S2 64. Where is Mom?
“Your aunt is awake,” Philip said.
“Really?”
As Louis and Emily stood on tiptoes, Frank and Kara approached from the other side of the bed.
“Hey,” Kara rubbed Barbara’s arm, “how are you feeling?”
Barbara blinked. Her consciousness had not yet gathered. After a while, she whispered, “Water.”
Philip hurriedly took a bottle of water equipped with a straw. The twins were stunned to see his alacrity.
“Auntie, how are you? Does it still hurt?” Emily jumped up and down a little, trying to get her face out from under the bed.
The taller Louis just had to look up and stay on his tiptoes. “We came here to give you encouragement. You must get well soon, Auntie.”
While Philip returned the water bottle, Barbara checked around. Her lips let out a little air.
“My body feels strange. I also feel nauseous.”
“It might be the effect of the anesthesia. Has she been checked again?” Frank looked at Philip.
Philip shook his head.
“Then, let me call the nurse.”
“Where’s Mom?”
Frank fell silent for a moment. His feet failed to move. All eyes were now on him, including the twins whom Philip had moved onto chairs.
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“She….” Seeing Barbara’s still weak condition, Frank curled up his lips. “She’s at home.”
“Is she okay?”
The twins rolled their eyes carefully They were curious whether their father would lie further or not. Barbara didn’t seem ready to accept reality.
Frank nodded. “She’s a little shaken up. But don’t worry. I’ve asked an expert to treat her mental condition. She’ll get better soon.”
The twins were amazed at the way their father conveyed the truth without the element of surprise.
Barbara sighed in relief. “That’s good.”
“Just focus on your recovery, Barbara,” Kara said softly. “Whoever recovers faster can visit the others first.”
Instead of relaxing, Barbara raised her eyebrows at Frank. “Sorry, my mother troubled you all.”
“Hey, your mother is my mother too. She’s not just your responsibility.”
The corners of Barbara’s lips rose slightly. For the first time, she felt that their relation was not just status.
“Auntie, look what we brought.” Emily took something out of her tiny sling bag. “Tada!”
Barbara’s eyes widened. “My phone.” She let out a laugh. Her left. hand shifted to the edge of the bed.
Emily handed her the phone carefully. “You can play it when you’re stronger, Auntie.”
“Thanks, Em.”
The little girl smiled sweetly. Her cheeks were pressed against her
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thick eye bags. “You’re welcome, Auntie.”
Meanwhile, Louis was busy unpacking his backpack. A moment later, he took out a tablet.
“We also brought something for you, Philip. So you can work while looking after Auntie.”
“Apart from that, we also bring vitamins and food.” Emily pointed to the bag Frank had placed on the table. “Eat a lot, Philip. You need a lot of energy to look after Auntie.”
“Yeah, you can’t get sick.”
Barbara was stunned to hear the twins’ chatter. With teary eyes, she glanced at Philip. The man just laughed lightly, not seeming to mind at all.
“Thank you, Little Boss. You guys are very caring. But that’s not a problem for me. Taking care of your Aunt is easy.”
However, Barbara sighed heavily. “Brother, why doesn’t Nora look after me here so Philip can work as usual?”
Philip’s brow furrowed at the idea. However, before he had time to speak, the twins protested.
“Auntie, why say that? We don’t mind if Philip leaves for a few days. Looking after Auntie is much more important.”
“Yes, besides, we can still ask other bodyguards for help.”
Kara read the, meaning of the wrinkles on her sister-in-law’s forehead. “What’s wrong, Barbara? Are you uncomfortable being looked after by Philip?”
Barbara’s lips pressed together. She realized that Philip was emitting.
a cold aura.
“Philip is nobody to me. And he is a man, while I am a woman. I feel
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more comfortable if the person looking after me is also a woman
“I’ve looked after you before. You didn’t mind it then. What’s different from now?” Philip shook his head, not understanding.
Barbara swallowed hard. “At that time, I had no choice. And it was only one night. Now, I don’t know how long I will have to be treated. What if I want to go to the toilet? Or clean myself?”
Philip was stunned. He didn’t expect that Barbara could use such an excuse. Had the girl decided not to return his love? But why?
“Philip can do it,” Louis said, interrupting Philip’s thoughts and making the other adults wide eyed.
“Yes, if Auntie is embarrassed, just tell Philip to close her eyes.” Emily raised both palms as if demonstrating the method. “Philip can even fight without looking. Helping Auntie with eyes shut must be easy to
him.”
Barbara’s breath suddenly faltered. Her cheeks flushed. Meanwhile, Philip, his anxiety dissolved, replaced by imagination that shouldn’t be imagined.
Seeing the stiffness of the two people, Kara sighed in amusement. Little Angels, Auntie is an adult woman. Of course she would be embarrassed if Philip took care of her.”
“Even if Philip closes his eyes?” Emily tilted her head.
“But Mommy isn’t embarrassed to bathe with Daddy?”
Kara’s eyebrows arched to the max. It was Frank’s turn to let out a laugh.
“That’s because Daddy and Mommy are a married couple, Kids. You will understand when you grow up,” Frank explained gently.
Louis’ lips pursed. His hands were folded in front of his chest. “I think
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Mommy is not embarrassed because Daddy uses a blindfold. Adu life is confusing.”
“Yes,” Emily nodded cutely, “adults have too many rules. But if Auntie is more comfortable with Nora, what can we do?”
Frank smiled faintly. “Okay, I will ask Nora to come to replace Philip. Maybe after lunch. Philip, you don’t mind, right?”
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