Chapter 112
Um, why is he asking me that? She raised her head and saw his eyes shining bright like obsidian gleaming under the sun, and she frowned in confusion. His grip on her shoulders tightened, his force almost breaking her bones. “Ow.” She gasped.
As if he was electrocuted, Leo pulled his hand back, but his eyes remained on her. What she said earlier. Her tone, her voice, even her inflection… they’re all just like her. The only different thing is their names.
Big Eyes used to say the same thing to me.
Amelie rubbed her shoulder. “Is something the matter, Mr. Alston?”
Mr. Alston? He snapped back to reality and stared at Amelie again. Probably just a coincidence. She doesn’t sound like Big Eyes now. “Sorry,” he whispered and left the room, shaking his head.
Amelie saw him off in silence, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. And I thought he recognized me. A sense of disappointment welled within her, but she shook it off. He’s going to marry Elyse soon, and we’re going to leave. It’d be problematic if he recognized me. She spaced out for a moment and returned to her daughter. “Rest, child.” She touched her cheek. “We’ll see your grandfather when you feel all better.” And she spoke in that gentle voice Leo was familiar with. She would only speak like that to those closest to her. Most of the time she wouldn’t even speak like that.
Bria woke up two hours later. The anesthetic had worn off, and the pain kicked in. She wanted water, but the nurse said she couldn’t have it for twenty-four hours after the appendectomy. Though she could wet her lips with some Q-tips dipped in water. Understandably, the child was miffed. Most of the time, she was a good kid, but now she was throwing a tantrum and crying to no end.
Amelie felt for her, but she couldn’t help with the pain Bria was feeling. And it made her feel powerless. She tried her best to calm the girl down, but Bria flew into a rage when it was time to take her medicine. She shoved the glass of water away and tossed her medicine into the distance. “I don’t want any pills! I’m in pain!” And she burst into tears again.
“Oh, you can’t let her cry right after the surgery. Don’t want to reopen the wound, or it’s going to be dangerous.” The nurse came in.
Amelie was going to let her daughter vent for a while, but if the consequences were that serious, she couldn’t afford to let Bria cry anymore. But try as she might, the girl would not stop crying. Even the nurse, in all her experience, couldn’t do anything either. Amelie eventually teared up.
It was then someone asked calmly, “Why is she crying?”
Amelie raised her head and saw a familiar figure coming into the ward. “Leo?” I thought he wouldn’t come
back
Leo looked at her and approached the girl. Then he placed the lunch box on the table and sat beside the bed. “Bria, tell Daddy why you’re crying.” He held her hands.
Bria’s face was covered in tears, her eyes glistening. Her eyes were closed, but the moment Leo spoke, she opened her eyes, and her crying stopped. She stared at her father, surprise welling within her.
And she looked at his hand. Leo had never held her hands this gently before, nor did he ever talk so nicely to her. All her pain was forgotten, and she only had eyes for him.
Leo pulled a tissue and carefully wiped the tears off her cheeks. He was a little clumsy, but he had heart.
Bria stayed silent, staring at him at all times.
Amelie was looking at him as well. She couldn’t believe he had come back. Nor could she believe he was being so gentle to the girl. It felt like a dream to her.
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