After changing Maeve's clothes, Byron lowered the car window so the waiting doctor could examine her. He was shocked by the doctor's assessment: Maeve's heartbeat was so weak it was barely detectable. Fortunately, the emergency equipment was in the medical van following them; otherwise, Maeve might have died before reaching the sanatorium. Upon arrival, she was immediately taken to the emergency room. Leon, perhaps due to differing physiques, was in a coma but not in critical danger. However, Maeve's condition was...
"Let me in! I can help!" Theo stood before Byron, a small first-aid kit in hand, his expression serious.
Will, frowning anxiously, said, "Dad, he's Dr. Leo Chatterly, the one who cured Great-Grandfather. Please trust him."
Byron looked down at Theo, a small boy barely reaching his knees, wearing round glasses. He looked like a "silly goose," Byron thought, a sudden realization dawning. "You're Jaylen's friend?" he asked.
"It's me!" Theo puffed out his chest. "Maeve and I are close. How could I just wait here when something's happened to her?" He relied on his disguise to boldly demand access from his "cheap daddy," Byron. If Byron refused, Theo was not someone to be trifled with.
Unexpectedly, Byron simply sized Theo up before instructing a nurse to bring him into the emergency room. Will pursed his lips, his large eyes betraying his desire to enter, but he understood the seriousness of the situation. He wouldn't cause trouble by entering then.
Byron noticed Will's worried expression, a flicker of doubt crossing his own eyes. "Will, are you worried about her?" he asked.
"Yes," Will nodded hesitantly. "She saved my life, and I want to return her kindness, right, Dad?"
A hint of complexity clouded Byron's gaze as he gently touched Will's head. "Yes, you're right." He mused, "Will has a good impression of Maeve. I wonder if that's good or bad."
After over two hours, Maeve was moved from the emergency room to a VIP ward.
"How is she?" Byron asked in a low voice.
The doctor replied, "Mr. McDaniel, thanks to Dr. Leo Chatterly, Ms. Reese is out of danger. She needs rest and observation. She might develop a fever overnight, which is a concern."
"What should we watch for?"
The doctor gave detailed instructions before leaving with the nurse.
Byron rolled up his sleeves, intending to wash Maeve's face, but Theo and Will anticipated him. Theo obtained and applied heat packs to Maeve's hands and abdomen. Will wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and neck. They had covered everything the doctor instructed, leaving Byron feeling somewhat redundant. He even thought they looked like brothers.
Byron said calmly, "Kid, how old are you?"
"Eighty-eight," Theo replied smoothly.
Byron raised an eyebrow. "Your real age?"
"That's a secret," Theo said, thoughtfully rubbing his chin (though he lacked a beard).
Byron studied Theo; his mannerisms resembled Will's rebellious phase—only more so. "Then what's your name?"
"That's paid content," Theo joked, waving his hand. His tight-lipped demeanor and mischievous spirit vaguely reminded Byron of Maeve. This caused Byron to narrow his eyes.
Will subtly nudged Theo, urging him to be cautious. Theo smirked, "I'm not afraid. With this face, it'd be weird if he recognized me."
Will sighed; Theo was too reckless.
The doctor's worst prediction came true: Maeve developed a high fever later that night, restless and murmuring incoherently. The nurse brought the antipyretic soup Theo had instructed. Byron tried to feed Maeve, but she vomited it, continuing to murmur. Will and Theo anxiously watched.
"You have a fever. Don't move. Drink the medicine," Byron held her hand, coaxing her.
"No... no..." Maeve frowned. "I don't want you..."
Byron's eyes darkened. "Who do you want, then?" he asked quietly. The heartless woman just escaped death and now rejects me? he thought.
Maeve's lips moved. "Theo... I want Theo to feed me, not Byron."
She seemed partially conscious. She pushed Byron away.
Theo, delighted at being summoned, rushed to her side. "Mom... Maeve, I'm here. I'll feed you, okay?"
"Yes, yes," Maeve finally calmed.
Theo fed Maeve, beaming with pride. With his father and brother present and Maeve's preference, he felt triumphant.
Byron was speechless. Will was at a loss. The silence was thick with unspoken jealousy. We're all men. Why can he do it and I can't? Byron wondered, particularly stung by Maeve's rejection. His handsome face was filled with uncertainty.
He eyed Theo's small frame, a frustrated expression evident. Will, seeing this, asked Theo if he could try. Theo readily agreed. Perhaps Will's presence offered familiarity, as Maeve drank the medicine without resistance. Byron felt isolated, excluded from Maeve and her "sons."
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