The psychologist had warned him with a stern sense of responsibility-he needed to maintain a healthy mindset and correct values. His obsessive, dark tendencies would eventually destroy the person he loved.
Clutching the medication in his hand, he forced himself to suppress it all.
By the time Wayne Burns regained his vision, Leland Burns was already standing.
The little one had just woken up, his hair tousled from sleep, his round cheeks flushed pink, his eyes still heavy with drowsiness. He rubbed his eyes, unaware of what had just happened, and opened his mouth to call out, “Dad-”
Leland Burns raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence.
Wayne Burns was fully awake now and immediately understood-his father didn’t want to disturb their mother’s sleep.
Mom smelled sweet and was so warm. He wanted to sleep like this forever. Glancing at his father standing nearby, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for him.
Even though Mom had said she wasn’t afraid of Dad anymore, he could still sense her fear. Fear kept her distant, always retreating. No matter how much Dad loved her, she would never share a bed with him.
He had been careful, not daring to move under his father’s watchful gaze, but Mom still woke up.
Winifred Dawson had slept deeply. Perhaps the exhaustion and stress of the past few days had finally caught up with her. The moment she relaxed, drowsiness took over. Holding the two children close, this had been her most peaceful and sound sleep in days.
Yet the moment she opened her eyes, Leland Burns stood before her. For a second, she thought it was a nightmare and instinctively shrank back.
The sudden movement jolted Shawn Burns awake beside her.
Both children stared at her, confused. “Aunt Winifred…”
In those brief seconds, Winifred Dawson snapped back to reality. This wasn’t a nightmare-but seeing Leland Burns in person was far more terrifying. At least the children were here; he wouldn’t do anything to her in front of them.
Leland Burns loved this scene. It was warm, almost domestic. If not for the fear in Winifred Dawson’s eyes, they could have passed for a normal family of four.
He cherished the sight, but his words remained sharp. “I asked you to look after the children, not sleep with them.”
Winifred Dawson had only meant to rest for a moment, but she’d ended up oversleeping. She had no idea what time it was now. Knowing she was at fault, she murmured an apology. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
Wayne Burns cut in. “Dad, don’t scold Aunt Winifred. She spent the whole day with us-telling stories, teaching us to read and write, practicing English. She was exhausted. We were the ones who begged her to sleep with us.”
He hadn’t meant to reprimand her. He wanted to be kind, but somehow, it never came out right.
“Fine. For their sake, I’ll let it go today.”
Winifred Dawson didn’t relax at his words. She must have slept far longer than intended-the light outside had dimmed. Frantically grabbing her phone, she checked the time: nearly five. She had to leave now, or it would be too late.
Without sparing a glance for the man beside her, she scrambled out of bed, her clothes disheveled. “Since you’re back, I should go.”
Leland Burns closed the distance between them without hesitation, gripping her wrist. “It’s still early.” He had just returned, and already she was rushing to leave. He wanted her to stay longer, to indulge his selfish desires. Even if they did nothing, just watching her play with the children would have been enough.
Winifred Dawson twisted her wrist, but his hold was unyielding. His dominance only fueled her rising agitation. Finally, she snapped. “Let go!”
The sharp command startled the two children.
They stared in stunned silence as the atmosphere turned icy.
Were Mom and Dad about to fight? Shawn Burns hid behind his brother, his worried gaze fixed on Winifred Dawson.
Leland Burns didn’t release her. His grip remained firm, his brow furrowed.
Defeated, Winifred Dawson forced herself to calm down. With the children present, she couldn’t afford to make a scene.
“Let me go. I need to leave, or it’ll be too late.” Her voice trembled with pleading. She didn’t dare mention Garrison Reeves-it would only anger Leland, making it harder to escape.
What was urgent to her meant nothing to him. Her outburst only made her seem unreasonable. She willed herself to steady her breathing.
Leland Burns finally released her. “Taxis are hard to find here. I’ll have my driver take you.” There was no need to rush. They had time.
“No, I’ll call one myself.”
This time, he didn’t stop her. He watched as Winifred Dawson hurried out of the room and down the stairs.
Wayne Burns wanted to chase after her, but one look at his father’s darkened expression made him hesitate. Instead, he tilted his head up. “Dad, is that medicine in your hand? Are you sick?”
Leland Burns looked down at the two pairs of concerned eyes fixed on him. The bag of medication was obvious-both children had noticed.
Only Winifred Dawson hadn’t seen it.
And even if she had, she wouldn’t have cared. She wouldn’t have asked.