Cheyenne didn’t expect to hear her son express these feelings as soon as she walked in the door. She stopped in her tracks, stunned in place.
Oliver, unaware of her presence, continued, “I even wondered if I was really your biological son, or if you and Mom picked me up from outside.”
“Or… am I actually Uncle Omari’s son? Because he seems to like me more than you.”
“You always tell me that as a boy, I should learn to be independent and grow up on my own.”
“But Dad, do you know? Every time I see other kids riding on their father’s shoulders at the kindergarten gate, I envy them so much…”
It was a scene he never dared to imagine, a fatherly love he longed for but dared not seek. He didn’t know if Dad could hear these words, but Oliver carefully and gently wiped the dust off his face. Then he mustered up his courage, kissed him on the cheek, and immediately left, his eyes filled with the purest, most primal yearning and admiration for his father. “Even though you don’t like me, you will always be my dad in my heart.”
“When I heard you were in danger, I was so worried. I don’t want to be without a dad, so I came.” As he said this, his face was earnest and expectant.
“Hey, Dad, you have to get better quickly, or Mom will be fooled away by Uncle Omari.”
Cheyenne felt quite guilty when she heard the earlier words. She also reflected on whether she had given Oliver enough love, causing him to feel unimportant. But when she heard the last sentence from the little guy, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Oliver,” she called out to him.
Before Cheyenne could finish her sentence, Omari had already walked over and scooped Oliver up from behind. He weighed him, and indeed, he had gained quite a bit of weight.
“You little rascal, bad-mouthing me behind my back, huh? What do you mean Uncle Omari will take your mom away? Isn’t she right here, fine and well?” Oliver hadn’t expected his words to be heard by Uncle Omari. He stuck out his tongue and immediately defended himself.
“Uncle Omari, when did you come? You must have misheard me… I didn’t say that.”
“Quit pretending. I’ve been here for a while. Not only did I hear you want to be my son, but I also heard you say I would steal your mom.”
“Why don’t you just give up on your dad and be my son? I really like you too.” Kelvin, leaving behind such a clever and smart little son, deserved his own consequences! Letting the son of his rival call him dad seemed not so bad after all. Oliver’s round face turned red, and he heartlessly rejected him.
“I don’t want to. I want my dad.”
“Why? Am I not good to you…”
“Uncle Omari is good to me, but Oliver can only have one dad, and my mom can only have one husband, so give it up.” This time, Omari felt like he had been hit with ten thousand blows, pretending to be heartbroken as he placed a hand over his chest.
“Oh, Cheyenne, your son is quite something. Does Kelvin often bad-mouth me in front of him?” Cheyenne glanced lovingly at Oliver, feeling the warmth of her long-missed children after nearly half a month.
“Stop kidding. My son is still young, and so are you.”
“Mom.” As soon as he saw Cheyenne, Oliver immediately rushed into her arms, like a lost chick finding its mother in the woods. Cheyenne opened her arms and firmly held him, tears streaming down her face.
This tear was for joy at Oliver’s obedience and maturity. When she and Kelvin were in danger, she had imagined countless possibilities, but she never imagined that Oliver would come to their rescue. He was only four years old! How could such a small child manage to save them in such difficult circumstances? Yet Oliver did it! He was her son, and as a mother, she was not only moved but also proud of him. She thought Kelvin must share the same sentiment as her.
“Oliver, you’re wrong. Your dad actually loves you very much. He just has a flaw, he doesn’t know how to express it.”
“It’s not just because you’re a boy, but because you’re his son that he’s strict with you. Let’s forgive him for being a fool, okay?” Oliver was still a child after all; he would feel pain when he bled and cry when he was wronged. At this moment, he leaned against his mother’s warm embrace, unable to control his emotions and burst into tears.
“Really, Mom? Dad doesn’t dislike me?”
“Of course it’s true. If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself when he wakes up.” Hearing this, Oliver turned his head to look at his father, who was still in a coma, with a worried expression on his face once again.
“But when will Dad wake up?”
“Have you forgotten what I do? Don’t worry, with me here, your dad will be fine.” Cheyenne wiped away Oliver’s tears with her hand, holding his hand as they walked to the bedside. She was worried about Kelvin’s condition and needed to confirm it herself to feel at ease. Fortunately, after a thorough examination, she found that Kelvin’s injuries were not serious.
It was just a bone in his lower back that had been displaced by the impact and would need some time to heal while lying in bed.
As for his coma, it was because his body couldn’t bear the immense pain from the electric shock. In this regard, they had Oliver and Channing to thank.
If they hadn’t blown open the laboratory door in time, allowing the water from outside to rush in, Kelvin might have died from electrocution.
The instant impact of the river water significantly reduced the electric current, saving Kelvin’s life. However, after such an ordeal, he would need some time to recuperate.
With Kelvin safe, everyone could finally relax.
“Cheyenne, let me stay and take care of him. You just woke up, you need to rest.” Omari volunteered to take care of Kelvin. This was truly more surprising than red rain falling from the sky, and Channing eyed him suspiciously.
“Really? You’re not going to take advantage of my son-in-law being unconscious to get back at him, are you?”
“Uncle Channing, what do you take me for?”
“Besides, Kelvin risked himself to save me and Cheyenne; do you think I would bully a defenseless patient?” The answer was-of course he would! After hearing this, Cheyenne felt that this might be a good opportunity for Kelvin and Omari to turn from enemies into friends.
“Well then, Mr. Lara, please take care of him. Let me know when he wakes up.”
“Don’t worry, Cheyenne, I’ll take good care of him!” Omari said with a half-smile, waving her away to rest in her own room.
“Uncle Omari, I’m counting on you to take care of my dad. Don’t you dare bully him.” Before leaving, Oliver reminded him with concern.
“Don’t worry, I won’t.”