Byron emerged from the master bedroom and collided with Theo, who had awakened thirsty. The little boy wore cow pajamas and a nightcap. He rubbed his eyes and yawned as he walked, like a character stepped from a comic strip. Theo wasn't watching where he was going and bumped into Byron's leg.
Looking up and seeing his father's gloomy expression, he instantly became alert.
"Why are you standing here?" Theo's voice was soft, his throat still uncomfortable. "Why aren't you sleeping? Are you trying to scare me?"
Byron was in a foul mood. His furrowed brows eased slightly at his son's well-behaved demeanor.
"Will, can you sleep with your mom tonight?"
"Oh? Are you that kind?" Theo's face was sharp. "Don't you usually throw me out of Mommy's room when I'm asleep?"
He thinks no one knows, but I do. I've long seen how he dominates Mommy, Theo thought.
Byron believed Theo was unaware. He always returned him to his room after Theo fell asleep.
Byron coughed lightly and said softly, "Mommy isn't feeling well after drinking tonight. She might throw up. You're the little man of the family. You should take care of Mommy, right?"
Hearing about his mother's drinking, Theo immediately forgot his earlier complaints.
"I know. Leave it to me. I'll take good care of Mommy," Theo patted his chest. "What about you?"
"I have something to do. I need to go out for a while."
"Go ahead. I'll tell Mommy tomorrow that you snuck out to have fun behind her back."
Byron was speechless. "You're not allowed to read those inappropriate books anymore."
What did he learn?
Theo put his hands on his hips. "As a parent, you aren't setting a good example. Do you want Leo and me to sneak out at night?" Byron was speechless under his son's lecture.
He couldn't bear his rebellious son for a single day.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and compromised. "Alright, I'll sleep in the other room."
Theo waved his hand dismissively. "Okay, you can leave now. I want carne asada tacos and waffles for breakfast tomorrow."
Byron found his son's commanding tone familiar.
Byron's lips twitched as he tugged at the fluff from Theo's nightcap. "Take good care of Mommy. I'll give you a reward tomorrow. Don't tell Mommy I asked you to do this, or you won't get it."
Theo groaned. Even if Daddy didn't say anything, I'll take care of Mommy. But Daddy is so weird. Why does he care about Mommy in secret? An adult's heart is a deep ocean of secrets.
The next morning, Theo ate his requested breakfast, but his father was absent. Will learned his mother was still asleep after last night's drinking. He tiptoed into the master bedroom and found his mother's forehead was hot.
He quickly called Theo. "Theo, quickly check Mommy. Does she have a fever?"
Theo forgot his waffles. He rushed to check on Maeve.
"Mommy has a high temperature and heartburn. Wait..." Theo sensed something, but couldn't grasp it.
Will frowned. "How is she?"
"It might be from the alcohol not metabolizing yet. Will, get the fever patches I made yesterday."
After a recent fever, Theo had made fever patches using traditional herbs, anticipating future illnesses. He'd made some for children and adults.
Will knew where they were and quickly retrieved them.
Theo carefully applied a patch to Maeve's forehead. "You don't need to remove this."
Will looked at him in admiration. "Theo, you're amazing."
"Of course. I'm Mommy's child!" Theo rubbed his chin smugly.
"Even if you're my child, if you're late for school, I'll spank you." Maeve's voice was faint.
Theo immediately jumped into her arms. "You can't bear to!"
"Mom, you're awake!" Joy filled Will's eyes. "Do you have a headache? Are you uncomfortable?"
Maeve shook her head. Touching the fever patch, warmth filled her heart.
"You two will be late for school. Don't keep the driver waiting."
"Mom, don't worry, there's still time," Will explained. "We'll go after your fever is gone."
Theo pouted. "That's right. How can we leave our sick Mommy for school?"
Maeve chuckled and poked his head. "I think you just want to skip school. If your brother wasn't watching you, you'd be accepting offerings from your school lackeys, right?" The little boy slumped onto the bed.
"I didn't want them. They wanted to be my followers."
10:26 Sun, Nov
Will confirmed, "Mom, Theo's right." The group of children were incredibly devoted to Theo, even baffling their teachers.
But Will thought his younger brother was cute and powerful. It was only natural he was liked.
Maeve looked at the proud Theo and shook her head.
Will noticed the necklace around Maeve's neck. "Mom, is this a gift from Dad?"
"Do you know?"
"Yes, Dad asked me when he was choosing a gift for you at the overseas auction."
They'd discussed for a long time before choosing the blue diamond jewelry.
Maeve was stunned. "The gift he brought back was specially selected at an auction?"
Theo looked at the necklace. "Stinky Dad has good taste. It suits you." Will was puzzled. "Daddy doesn't stink." He thought his dad smelled as good as his mom.
"He still has a long way to go before he can upgrade." Theo raised his chin.
"Alright." Will didn't understand, but respected his brother's opinion.
Maeve touched the necklace. Last night's events after her drinking replayed in her mind.
Before she could fully remember, Will asked, "Mom, can I borrow your bracelet? I want to modify it for self-defense." Maeve was shocked. "Do you know how?"