The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 554

The moment Wendy stepped out of her car, she saw Franco crouching in the grass, holding Abacus. He had just finished giving the boy water and was gently dabbing sweat from his little forehead.

In all her years practicing medicine, she had met countless parents, but Franco was one of the rare few who was so incredibly attentive and meticulous as a father.

Then again, the man had a knack for handling kids.

Back when they were deep undercover on that island, there had been a few rowdy local kids causing chaos. After just one day under Franco's watch, the brats had been whipped into shape, obedient and thoroughly disciplined.

From the ten-year-olds down to the toddlers, every single kid called him "Boss Malcom," since Malcom was the alias he was running under.

It wasn't until much later that she realized the alias was a secret homage to Petty.

Of course, wrangling island delinquents was entirely different from raising his own son. As a father, Franco's devotion and sense of responsibility were absolutely unparalleled.

Petty was incredibly lucky to have found a man like him.

"Mr. Franco, Abacus," Wendy greeted warmly as she approached.

Abacus pulled the straw from his mouth, tilted his head back, and beamed. "Auntie!"

"Such a good boy." Wendy's eyes softened. She took the cup from his tiny hands, snapped the lid shut, and set it aside.

She had already sanitized her hands with wipes the second she got out of the car.

Crouching down to their eye level, she gave the little guy's hand an affectionate squeeze.

"It's only been a week, and you've already put on some healthy weight! Looks like my little patient has been finishing all his meals. Great job."

"G'eart yob!" Abacus parroted happily.

Franco scooped the boy up and stood. "He's tired from walking anyway. Perfect timing to head inside and rest."

Abacus's hand was still wrapped in Wendy's, so she naturally stood up alongside them.

Standing next to him, she realized this was the closest she had been to Franco since arriving in Cabinda.

He somehow felt even taller and more imposing than he had a decade ago.

Jackson carried Abacus into the state-of-the-art medical suite Franco had built specifically for Wendy's weekly exams.

Abacus was heartbreakingly cooperative. He moved through the checkup motions with such practiced ease that Wendy's hands stalled mid-exam. It was devastating to imagine how much pain and prodding it took to forge that kind of muscle memory in a baby.

Wendy swallowed the lump in her throat and focused on her work.

After she finished packing up her instruments, Jay handed her a thick envelope.

Just by the weight and thickness alone, it was clearly thousands of dollars.

"Dr. Holt, your compensation for making the house call to Misty Vale."

Wendy blinked in surprise but graciously accepted the payment. "Don't mention it. Monitoring Manley's health is my responsibility."

Jay gave a stiff nod and gestured toward the door. "Since the lady of the house is absent, it wouldn't be appropriate to host you for lunch. Allow me to walk you out."

"Of course, thank you." Wendy followed him out of the estate.