âMom, why does your voice sound so strange?â âI ate some spicy food just now, so my throatâs a bit dry. Iâll end the call here. Iâll call you back later, okay?â âOkay, Mom.â After Adina hung up, she ļay directly in the seat. The tip of her tongue was bleeding because of her bite, and the smell of blood slowly filled her oral cavity.
Duke looked at her through the rearâview mirror, and he could feel a slight pain spreading through his heart. His heart was hurting. Was this a heartache?
He drove in silence and stepped on the accelerator to the maximum.
Ten minutes later, the car stopped in front of the hospital. Meanwhile, Adina had already lost consciousness. A trickle of blood dripped from her lips.
She was beautiful, and the trickle of blood only made her look more alluring.
Duke seemed to be bewitched.
When he bent down and carried her, his lips unintentionally brushed against hers and made contact with the blood.
The blood tasted metallic yet sweet.
It caused the emotions in his heart to quickly grow.
Some of the emotions that he had buried in the depths of his heart instantly grew into a big tree.
Adina was sent into the emergency room for a gastric lavage. Duke stood in the corridor, and his gaze was profound. In the first twenty years of his life, he had never cared about anyone. The two boys, who had appeared out of nowhere, were the first people he had ever cared about.
However, the kids had a biological tie with him, so he was naturally protective of them. But what about Adina? Why would he fall for her?
It was not a temporary interest or an impulse Why would he have such affection for her? Why would it be so strong?
Duke sat outside the emergency room for half an hour before Adina was pushed out.
A nurse pushed Adina into the ward and gave her an infusion before the doctor gave Duke instructions. âOnce she becomes conscious, she can only drink water. Prepare some food like oatmeal for her after twelve hours.â Duke nodded. âDoes she need to stay in the hospital tonight?â âShe had an overdose, so she has to receive an infusion for a night in the hospital. She can be discharged tomorrow in the morning.â
âI got it. Thank you, Doctor.â
After the doctor left, the ward became quiet. Only the dripping sounds of the infusion could be heard.
Duke sat by the bed, and after he placed the blanket over Adina, he took her phone.
He found Aldenâs number and immediately gave him a call. âHello, Mom, are you coming back?â
Aldenâs obedient voice rang out from the other end of the line.
3 .âItâs me.â
Right after Duke said that, he could feel the boy hold his breath for a moment. Duke resumed. âYour mother canât go home tonight. Iâll ask Mr. Brown to go over and take care of you and Mel.â
He had initially thought that he could send Adina home after she received an injection.
Who would have known that she would need an infusion after the gastric lavage? Plus, this woman was still unconscious.
Alden would call and ask sooner or later, so he should just come clean.
That boy was too smart, and his IQ could not be lower than Georgeâs. He did not need to beat around the bush when talking to a smart person.
Dukeâs voice was indifferent. âSomething happened to your mom, and sheâs receiving an infusion in the hospital. Donât worry, and donât tell Mel.â
âWhat happened to her?â
Aldenâs voice became colder and deeper.
Duke admired this kid even more. If another child heard that something had happened to his mother, he would be so anxious that he would cry. However, Alden was different. He was so calm that he did not seem like a fourâyearâold kid.
âShe took the wrong glass of wine, so she needed to get a gastric lavage in the hospital,â Duke answered honestly. âIt was just a misunderstanding. Iâll send your mother home, uninjured, tomorrow morning.â
Alder slowly clenched his fists.
He took a look at Melody who kept yawning while she leaned on the couch, and his voice became deeper. âThank you, Uncle Duke. Papa Brown doesnât have to come over. I can take care of Mel.â