Chapter 1987


    "Go to your room and y for a while. I''m getting a little tired, and I need to rest," Dominic said softly,


    gently patting Galen.


    Galen was very sensible. Although he did not fully understand everything that had happened recently,


    he had be much more obedient. Moreover, his father had entrusted him before leaving, telling him


    to listen to Dominic and Austin. Galen remembered it all.


    "Okay. I won''t disturb you then. If you miss me, just call me." With that, Galen turned around, propping


    his chubby little arms on the bed, ready to climb down.


    Austin immediately scooped the little one up and turned to leave the room. When he reached Galen’s


    room, he set the little one down before bending and saying, “What do you want to eat? I can order


    takeout for us. How about that?”


    He thought Galen would happily agree. However, the little one shook his head. “No, Daddy said I


    shouldn’t trouble others unnecessarily. Grandpa is the most important right now. Please take care of


    Grandpa, Uncle Austin!”


    Although he sounded childish, his words were mature beyond his years. Austin did not know what to


    say momentarily, feeling overwhelmed with emotions.


    He used to think children were troublesome creatures who required constant care and caused endless


    worries. However, after spending these past few days with Galen, he realized children, in many


    moments of vulnerability, could heal one’s heart.


    Galen was a delicate boy who possessed immense strength. While most of the time, adults would think


    they were caring for their child, the child often tended to the adults’ emotions.


    "Okay. You''re such a good boy." Austin gently hugged Galen, feeling the tenderness of Galen''s small


    body, which energized Austin.


    He nced at the red dots on Galen’s neck again. It was irregrly distributed, faint in appearance,


    and resembled a birthmark but not quite the same.


    He remembered not noticing any such marks on Galen’s neck before. It meant they appeared within


    these past few days, even though Austin could not pinpoint the exact time. He had no idea what those


    marks were but felt it was rted to the virus.


    ‘Galen is the only one in the estate who didn’t get infected. Oh, and Alexander. Still, Alexander arrived


    been with us the entire time.


    ‘He eats and lives with us, yet he remains healthy while everyone else here is more or less infected.’


    Austin gently raised his head, anxious as he reached to touch Galen''s forehead. The little one’s


    temperature was average, even though he had a fever when Alexander came to pick him up. However,


    Galen was fine once his fever subsided.


    ‘We didn’t think much about it then, but was the fever a symptom of the infection, and Galen managed


    to ovee it on his own?’


    Austin could not understand it. Despite having treated many patients, he had never faced such a


    situation. There was no past medical history to reference, only his own gradual exploration.


    He got up and returned to Dominic’s room, but as soon as he stepped through the door, he was


    shocked by what he saw.


    “Uncle Dom!” Austin eximed, rushing to the older man’s bedside and looking at him hanging off the


    bed. On the floor was arge puddle of blood.


    Dominicy there, gasping for air as fresh bloodstains were visible at the corners of his lips. It was


    evident he had been coughing up blood after Austin and Galen left. It seemed to be severe.


    Austin was distraught when he saw his granduncle in that horrific state. He naively believed Dominic


    was gradually recovering and his condition was improving. Little did Austin know Dominic was putting


    on an act and not getting better at all.