The doctor looked at the young girl in front of him, who seemed to be no more than in her twenties, with an incredulous expression.
"Was that you?" Julissa nodded nervously. The doctor gave her a thumbs-up. "Good thing you acted quickly. I checked. If the allergic reaction was not halted timely, the result could've been disastrous. It was a dangerous situation, and you did a good job!"
Julissa breathed a sigh of relief. "I was scared. I thought... "It's okay. I was just curious. Don't worry, the child is no longer in danger. It would be best for the child to stay in the hospital for observation, but he wants to see his mother. You should go in now." Julissa immediately nodded and walked into the ward.
Harley, who was about three years old, was sad and alone in bed. His skin was pale, his short hair curly and unruly. His small face was full of unease. When he caught sight of Julissa, his face brightened up,and he hurriedly ran in her direction. "Mommy!" Julissa rushed toward Harley and held him close. "I'm here. Don't be afraid." Harley hugged Julissa, smelling his mother's unique scent. He felt like he was dreaming. Such a tender mother! Just like the mother in his dreams! She did not only hold him; she was also so, so tender! Harley hugged Julissa with greed as he inhaled her scent deeply. His big eyes kept glancing up at her, afraid that if he blinked, he might never see her again.
Julissa felt a sting in her heart, and she stroked the child's hair helplessly while reassuring him, "Don't be scared. I won't leave. I'll stay with you."
As soon as Cerillo walked in, he heard Julissa's hypocritical reassurances. A flicker of disdain flashed across his eyes. Even saying these words to herself made her afraid that she might not believe them. Only when she wanted something from the Harvey family would she play the role of a tender, loving mother. Exactly what game was this woman playing?
Knock! The door behind Julissa was being knocked on. As she turned around, she saw the sarcasm fleeting in Cerillo's eyes. Cerillo, with an impassive face, commanded, "Prepare to go home." "But... The doctor said we need to stay in the hospital for observation." "I'll call the doctor home," Cerillo said coldly. "Harley doesn't like the hospital." Julissa was taken aback and immediately understood the implication behind Cerillo's words. Harley disliked the hospital, yet she, as a mother, seemed indifferent to her child's feelings.
In contrast, he, the seemingly cold father, was a lot more considerate than her. Julissa felt a sourness rising in her heart, and her guilt toward Harley deepened. However, the cute, innocent Harley was oblivious to the undercurrents between the adults. He held onto his mother with an incessant silly grin on his face. His mother was holding him! The little boy stared at Julissa's face as if he could not get enough. It was not until they got into the car that Julissa, somehow helpless, finally covered his eyes and said, "Sleep for a while. I'll hold you." "Okay!" Harley was ecstatic, his eyes blissfully closed.
However, due to the excessive excitement, the little one was not able to fall asleep. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, he requested, "Mommy, 1 made a birthday wish when I blew the candles just now. I wished that you could spend my birthday with me today and then give me a hug." The little one was beaming with satisfaction. "My wish came true!" Such a humble, innocent wish that was worth as much as a speck of dust.
Julissa's heart ached sharply, her eyes growing hot. She bent down and gave the contented little one a peck on the mouth, whispering, "How about i spend every birthday with you and hug you every day from now on? Is that okay?" Harley's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?" "Of course, I always keep my promises." "Pinky promise!"
Beside them, Cerillo watched as the hands of the young and old interlocked, his face growing even more gloomy. Once Harvey was asleep, Cerillo's voice cut through the silence, as cold as ice, "Whatever you want, just say it. There's no need for you to put on such a painstaking performance!" Julissa was startled, her heart filled with bitterness.
She replied coldly on purpose, "I'm afraid you cannot give me what I want." Cerillo sneered, "Go on, tell me. What can't I provide?" "I want you to love me like it's the first time. Can you do that?" Cerillo stiffened up momentarily.
Julissa took the opportunity to lean closer, murmuring, "I want you to love me as you did before. Can you do it?" The distance was a bit too close. Cerillo's breathing unconsciously became a bit disordered.
Realizing this, he felt somewhat embarrassed and angered, forcefully pushing her away as he declared, "Get away from me!" As Julissa was pushed away, she instinctively protected the child in her arms. Yet, her eyes were still crystal clear as she stared intently at Cerillo.
Just like that time when he fell in love with her.
Cerillo awkwardly avoided her gaze, laughing coldly. "Stop playing these tricks! Think about it, do you think you're worthy?" Cold words, sharp as thorns, pierced her heart painfully.
Julissa thought she had long been immune to his malice. Unexpectedly, her heart still ached sharply once again when she heard it. How could she have forgotten? She was the one who killed the tender, caring Cerillo.
Back at the Harvey family, Julissa had just soothed her son and walked out of the room when she bumped into the agitated Garvit. Garvit was instantly enraged at the sight of Julissa. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward a corner. Before Julissa could even steady herself, he stormed at her with questions. "Where did you run off to? Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you?" Julissa was prepared; she struggled a bit and frowned.
"You're hurting me!" Garvit wore a sullen face, not giving a moment's heed to Julissa's reaction. He accused in a deep voice, "Do you understand how long l've been preparing for this day?" "I waited for you at the airport for so many hours. As long as you boarded the plane, we could have taken the flight together. How could you turn back at this moment?" "Do you think this is fair to me? I love you so much, Julissa. Do you just want to crush my sincere love underfoot?" Julissa glanced at Garvit's gloomy, impatient face, and could not help feeling how ridiculous her younger self was. Who would have thought that she was willing to go to such lengths for a man like him?
Julissa glanced back at him with disappointment written all over her face. "Garvit, why do you only ever think about yourself?" Garvit was taken aback, not expecting such an answer. Given what he knew about her, shouldn't she be holding on to him, explaining with repentance?