Chapter 15
In the office, Leonard was in the middle of handling work when his phone suddenly vibrated. It was a call fever. We’re worried something might happen…”
Leonard’s brows furrowed tightly. “Did you call the doctor?”
Neil replied, “We did, but Ms. Miller said there was no need to rush. Then, she left to attend a party.”
from Neil. “Mr. Faron, Mr. Yannick has a 103–degree
His expression changed instantly as he said with some surprise, “What? I’ll head home immediately. Have the family doctor see him first.”
When he rushed home through the rain, he found Yannick flushed red from the fever. Yannick was constantly trembling.
With a somber expression, the family doctor started the IV for Yannick.
“How did it get this bad?” Leonard asked.
“Mr. Faron, the fever has lasted over four hours. Any longer and it could have gotten worse,” the doctor said in a low, serious voice. “His constitution is already
weak He should’ve been treated much earlier,”
Leonard’s chest tightened.
He remembered that, when Jennifer was around, she could tell the kids were unwell at the slightest sign.
She rarely even needed a thermometer. Just one touch and she could already gauge the severity of the fever.
“Where’s Samantha? Why haven’t I seen her?” Leonard asked.
Neil hesitated for a moment before he said, “Ms. Miller said it was just a minor cold. She went to attend a birthday party that she said she couldn’t decline…”
Leonard pulled out his phone and called her.
It rang for a long time before she picked up. The background was filled with loud music and laughter.
“Leonard?” Samantha’s voice was slightly tipsy and cheerful. She was clearly not taking the matter seriously.
“Yannick has a high fever. Where are you?” Leonard demanded.
“What? I’ll come back right away!” Samantha’s tone immediately sounded panicked. It was the first time Leonard had talked to her so harshly. “I’m so sorry, Leonard. I thought it was just a minor cold. I’m coming home now.”
An hour later, Samantha rushed in, still in her evening gown and perfect makeup.
She threw herself in front of Leonard with tears in her eyes, “Leonard, I really didn’t know Yan was this sick…”
But looking at her glamorous makeup and the faint smell of alcohol that still lingered on her, Leonard felt a surge of irritation.
Yet, facing that face he once loved, he relented. “I’ll let it go this time, but be more careful next time.”
Late that night, Yannick’s fever finally went down a little.
Just then, Leonard’s phone rang with an emergency call from Victor. “Mr. Faron, there’s an urgent issue at the company. We need you to handle it immediately.”
He glanced at his sleeping son on the bed and hesitated. “Samantha, take care of him for a bit. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Samantha nodded obediently, and she said with a gentle expression, “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Yan.”
Leonard left in a hurry, but as he reached the door and checked his pocket, he realized he had forgotten his car keys.
He turned back, and just as he approached the room, he heard Samantha’s shrill voice from inside. You little brat, why are you pretending to be sick? You made me leave the party early!”
Yannick’s voice was weak as he sobbed. “I’m sorry, Aunt Sam. I didn’t mean to…”
“I’m warning you, don’t act all pitiful in front of your father! If you dare say a word, just wait and see what I’ll do to you!” Samantha’s voice was terrifyingly cold, with no hint of compassion in it at all.
Yannick whimpered. “I won’t say anything. I’ll be good, please don’t hit me…”
Samantha scoffed. “At least you know
er place. Just like your bitch of a mother…”
Leonard froze outside the door. The sweet and gentle image of the woman he once loved collapsed in an instant.
He flung the door wide open.
Samantha turned in terror, locking eyes with
Conard’s furious gaze.
Her face turned pale as she stammered in a panic, “Leonard… Let me explain, I just…”
But Leonard was already storming forward. He slapped her hard across the face.
She stumbled into the wall, and her carefully styled hair fell loose.
He said in an icy tone, “I had no idea. So this is how you’ve been acting toward my children behind my back? If you’re already hitting him and threatening him now, does that mean you’ll try to control me in the future?”
Leonard said coldly, “Get out. Take your things and get out of my house tonight. Don’t ever let me see you again.”
Covering her face, Samantha cried out desperately, “Leonard, I was just too anxious. I really do love the kids. I’ll treat them better from now on…‘
Leonard sneered. “Love? You call hitting and threatening them love?”
He turned to the bed, where Yannick had curled up into a ball.
11
Looking at Yannick’s tear–stained face, Leonard felt his heart twist in pain.
How blind had he been to not see the fear his children lived with every day?
Yannick reached out with a trembling hand and said fearfully, “Dad, it was my fault. I’ll listen to Aunt Sam, so please, don’t throw me away…” Leonard knelt beside the bed, holding Yannick’s hand tightly, “No, it was my fault.”
He turned to look at Samantha. The disappointment and disgust in his gaze made her instinctively back away.
Samantha opened her mouth to explain, but Leonard had already pressed the call button?
As her cries disappeared down the hallway, Leonard sat wearily by the bed.
I never thought you were this kind of person.”
“Security, come escort this woman out right now.”
Yannick carefully tugged at Leonard’s sleeve as he sobbed, “Dad, I miss Mom. Will you bring her back?”
Leonard felt his throat tightened.
He thought of Jennifer’s resolve when she left, and of the coldness with which he had treated her for so long. His chest ached with guilt.
At some point, Yvonne had woken up too. She rubbed her eyes and walked over. “Dad, I miss Mom too. When will she come back?” Leonard held both his children in his arms, unable to find the words to comfort them. All he felt was an unbearable bitterness deep in his heart.
