“I’m not your servant! You’re delusional!” Ranita pushed his hand away and set down the glass. “I’ll take Ayaan back first, you can rest on your own.”
“Ranita!” Brendon grumbled. “My back really itches, can you take a look?”
Ranita felt sorry for him, but she wasn’t his caretaker or anything.
“Mommy, can you help Daddy? He looks really uncomfortable,” Ayaan hugged Ranita’s leg and spoke up for Brendon.
Ranita squinted at him and poked his head. “So now that you have a dad, you don’t need me anymore?”
“No… Daddy really looks uncomfortable,” Ayaan explained.
Ranita really wanted to tell him that the adult world is full of deceit and one can pretend to be fine even when feeling upset! But her son was still young, so Ranita couldn’t say it directly. She hummed a bit and turned around, preparing to expose Brendon and give a serious lesson to the naive little one.
“Where?”
“Behind…” Brendon gently turned over, revealing his back. Although he had been lying down for two or three days, his body was clean and had no smell. Ranita lifted his loose hospital gown and immediately gasped.
Brendon’s back was covered in a dense rash, all red and swollen.
“I’ll call the doctor!” Ranita initially thought Brendon was doing it on purpose, but she didn’t expect it to be a genuine issue.
Ranita felt a bit guilty, realizing she had been too presumptuous.
After the doctor examined him, they said it was prickly heat and advised applying some ointment and turning over more frequently. Soon, a nurse brought her a tube of cream.
“Don’t move, I’ll apply the ointment for you.”
Brendon nodded. He had his back turned to her and was playing with Ayaan in front of him. They were making silly faces, and Ranita didn’t know what they were up to.
Just as Ranita finished applying the ointment and hadn’t had a chance to wash her hands, Holly rushed back like a ticking time bomb.
“Ranita, what are you doing here?” As soon as Holly saw Ranita, she started hopping in anger. Then she noticed the chubby little one and sneered, “Ah, so this is the wild child you brought back…”
“Holly!” Brendon coldly reprimanded, “Watch your words!”
“Brother…” Holly wanted to argue back, but when she caught a glimpse of Ranita’s little one peeking at her, Holly was startled.
Holly couldn’t believe her eyes. Brendon was her brother, and she had naturally seen pictures of him when he was young. Even if she didn’t know what Brendon looked like as a child, this child resembled him too much.
“He…”
“Brendon, your family is here. I’m taking Ayaan and leaving!” Ranita didn’t care about Brendon’s grievances and walked away directly.
Holly was still in shock for a while before asking Brendon, “Is that child really yours?”
“He’s not mine, could he be yours?” Brendon gave Holly a cold glance. “Why did you come to Steland?”
“I had some business and came for a visit. I didn’t expect you to have an accident and end up in the hospital.” Holly’s mind was in disarray, and she steered the conversation back. “Brother, have you done a paternity test with that kid? Is he really your son? My nephew?”
“It’s impossible. It was clearly said back then…”
“Enough! I don’t want to hear any of this! Pack your things and hurry back to Kurima.” Brendon interrupted, impatiently. “There’s nothing to worry about, don’t come here and cause trouble.”
“But…” Holly gritted her teeth, full of resentment. “Why do you always side with Ranita? What’s so good about her? I’m your sister!”
“Holly!” Brendon’s gaze turned icy, and his voice carried an indescribable authority.