Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1207

Twenty days was nowhere near enough time for them to synthesize a proper cure.

"Mom, don't worry." Juniper gently stroked Theia's cheek, offering a reassuring smile. "Did you forget who your daughter is? Dr. Nocturne!"

"Juniper…" Theia looked at her through teary eyes, hesitating.

She knew how brilliant her daughter was, but she was a medical researcher herself. Many of the biological components required for the original formula were effectively extinct. They were impossible to source.

"You're exhausted," Juniper said, taking her arm and guiding her into the adjacent bedroom, firmly pushing her down onto the bed. "Get a good night's sleep. We can deal with everything tomorrow."

"But Juniper—"

"Shh!" Juniper cut her off softly, her smile sweet but commanding. "You need to be a good, obedient mom right now, okay?"

Theia stared at her daughter. The sheer, overwhelming aura of authority radiating from the girl swallowed her protests whole.

She had never felt intimidated by her other children. But this youngest one, who was barely an adult, had an intensity that legitimately made her nervous.

"Okay." After a moment's thought, Theia nodded obediently, holding onto her hand. "But will you sleep here with me tonight? I want to catch up on everything I missed over the years."

Juniper bit her lip, caught in a bind.

The old fox was definitely waiting up for her.

Mom? Or the old fox? What a terrible dilemma.

"Tell you what, go check on Shanley first," Theia chuckled softly, noticing her hesitation. "Then come back and keep me company later, alright?"

"Okay!" Juniper nodded immediately, tucking the blankets around her mother. "I'll be right back, Mom."

She pulled a mango-flavored candy from her pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into Theia's mouth.

"I always loved mango." Theia was incredibly touched, reluctantly letting go of her daughter's hand. "Go on."

The sooner she went, the sooner she'd be back.

Shanley swallowed hard, his tone suddenly cautious.

"A lot of things," Juniper replied casually. "The scenery, the past, the future."

"Did my name come up?" Shanley frowned. It defied logic; any normal parent would ask about the boyfriend.

"It did." Juniper smiled faintly, deciding to mess with him. "Mom asked me if I was really serious about dating you."

"And?" Shanley lifted his chin, visibly tensing, gulping down his anxiety. "What did you say?"

"I said…"

Juniper leaned in close, her lips parting slowly. She could feel his breathing hitch as she drawled, "I said I don't want to date you anymore."

Shanley: "?"