Felix approached Esther as softly as he could. He carefully placed a lollipop beside her pillow, saying gently, âPretty madam, the medicine is bitter, but it wonât be with the lollipop.â
Esther had actually woken up before Felix came in.
She was unwilling to interact with him because he was Lilianeâs kid. She was afraid she would involuntarily project her hatred for Liliane on this innocent child.
However, there was an inexplicable jolt in her heart when Felix approached her. She wanted to be close to him for no reason.
âYou⦠Why are you here?â Esther asked in a hoarse voice.
Felixâs clear eyes glittered when he saw that she was awake and answered, âMaâam, youâre awake?â
Esther touched the boyâs cheek and asked softly, âYouâre alone?â
âDaddy and Mommy went to work!â
Felix tried to climb up to her bed clumsily, but he was too short. Thus, he was unable to do so despite several attempts.
Esther could not help carrying him up.
âMaâam.â
Felix looked so alike to Bradley, yet he was so innocent and guileless when he spoke.
Esther was in a conflict to ignore him, but she could not hold back from patting and hugging him.
âThank you for saving me.â
Although Esther had not done the bone marrow match voluntarily, she felt happy when she heard Felix thanking her.
What wrong had the child done? Liliane was the one at fault!
âYouâre very cute.â
Felix lowered his head and said disappointedly, âIâm not at all.â
âWho said that?â Esther asked in puzzlement.
âIf Iâm cute, why do Daddy and Mommy want a divorce?â
Esther could not steel herself when facing such a cute and innocent face. She also could not transfer her grudge toward Liliane to Felix.
âYour daddy and mommy arenât divorced.â
Felix looked up and asked, âHow do you know?â
Esther racked her brain to make up a lie that would not be easily exposed, but the photo on her blanket swiftly attracted Felixâs attention.
He pointed at the twins and called out in glee, âPixie and Tinkerbell.â
âFelix, do you know them?â Esther asked carefully.
Felix nodded. âTheyâre my best friends.â
Esther grabbed his arms emotionally and urgently asked, âWhere did you get to know them, Felix?
Theyâ¦â
Felix was always ill, so he was very thin. Estherâs urgency hurt him. He scrunched up his nose and cried tearfully, âOwâ¦â
Esther quickly let go and took a deep breath. She pressed down her overflowing emotions and toned down her voice to sound softer.
âFelix, can you tell me where youâve met them?â
Felix pointed at the peach blossom tree at the back in the photo. âItâs Sunflower Welfare.â
Overwhelming delight swept over Esther. She could not care less that Felix was her enemyâs son as she hugged him tightly.
Felix actually blushed when Esther hugged him so suddenly.
Esther held the boyâs face and kissed his forehead.
âThank you, Felix!â
Felix was still blushing from the kiss as his eyes twinkled.
âAre you Pixie and Tinkerbellâs mommy?â
âI am.â Esther sobbed with a nod as her eyes became wet.
âWhy arenât you living with them then?â
Esther was rendered speechless despite Felixâs innocent question. She could not tell him that it was because of his mother that she had spent five years in prison. She also could not tell him that she had loved and trusted the wrong person when she was younger, causing her to lose everything now.
âFelix, Iâll live with Pixie and Tinkerbell from now on.â Esther thought of the bodyguard outside her door and had an idea. âCan you help me?â
âSure!â Felix nodded seriously.
Esther wanted to visit her motherâs tomb, but the bodyguard did not allow her. She could not possibly leave the hospital openly.
âI want to see Pixie and Tinkerbell at Sunflower Welfare. Can you stay in my room and say that Iâm sleeping when the bodyguard comes?â
Felix patted his chest confidently and promised, âIâll make sure the mission is accomplished.â
Estherâs heart melted at the sight. She did not expect a vile woman like Liliane to be able to give birth to a kind and pure kid like Felix.
âThank you, Felix.â
Esther pulled Felix into a tight hug.
As Felix breathed in Estherâs fragrant scent, he was inexplicably happy.
Esther let go of him and went into the bathroom with a suitcase. She was going to meet her daughters for the first time, so she wanted to meet them looking her best.
Jasper had good taste, and all the clothes in the suitcase were branded.
Even so, the skinny Esther looked fragile in these expensive dresses, as if she would be gone with the wind.
She braided her hair to the side and wore a sleeveless silk dress inside, putting on a thin-knitted cardigan on the outside.
The size 36 ballet flats felt slightly tight on her feet. She pulled out a stick of lipstick and dabbed it on her pale lips in front of the mirror, looking much better in color.
When Esther opened the bathroom door, Felix praised her with sparkling eyes. âWow, maâam, youâre so beautiful.â
Estherâs uneasiness was eased a little.
âIâll be going off now, little Felix.â
Felix saluted her with his chin up proudly. âGo, go.â
Estherâs hospital ward was on the third floor. It would be unrealistic to jump to the garden on the first floor from here, but she could slide down there using the sewer pipe outside of the balcony.
Felix stood on tiptoe by the balcony, waving excitedly when he saw that Esther had landed safely.
Esther clutched her bag and waved back at Felix who was on the balcony from the garden.
She was eager to meet her daughters, barely able to wait for a second longer. She hailed a cab outside the hospital hastily.
âTo Sunflower Welfare, please!â