Alistair refused to let the doctors examine him and only cried, not answering any questions. The doctors, nurses, and Anthony were all at a loss for what to do. After two minutes of this standoff, Alistair's emotions became more and more intense. Worried that he would choke on his tears, the doctor signaled to Anthony and they all left the room.
In the hallway, the doctor sighed. "At such a young age, Alistair probably already has serious psychological trauma. At this stage he is very resistant to treatment; we can only try to stabilize his emotions for now and seek help from a psychologist later."
Anthony lowered his eyes with some regret but was helpless in this situation. They had only been outside for two or three minutes when they heard Alistair's crying become quieter - it seemed like he had calmed down somewhat.
Anthony immediately wanted to go back into the room but was stopped by the doctor. "He has suffered too much trauma. You should observe him first so as not to trigger another emotional reaction."
"Okay."
The door of the hospital room wasn't closed completely - there was still a crack left open.
A small figure remained hidden under blankets inside; faint sobbing sounds could be heard coming from within.
Those cries seemed able pierce straight through Anthony's heart, making him feel uncomfortable enough that it hurt in his chest cavity.
He pinched himself tightly while silently listening beside him for over ten minutes until those cries gradually faded away.
Had he cried himself out?
Afraid that little guy might suffocate under all those covers if there were no movements inside anymore, Anthony gently entered into the ward without making any noise.
Lifting up his son's cotton quilt revealed once again that face which used to smile so often now covered in tear stains. His eyes were swollen shut, and he was gasping slightly as if unable catch breaths.
Anthony sat down next to him on bed side, patiently wiping away tears with wet tissues.
Even though asleep, little one still appeared somewhat resistant towards being touched by his father. He was murmuring softly,
"Daddy... don't go... I don't want ..."
Even while sleeping he continued hiccuping while talking nonsense words.
Anthony squeezed tightly onto wet tissues held within hand, causing jaw line muscles stiffen slightly before asking softly,
"Do you not want me here? Do you want grandma instead?"
Little one kept both eyes closed tightly, holding onto dampened corners of blanket even tighter than before, appearing quite insecure.
Mumbling unintelligibly even though half asleep,
"No... don't want Daddy.... waaahhh...."
Although was unable to hear clearly what exactly he said yet could guess general meaning behind words spoken. Most likely he didn't want see his father at present moment.
Yesterday's scene of falling from the building was truly horrifying. Alistair clearly had a strong aversion to him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have screamed and cried when he woke up and saw him, then hid away.
With downcast eyes, Anthony thought for a moment before sending a message to Paloma and Rebecca.
Alistair fell asleep, so Anthony sat quietly by his side, silently watching his watch without making any noise or waking up his son.
After about fifteen minutes, Paloma and Rebecca should be arriving soon. Anthony quietly left the hospital room.
In the hallway, he happened to meet Paloma and Rebecca who were hurrying over.
"Anthony, how is Alistair?"
"There's nothing major wrong with him physically but he hasn't eaten anything all morning. He wakes up crying then sleeps again when he gets tired."
He forced a bitter smile while pulling at the corners of his mouth slightly before saying, "I think it's because he doesn't want to see me around. Please help me take care of him more often. Grandma, Rebecca, if there is anything, just send me a message."
After speaking, with heavy footsteps Anthony turned around and left.
"Anthony,"
Rebecca called out but Anthony had already entered the elevator without looking back, leaving behind only a slightly desolate figure in her view.
Inside the hospital room, Alistair slept restlessly as tears continued to fall from tightly closed eyes. He was trying anxiously to grasp onto something.
"Daddy... don't go daddy... don't leave me alone... I'm good..."
His murmurs were disoriented like they had been soaked in jealousy; full of grievances that could barely be heard by Paloma or Rebecca who had just walked into the room.
...
Lyra went abroad on business for two or three days but upon returning home, she heard about what happened: her own son Spencer along with Alistair both being kidnapped for ransom, which led them both ending up in hospital beds now...
When she arrived at the hospital, Spencer was sitting upright on top of the bed writing an apology letter obediently. Malcolm told her everything about what happened including how much their son was involved in it all and what plan he made etc...
Seeing her son now, Lyra felt angry yet heartbroken as she pinched his cheek hard.
"What you did this time is simply unreasonable! You knew your body wasn't well yet you still acted recklessly!"
Spencer interrupted softly, "Daddy has already scolded me once as well as punished me too… do you really need to scold me again?"
Lyra paused briefly before responding nothing.
Her son found her nagging annoying so didn't want listen anymore...
As someone who gave birth after carrying this child inside herself for ten months, Lyra understood him quite well. He always had too many ideas going through his head. His thoughts always seemed more mature than those other children around his age group did anyway...
As a child, he went to the lab every day for intravenous treatment. She and Malcolm took turns accompanying their son, wanting him to have someone by his side every day so he wouldn't be lonely. But their son always found ways to get rid of her and Malcolm. He liked peace and solitude.
Now that he'd grown up, he kept everything to himself and didn't tell Lyra or Malcolm anything. He lived a disciplined life, studied conscientiously, and didn't need them to manage anything.
Even if she wanted to manage something for him, Spencer would find all kinds of excuses to deal with it. Unfortunately, he was so excellent and well-behaved that there was no way for them to do anything to him.
The more she thought about it, the more depressed she became. She lightly pushed their son's forehead with slender fingertips.
"You should be grateful this time around. Anthony and Malcolm handled things properly so nothing major happened."
Spencer slightly hooked his lips. "I'm not stupid. I naturally trust Dad since the kidnappers were fierce and uncontrollable."
Lyra furrowed her delicate eyebrows again as she pushed his head once more. "Are you still proud?"
"I'm sorry. Please don't scold me anymore. I really know I was wrong." His voice was soft as he spoke in combination with his cold pale face, which made for an extremely rare sight of submission.
Lyra had just wanted to give some advice when Spencer used being tired as an excuse before sending her off see Alistair.
In Alistair's hospital room, the atmosphere had been somewhat gloomy at one point in time.
As soon as Lyra pushed open the door though, she could feel it immediately.
Rebecca explained softly, "The impact from falling off a building is not small. Alistair is probably scared out of his wits since. Even while sleeping all night long, he has been talking in his sleep. Sometimes calling out 'Daddy,' other times calling out 'Mommy.' It really breaks my heart listening."
Lyra felt tightness in chest upon hearing this, because having raised children herself, she could understand what the Callahan family must be feeling right now too.
She slightly opened her mouth but then heard music ringing from inside her bag which startled everyone due its suddenness within such quiet surroundings. She didn't want anyone getting upset or waking up any patients due its loudness, thus she made an apologetic expression before leaving the room quietly instead
It wasn't until Lyra reached end of hallway that she took out phone from bag, checking who called. It turned out be very familiar number without name attached
When she answered, she said carefully, "Mavis? Why are you calling at this hour? Is there something wrong with that trade contract?"
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