Chatper 146


    Chapter 146


    Because that day, if it weren’t for Robert hearing the news and rushing back to console the Howard


    family over their mishap, without the urgency to return to his country, his ne wouldn’t have crashed.


    If Robert had stuck to his original travel ns, this disaster would have been averted.


    He felt responsible for Robert’s death.


    After a night and an entire morning, there was still no word from Brian.


    Nate sat listlessly on the couch, half–heartedly watching cartoons, his usual spark nowhere to be seen.


    Natalie skimmed through a script for a while before ncing over at Nate.


    After some contemtion, she rose, snuck out the back door and cautiously dialed Brian’s number. But


    there was no answer.


    With patience wearing thin, she tried again.


    The second call connected, and a gentle voice answered, “Hello?”


    Startled, Natalie recognized Madelyn’s voice.


    “Is Brian there?” she asked softly, biting her lip.


    “Brian didn’t sleep all night. He’s just fallen asleep. Is there something you need?” Madelyn replied


    coolly.


    Natalie felt like the third wheel between them, pressing on with more questions seemed intrusively


    bold.


    He had just gone to sleep. Getting him toe now and take his son to the amusement park. was out


    of the question.


    Making this call felt like a self–imposed humiliation.


    Fingering her neck, she brushed against the diamond ne, pausing for a few seconds. before she


    whispered back to Madelyn, “It’s nothing, I won’t disturb you further.” With that, she hung up.


    She stood silently in the backyard for a moment, then reached behind her neck and unsped the


    diamond ne Brian had intended to give her.


    She wasn’t even sure why she had put it on that morning when dressing up, as itpelled by some


    unseen force.


    Whether it was to give herself an out or to take the exit he offered didn’t matter anymore.


    Regarding a one–year contract, she was nothing more than a jester. Ultimately, it was her alone, lost in


    a one–sided affair.


    1/2


    14:30


    Chapter 146


    Natalie returned inside the house to find Nate slumped over his stuffed toys, apparently asleep. She


    approached quietly and lifted him gently. But the moment she touched Nate’s skin that peeked out from


    his clothes, it felt unusually warm.


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    She quickly set Nate down and checked his forehead. Sure enough, he had a fever!


    Benjamin came over, took Nate’s temperature, and said, “It’s nothing serious.”


    “He’s just recovered from pneumonia. It couldn’t be a rpse, could it?” Natalie asked, her voice tinged


    with worry. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let him sit outside in the breeze yesterday evening!”


    Benjamin responded nonchntly, “He’s been like this since he was a baby, oftening down with


    fevers and colds. He spent the first few months of his life in the hospital. He’s always been frail. Some


    medicine and a shot will sort him out.”


    “Why is that?” Natalie couldn’t help but frown.


    Benjamin considered his words before answering, “He was born after a difficultbor, which can lead to


    such issues. Plus, Nate was bottle–fed. Breastfed kids usually don’t have these problems. Breast milk


    strengthens a child’s immune system, but Nate…” Benjamin said, looking up to lock eyes with Natalie.


    If Brian knew he’d said so much in front of Natalie, he mighte back and kill him.


    “I haven’t studied pediatrics, but will his condition improve as he gets older?” Natalie asked, missing the


    subtext.


    “It should get better. The older he gets, the stronger his immune system will be. He’s just a child now.


    It’s to be expected,” Benjamin nodded, “You don’t need to worry too much.”


    With Benjamin’s reassurance, Natalie realized she might have been overly anxious.