Chapter 74
Theodore realized that Eliana had a fever. His brows knitted together, and he couldn’t help but mutter, “Serves her right” Then he comple “You saved Jayden, and what did you get in return?”
He took a deep breath, turned around, grabbed his phone, and called Samuel,
“What’s up? I’m busy working on your new meds.” Samuel sounded excited and a little annoyed to be interrupted.
Theodore said in a low, tense voice, “Come over now. Eliana’s running a fever.”
Samuel paused and then replied, “She’s got a fever? Just grab a wet towed and put it on her forehead, Honestly, nothing’s more important than developing your new medicine right now, Besides, I’m your personal doctor–only look after your health,”
Theodore said coldly. “Get your ass over here. You’ve got thirty minutes.” Then he saw Eliana’s lips moving like she was murmuring something.
He quickly hung up on Samuel, leaned in, and caught a faint whisper. “So cold. Bernie…”
Theodore didn’t know who Bernie was and wondered if she was a member of the Therapy Center. Truth be told, he barely knew anything about Eliana’s past—what little he did know had come from Samuel.
Thinking of what Samuel had just said, Theodore walked to the bathroom, wrung out a wet towel, and returned–only to see a tear slip from the commer
of Eliana’s eye.
Without thinking, he wiped it away and placed the wet towel on her burning forehead. “Serves you right,” he muttered again, but this time, his voice was much softer.
Seeing her trembling so badly, he pulled her into his arms, wrapping his blanket around her for ext
extra warmth.
Feeling secure, Eliana instinctively grabbed his shirt and mumbled unconsciously, “Bernie, I’m scared…”
“Bernie again? Who is she?‘ Theodore thought, frowning “I’m the one holding you now,” he said. He wasn’t sure if Eliana heard him she just kept sobbing quietly.
Her crying was starting to get on his nerves. He couldn’t help but think, “What the hell was Samuel doing? Why isn’t he here yet?!”
Half an hour later, a knock came at the door.
300
Theodore glanced down at Eliana, who was clinging tightly to his shirt, thought for a moment, and then said, “Come on in. The door’s not locked.”
Samuel quietly turned the doorknob, and when he saw the scene inside, he almost burst out laughing.
The famously cold and aloof Theodore looked like a mother hen, fussing over her chick. He had Eliana bundled up tighter than a newborn.
Wyatt was right behind Samuel, watching him like a hawk, as if he were guarding against a thiel.
Once inside, Samuel grinned at Wyatt. “Mr. Lewis, I told you, I’m just here to check on Mrs. Russell. You believe me now, right?”
Wyatt saw that Elana’s cheeks were flushed and she was trembling. He nodded and left.
After closing the door, Samuel turned around and complained, “That old man’s so annoying. He thinks I sneak in new eye medicine every time I visit and insists on coming along every single time.”
As he spoke, he pulled out a thermometer and pressed it to Eliana’s forehead. “101.54°F. That’s a high fever. What the hell happened to her?”
Theodore replied coldly, “She jumped into the lake.”
Samuel looked shocked “She couldn’t handle your temper, so she tried to drown herself?”
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Chapter 74
Theodore let out a cold snort. “She jumped in to save Jayden.”
Samuel was even more surprised. “Then she’s a traitor. Why not just let her burn up?”
Theodore shot him a l
a look that was intimidating without a word.
66%
Samuel shut up immediately, not daring to run his mouth anymore. As he pulled out a syringe, he said, “I’ll give her a shot–she’ll get better faster this
way.”
Just as he was about to pull back the blanket, Theodore frowned and asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Samuel blinked, looking completely innocent.
- t. “Gotta take off her pants for the shot. Relax, I’m good at this she won’t even feel a thing.”
At that, Theodore reached out and snapped the syringe in half.
Left with no choice, Samuel set up an IV stand by the bed and said pitifully, “Fine, IV it is. That’s okay with you, right?”
Theodore finally relented, gently prying Eliana’s little hand from his shirt and handing it to Samuel. “Be gentle Theodore didn’t respond–he gently pried Eliana’s hand from his shirt and handed it to Samuel. “Be gentle.”
The veins on Eliana’s hand stood out clearly. Just the thought of the needle piercing her skin made Theodore wince.
Samuel could feel Theodore’s intense stare at his every move, as if he slipped up even a little, Eliana might just drop dead on the spot. He couldn’t help but think, “Is this the power of intense passion? it’s insane.
Meanwhile, Wyatt walked up behind Lainey and said, “Mrs. Russell, Dr. Wilson is here.”
Lainey was fusung over Jayden. When she heard that, her face fell. “Why is he here? is it because of Theodore?
Wyatt replied, “It’s Eliana. She’s running a fever.”
Before Lainey could say anything, Jayden sat up, and the ice pack on his forehead slid off. “What?” he asked.
“Why are you worried about her? You’ve got a fever too.” Lainey pushed him back onto the bed. “Lie down, close your eyes, and get some sleep.”
That night, Jayden–the wild, unruly troublemaker–had trouble sleeping for the first time.
Two hours later, Samuel noticed sweat beading on Eliana’s forehead and realized her fever had likely broken, so he started packing up to leave.
Just then, Theodore suddenly asked, “That Bernie she keeps calling for–who is she?”
While packing, Samuel replied, “She’s the head of the Therapy Center, I heard that during the years Eliana was dealing with autism, Bernila
ber
Theodore nodded. But then he recalled the way Eliana had cried while calling out for Bernie, and his head started to ache.
starts crying prin because she misses Bernie? Is there any way to stop it?”
unuel said, “Well, you could always give Bemis a call. She probably knows how to calm your wife down.
oded: “Gotil, too cáo go now.”
13:35 TMUNTE Jun@
Chapter 74
But his number was saved under the name “Mr. Mr. fhussell, not “Theodore,” which would’ve been more intimate,
He frowned in displeasure. But he didn’t dare change it doing so would only make Eliana suspicious if she noticed. He got out of bed, walked farther away, and called Bemie.
Not long after, a gentle middle–aged woman’s voice came through: “Ellie, why are you calling me so late?”
Just hearing her voice made Theodore feel oddly soothed, but he quickly pulled himself together and said, “Hi, sorry to bother you are you Bernie?”
The woman on the other end, Bernice, immediately sounded less gentle when she heard a man’s voice. “Yes, who is this? Why do you have Ellie’s phone?!”
Theodore paused for a couple of seconds before saying, “I’m her man.”
Bernice gasped, “Ellie’s dating someone? Since when? Why didn’t she tell me?”
Theodore thought to himself, ‘She’s already married, actually! But not wanting to shock Bernice, he simply said, “We just started seeing each other”
Bernice still sounded skeptical “So what’s this about?”
“She soaked in cold water carlier today, and now she’s running a fever. She’s been calling your name in her sleep, and I’m worried she won’t rest well. So, I wanted to ask if there’s anything I can do to help her feel better.”
But Bernice immediately picked up on something. “Wait, you two are living together?”
For once.
Theodore was at a loss for words.
Bernice’s tone grew sharper as she pressed, “What’s your name? Where do you live? What do you do? And most importantly, are you serious about Ele?”
Theodore suddenly felt that, compared to Belinda, Bernie was even more like a mother to Eliana,
He couldn’t help but be respectful “I think it’d be better if Ellie told you those things hersell, Theodore couldn’t help but use a more respectful tone. “For now, could you please answer my question first?”
Bernice let out a heavy sigh. “There’s not much you can do. That’s a childhood trauma for her. All you wakes up.”
Theodore blurted out, “Does it have something to do with her autishi?”
u can do is stay close and keep her com,
until she
Bernice murmured, “I didn’t expect she’d even tell you about her autism.”
Theodore didn’t mention Samuel’s involvement and replied with a simple “Mm.”
Bernice’s voice softened again. “Since you know Ellie had autism, do you know what caused it?” Clearly, she now believed Theodore was Eliana’s boyfriend–after all, only those very close would know that secret.
Sensing the opportunity to understand Eliana better, Theodore seized the moment. “I don’t. Would you mind telling me?”
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