.
The doctor explained that Isaac had developed Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder. That was why Eliana now urgently needed Bernice’s help to assist Isaac in overcoming this trauma.
Just then, a sharp cramp suddenly shot through her lower abdomen.
Seeing her touch her stomach, Isaac couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What’s wrong, Ellie?”
A familiar discomfort washed over Eliana, making her a bit uneasy. She said, “Isaac, wait here for a moment. I need to use the restroom.”
“Okay, Ellie,” Isaac said obediently.
In the restroom, Eliana looked down and gasped–her period had started.
‘It must be all the stress and my messed–up routine this month throwing my cycle off,‘ she thought. ‘But I’m out in public right now. What am I supposed
to do?”
Just as she was worrying, her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She pulled it out and saw a text from Theodore: [I’m parked right outside the hospital. Need me to come up and help?]
Eliana’s face lit up with relief, and she replied instantly: [I got my period. Can you buy me some pads?]
Meanwhile, downstairs at the hospital, Theodore’s handsome face twisted into an odd expression as he read the text. “Pads?”
The driver in the front seat thought Theodore was talking to him, so he asked, “Sir, do you say something?”
Clearing his throat slightly, Theodore replied, “It’s nothing. Check where the nearest supermarket or convenience store is.”
“Yes, sir.” The driver checked the navigation. “There’s a convenience store about half a mile away. Should we head there now?”
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10:40 Tue, 24 Jun G
Chapter 223
Theodore rubbed his phone thoughtfully and gave a nod.
Inside the convenience store, two female clerks were yawning, waiting for their shift to end. At the sound of the door chime, they instinctively looked up.
‘Oh my god, he’s gorgeous,‘ they thought.
At the sight of Theodore, they were suddenly wide awake, practically tripping over each other as they rushed out from behind the counter.
Clerk A asked, “Sir, what can I help you?”
Clerk B said, “Just tell me what you need–I’ll take you right to it.”
Clerk A added, “I can get it for you.”
Clerk B continued, “I’ll even pay for it if you want.”
Clerk A shot Clerk B a look. “Damn girl, you’re really going all out.”
“I need to get…” Theodore balked at saying “sanitary pads” aloud.
Cutting them off, he simply said, “I’ll look around myself. Carry on with your work.”
Hearing this, the two clerks could only pretend to be busy while sneaking glances at him.
Clerk A whispered, “Hey, what do you think he does?”
Clerk B replied, “With that vibe? He’s gotta be some big shot. Actually, he looks kinda familiar, like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”
Clerk A said, “Yeah, maybe in your dreams.”
Clerk B snapped, “Shut up.”
On the other side, as Theodore wandered into the feminine care aisle, his mind went completely blank.
‘Why the hell are there so many types of pads?‘ he thought desperately.
He had no choice but to pull out his phone, planning to snap a few photos and let Eliana choose. But just then, a young mother carrying a baby started walking his way.
He quickly put his phone away. ‘I really don’t want to be mistaken for a creep,‘ he thought.
After picking out her items, the young mother turned and noticed Theodore still lingering nearby. Out of kindness, she asked, “Excuse me, are you here to buy pads for your partner?”
Annoyed at being approached in such an awkward situation, Theodore retorted, “Who else would I be buying them
yself?”
The young mother remained unfazed and simply said, “You’ve been standing here for a while. Having trouble choosing, aren’t you?”
Theodore’s irritation grew, and he thought, ‘Seriously? So I’ve just been her entertainment this whole time?‘
Just as he glared at her, the young mother handed him a pack of pads and said, “This one’s pretty good–breathable and helps prevent leaks.”
Theodore’s angry expression froze mid–glaye. He was about to reach for it, but she simply dropped the pack into her own basket at her feet.
‘So she was just giving me a product demo?‘ Theodore thought, utterly dumbfounded.
10:40 Tue, 24 Jun G
Chapter 223
Maybe noticing how lost Theodore looked, the young mother smiled warmly and said, “Let me get it for you. Can you hold my baby for a sec?”
Before Theodore could even react, he suddenly found himself holding a baby–the little one sucking on a pacifier and staring up at him with wide,
curious eyes.
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The young mother grabbed a pack of sanitary pads from the shelf and said, “My husband used to be just like you–he never knew what to pick. You’ll get used to it after a few more trips.”
Theodore thought, ‘Once is bad enough. She wants me to do this several times?‘
Noticing his expression, the young mother chuckled. “What’s the big deal? Someday you might even have to pick out diapers for your baby.”
With that, she placed the pack of sanitary pads into her shopping basket at his feet.
“Thank you,” Theodore said. As he was about to hand the baby back, he noticed the baby’s face suddenly scrunch up, then relax a few seconds later.
At that moment, the young mother exclaimed, “Oh no, my baby just pooped.”
Theodore froze, completely at a loss.
“Sorry about that,” the young mother said as she took her baby back. “Quick, check if your suit got soiled.”
Theodore stiffly looked down–his suit was fine, but the baby’s poop smelled so foul that he immediately shrugged off his jacket, thinking, ‘Gosh, I wish I could just burn it right now.‘
Just then, a female clerk approached and asked eagerly, “Sir, do you need any help?”
“No, thanks. Her baby just pooped. You should go help her,” Theodore replied curtly, then grabbed the basket by his feet and strode toward the checkout
counter.
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