Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 110

The next morning, Madeline did what she always did. She woke Oliver up and got him ready for school.

"Mommy, did you not sleep well last night?"

Oliver studied her face, his big eyes full of concern. Madeline knew she looked tired. She hadn't slept a wink, tossing and turning, Julian's face haunting her every time she closed her eyes. It was like he was everywhere, impossible to escape. She felt like she was losing her mind.

"I couldn't sleep," she admitted.

"Was it because of Julian?" Oliver blinked at her, so serious. "Did he do something to you again? If he did, I’ll go talk to him."

Madeline managed a weak smile. "No, he didn't do anything, sweetheart. This is just grown-up stuff. You only need to worry about school. Let Mommy handle the rest, okay?"

Oliver crossed his arms, puffing out his cheeks. "Fine, Mommy. You say that so much, I think my ears are about to fall off."

She reached out and smoothed his hair, unable to help herself. Looking at him made her think of Noah, still alone in the hospital. She wondered how he was feeling today.

The guilt came rushing back, even sharper than before.

After dropping Oliver off at school, Madeline stopped by the market for a few fresh ingredients. She hurried home, made a pot of soothing ginger and scallion soup, poured it into a thermos, and then set off for the hospital.

Josh had called the night before to let her know Julian was out drinking again, so there was no way he’d be at the hospital this morning. That gave her a small window to see Noah without worrying about running into him.

When she arrived at the hospital, she almost forgot about the Grayson family bodyguards stationed outside the door. They blocked her way the second they saw her.

"Ms. Monroe, what brings you here?"

They recognized her from the times she’d been to the Grayson house. She did her best to keep her voice steady.

"I heard Noah is sick. I brought some soup for him. Can I go in and see him?"

"It’s just ginger and scallion soup," she explained, trying to sound reassuring. "It helps with sweating out a fever and makes him more comfortable. You’re both right here, so you know I wouldn’t do anything stupid. If you don’t want to give it to him, just leave it in the room. He can decide if he wants it or not."

She met their eyes, hoping they could see how much she meant it. There was so little she could do for Noah, but she had to do something.

After a moment, one of them nodded. "Alright."

"Thank you." Madeline handed over the thermos. The guard placed it on the bedside table, then came back out.

From the hallway, Madeline watched the little boy through the open door. He was still asleep, curled up under the covers, not moving even when the bodyguard walked in.

She wanted to stay, but she knew she couldn’t. With one last look, she turned and walked away.

Not long after she left, Helene arrived at Noah’s hospital room.