Free Web NovelChapter 104: Chapter 104 Tender Care
Elara
I left the office around noon and went straight to the hospital. To my surprise, Dominic was already there waiting.
The caretaker hurried to explain when she saw me. "Mrs. Wolfe, your husband is inside. That’s why I stepped out for a moment."
I smiled. "It’s okay. I understand. Please, take a break."
When I opened the door, I found Dominic beside Grandmother’s bed with a bowl of water. He was squeezing out a washcloth to clean her face.
He looked up and smiled. "You’re here."
"I was just cleaning her up. Her skin looks dry and red. The doctor said to use moisturizer after washing her face so her skin doesn’t get worse."
I stopped, surprised by how careful he was.
I reached out. "Let me do that."
But Dominic didn’t give me the washcloth. He kept working. "It’s okay, I’m almost done. The moisturizer is in the drawer. You can put that on for her."
"We should tell the caretaker to do this every day," he added.
Dominic being so thoughtful surprised me. I was really touched.
"How do you know all this?" I asked quietly.
He pressed his lips together. "My mother was sick for a long time. I learned by taking care of her."
"I’m sorry," I said gently.
"Don’t be," he said. "Everyone gets sick and dies. My mother died years ago. What matters is that we visit often and take good care of your grandmother. Then we won’t have regrets."
I nodded and sat in a chair beside the bed. I took my grandmother’s hand. "Grandmother, Dominic washed your face today. Do you remember him?" ƒreewebɳovel.com
"I don’t know if you can hear me, but I really hope you wake up soon."
"When you do, I’ll bring you to live with us. I have more free time now, so I can spend more time with you. Would you like that?"
Every visit to my grandmother made me sad.
When I thought about what happened to her, I felt like I was too easy on Selina when I hit her with that belt.
She should have gotten a hundred hits, not just one.
The doctor came in to tell us about her condition.
"The patient looks good today. Her eyes react to light and she blinks sometimes. This means she’s aware of things."
"For example, when we shine a bright light in her eyes, she blinks right away. That’s normal."
"You should talk to her a lot. Do you have any good news that might wake her up? Maybe news about a baby or another child coming? Something like that?"
I stopped breathing and couldn’t look at Dominic. My face got hot. "Doctor, are there other ways?"
The doctor thought seriously. "Usually, old patients respond best to news about their family getting bigger."
"Of course, I’m just suggesting things. These things should happen naturally."
The doctor looked quickly at Dominic before leaving the room.
Dominic raised an eyebrow and laughed quietly. "Did the doctor see how embarrassed you looked and think I can’t do my job as a husband?"
I pressed my lips together, feeling stuck. "I didn’t say that."
"But Mrs. Wolfe, your face just said exactly that!"
I smiled awkwardly. "You’re wrong, Mr. Wolfe."
Dominic pressed his tongue against his cheek, looking amused but pretending to be hurt. "Let’s go. My father is waiting for us at home."
This was the first time since Dominic and I got married that someone talked about having kids.
I just didn’t expect it to be the doctor.
Dominic dropped the topic and drove us back to the Wolfe house.
As soon as we parked, that little ball of energy came running toward us.
"Aunt Elara, you’re back! I’ve been waiting forever! I drew so many new pictures today. Can you look at them?"
Even though I saw him just a week ago, Orion seemed taller. Maybe I was imagining things.
"Orion, did you get taller?"
He looked confused. "Do you think so, Aunt Elara? Actually, I did my hair different today. I saw guys on TV doing it this way!"
Dominic frowned and messed up the boy’s hair. "You’re only SIX and already trying to look cool! Orion, you’re asking for trouble!"
"Uncle Dominic, you’re so mean!" Orion stared at his messy hair, looking ready to cry. "Uncle Dominic, you ruined my hair! I’m supposed to go to the park with Molly tomorrow!"
Dominic bent down and picked up his nephew. "Wait. Tell me more about this Molly."
I watched them walk away and rolled my eyes.
Orion was just a kid, but Dominic argued with him like they were the same age.
Dominic carried his squirming nephew, looking suspicious. "Orion, stop taking all of my wife’s attention. Ask your father to find you a mom!"
Orion struggled in his arms. "Uncle Dominic, you’re so selfish!"
"I’m not trying to steal Aunt Elara from you. Why are you being so jealous?"
Dominic raised an eyebrow. "Jealous? Kid, you don’t even know what that word means."
The little boy broke free. "I know exactly what it means! You’re jealous of me!"
While Dominic and his nephew kept arguing, I sat down beside Hunter.
"Elara, good to see you!" Hunter said warmly.
Hunter added. "By the way, Elara, your wedding ceremony will still happen, right?"
Dominic was busy with his nephew, but he was clearly listening. He frowned at his father. "Dad, I’m thinking about postponing the wedding."
I quickly spoke up. "Hunter, the wedding will happen as planned."
I thought about postponing it too, waiting until Grandmother woke up.
But since we got married, I’ve been the only one getting benefits from this deal. I felt like I hadn’t done anything for Dominic yet.
This one sided relationship made me uncomfortable.
Meeting Dominic’s surprised look, I said, "The wedding will go on. The doctor said Grandmother needs something exciting to wake up. Telling her about our wedding might help her get better."
Dominic thought about it for a few seconds, then smiled. "Alright, whatever you say."
"Happy wife, happy life, after all."
Both Hunter and Orion stopped talking, clearly shocked.
