Nicholas huddled closer and whispered, "But I want to come back home. Only when I hold you can I be at peace."
Feeling warm and fuzzy, Tessa smiled. She then told Nicholas to take a shower, then they slept in each other's embrace.
…
Tessa woke up early the next morning. The first thing she saw was Nicholas sleeping soundly. He must be exhausted. She looked at him quietly and tiptoed out of the bed to wash herself up. An hour later, she came back to wake Nicholas. "Wake up, Nicholas. Breakfast time."
Nicholas woke up, still groggy. He drawled, "What's the time?"
Tessa took his clothes for him, smiling. "Nine thirty. You were sleeping, so I didn't wake you up. You deserve more rest."
Nicholas looked at her gently. He took the clothes and pulled her into his embrace. "It's good to have you here."
"You can get up now." Tessa pushed him away gently with a smile and turned to prepare his clothes.
Nicholas got up, looking refreshed. He then had breakfast and got ready to go to work.
Tessa and Gregory sent him off. Worried, Tessa said, "I know you're busy, but please take care of yourself."
"Take care of yourself, Daddy. Get some rest. Don't make us worry," said Gregory precociously.
Nicholas looked at his family, and his heart melted. "I will." He hugged Tessa and kissed her, then he went to work.
Tessa saw him off until his car was out of sight, then she led Gregory back into the house. Tessa went to Sawyer Group with lunchboxes every day after that, and every time she was there, she could feel the tension in the air.
Timothy was similarly busy. He had just opened a branch office and he had to make sure it was operating smoothly, so he didn't even have time to see Tessa. All he could make were calls. "I don't think I have time to see you for a while, Tess, but I'll ask Sabrina to go over."
"No. Sabrina can help you. I have my boys with me," Tessa declined, but she was moved.
Still, she was worried about Timothy as well. From time to time, she would ask a servant to send some soup over to him. Surprisingly, Tessa fell ill first, but it wasn't shocking. She hadn't fully recovered after what happened back then, and she hadn't slept well from running around too much these few days. That decreased her immunity.
She woke up with her head feeling heavy. A fever? However, she didn't tell Nicholas. After she saw Nicholas off and told Gregory to study, she could no longer keep a front, and she slumped.
Noticing her sickly demeanor, the butler came to her. "Madam, do you feel unwell? You don't look too good."
"I think I'm down with a fever, Andrew, but don't tell Nicholas. Just call the family doctor," said Tessa weakly.
Yet, Andrew hesitated. "Are you sure you don't want Master Nicholas to know?"
"He's busy enough as it is. I won't burden him any further." Tessa shook her head.
In the end, Andrew did as he was told, and the family doctor arrived shortly. He checked Tessa and said, "She'll be fine. She's down with a cold, but she should be better after some pills and rest."
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