Chapter 224 You Are Unique
Those few minutes of applying medicine to her bruises felt like a century to Olivia.
She was in pain and embarrassed, almost crying out several times and wanting to ask Andrew to stop.
But at the critical moment, another voice would pop up in her head, scolding her not to be ungrateful.
While she was struggling through this, she finally heard a voice that would free her, saying, "All done."
Olivia felt like she'd been granted a reprieve. She quickly pulled down her clothes and instinctively said, "Thank you..."
Andrew looked down at her. Because of the pain, Olivia's eyes had welled up with physiological tears, and her eyes were very red.
Her nose was also flushed red, and her expression looked pitiful, the kind that could really bring out someone's protective instincts.
Originally, Andrew's attitude had been pretty detached, but seeing her like this, his usually calm eyes suddenly deepened.
The delicate sensation from when his palm had made contact earlier seemed to still linger, smooth as silk, with a strong presence.
Something stirred restlessly in his heart.
Andrew took a deep breath, looked away, and said in a suppressed voice, "Get some sleep. When you wake up tomorrow morning, it should be better."
Then he quickly turned and went into the bathroom, washing the ointment off his palm with cold water, while an unfamiliar feeling inexplicably grew in his heart.
Just now...
For a moment, he'd sensed something was about to lose control.
This feeling was really strange, but Andrew could be certain he didn't dislike it!
Olivia didn't notice Andrew's unusual state. She lay back on the bed with confused feelings.
Various thoughts were chattering away in her head, giving her a bit of a headache.
After all, she'd just recovered from a high fever, and Olivia's body hadn't fully recovered yet. Before long, she drifted off to sleep in a daze.
When Andrew came out of the bathroom, Olivia was already fast asleep.
That night, Andrew didn't leave. He made do for the night in the family rest room next door.
Early the next morning, Evelyn and Benjamin came over.
They came to check on Olivia's condition.
When Bianca woke up and found that Olivia was also awake, she hugged her with concern and asked, "Mommy, are you better? I'll blow on it for you."
She gently patted Olivia's body with her little hands - the same gesture Olivia used to comfort her when she wasn't feeling well.
Bianca's actions made everyone's hearts melt.
Olivia couldn't help but pull her into her arms and comfort her, "I'm fine. With you here, I don't have any illness at all."
After a whole night's rest, she had completely recovered from the fever, and because of last night's medicine application and massage, her injuries didn't hurt as much anymore.
At least she could get up by herself now.
Evelyn and Benjamin were both relieved.
After the doctor came to examine her and confirmed there were no problems, they announced she could be discharged and go home to rest.
Andrew directly had David handle the discharge procedures, and then sent them home.
When they were about to go upstairs, Bianca noticed he wasn't following and looked at him with confusion, asking, "Daddy, aren't you coming up?"
Andrew touched her head and told her, "I have urgent work to handle, so I won't go up with you. When I have time, I'll come see you."
He watched Bianca's expression and noticed her mood dropping, so he continued, "Bianca, when I'm not here, I have a task for you - help take care of your mommy. Can you do that?"
Hearing this, Bianca's eyes lit up. As if she'd been given a mission, she immediately replied obediently and seriously, "I can! But Daddy, you have to remember to care about Mommy too!
Otherwise, when Mommy is sick and all alone, it's so sad."
These words stunned both Olivia and Evelyn who was standing nearby.
Bianca had indeed forgotten some things, but the child's subconscious still remembered those bad feelings from before.
Including the times she'd been neglected.
Olivia pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Andrew smiled and said to Bianca, "Okay, I'll remember."
After that, Andrew didn't linger and left.
When Olivia went upstairs, she was somewhat distracted with worry.
The interaction between Bianca and Andrew made it impossible for her to accept it with peace of mind.
She didn't know if continuing like this would make Andrew angry, or give him the illusion of being treated as a substitute.
Originally, he shouldn't have to bear any of this.
When Benjamin went back with Andrew, he also asked curiously, "Bianca seems to treat you as a substitute now. Andrew, doesn't that bother you?
If this continues, what if Dr. Garcia also treats you as an emotional crutch?"
Although he understood Andrew's feelings, honestly speaking, Andrew was so outstanding - what kind of person couldn't he have?
If he really was treated as a substitute, that would be too unfair.
Andrew raised an eyebrow. He hadn't thought about this issue at all.
He asked back, "Is there anyone in this world worthy of me being their substitute?"
Benjamin answered without thinking, "Of course not. No one is worthy. Andrew, you're one of a kind in the whole world!
But Bianca..."
That child was rather special after all, and she was currently in a relapsed state.
Andrew said, "Bianca's situation, though somewhat unexpected, in her concept, I believe there's no such thing as a substitute.
Emotional transfer isn't necessarily finding a substitute. It's also possible that the care I gave before made her consider me her father in her heart.
As far as I know, Michael never gave Bianca any care or attention. She never had a place for him in her heart, so she forgot him just like that.
As for Ms. Garcia..."
Just as Andrew was about to continue, his phone rang.
He looked down and found it was a message from Olivia.
She apologized very sincerely, saying: [Bianca's current state means some of her words might make you uncomfortable or give you other bad feelings. I hope you won't mind.
You're the first male elder who's been this good to her in her whole life. When she was watching cartoons before, she learned that daddies are all this good to their daughters.
So after her condition relapsed, she truly believes you're her daddy.
Your kindness to her is real, vivid, and one of a kind. I see it the same way.
You are the one and only Mr. Hamilton!
Later, when her condition improves, I'll definitely explain it to her properly.]
This short message expressed both her and her daughter's thoughts.
It was exactly what Benjamin had just asked about.
Andrew's gaze couldn't help but linger on the words "one and only" for a few extra moments.
His mood inexplicably brightened.
He quickly typed back: [I know.]
Benjamin, watching his expression instantly soften, immediately shut his mouth.
Well, it seemed he'd been overthinking.
How could Andrew be treated as a substitute?
Besides, Olivia herself was a rational person. How could she possibly confuse Andrew with that scumbag Michael?
Andrew was so good and outstanding!
That Michael couldn't even be mentioned in the same breath.
Bianca must genuinely like Andrew from the bottom of her heart, which was why she thought of him as her father.
After figuring this out, Benjamin didn't dwell on it anymore.
Later, the two returned to Maple Grove Villa.
Although Andrew hadn't rested well last night while looking after Olivia at the hospital, when he got back, he didn't rush to rest. Instead, he went to his study to organize materials.
Benjamin curiously glanced over and found that Andrew was organizing records of Bianca's treatment, along with some research reports.
After reading through them, Benjamin was stunned.
Although he'd always known Andrew was thorough and responsible in his work, he hadn't expected him to organize the materials in such detail.
He suddenly understood why, even though they were both in the same field and he'd also had contact with Bianca, she liked Andrew more.
Benjamin then asked Andrew about another matter, "I heard your grandfather sent Aurelia to find you. Is he trying to rush you back to Harmony City?
The butler said last night that Aurelia came by again and found no one home. Are you sure you don't want to see her?"
Without hesitation, Andrew said, "There's no need to see her."
He could tell what Aurelia was thinking.
That was exactly why he didn't want to go along with Finnegan's wishes, to avoid giving him the impression that this had any hope.
But Benjamin disagreed, "Even if you don't see her, you might not be able to avoid it.
Your grandfather's fondness for Aurelia is obvious. He practically treats her like his granddaughter-in-law already.
I think you should at least deal with it somehow. Otherwise, he might send someone else next time, or even come himself. That situation would be even harder to handle."
Andrew frowned.
He had to admit Benjamin had a point.
This time Finnegan had caught him off guard by sending Aurelia.
Next time, who knows what surprise attack he might pull that would catch them unprepared again.
Rather than passively defending against Finnegan, it would be better to take the initiative and control the situation himself.
After Andrew made his decision, he instructed David, "Book a restaurant for tonight."
Then he glanced at Benjamin, "You'll come with me."
Benjamin was very perceptive and immediately responded, "Got it! I'll be your shield, right? I'm good at that! Order a few dishes I like!"
Andrew wasn't a stingy person and casually agreed, "Approved!"
At the hotel, Aurelia had no news from Andrew all night. She was so irritated she couldn't even sleep well.
It wasn't until this morning that she received a message from Tom saying: [Mr. Hamilton has gone home.]
Seeing this message, Aurelia's thoughts became active again.
She was just thinking about what method and excuse she should use to ask Andrew out.
Unexpectedly, before she could start taking action, she received a message from David.
David sent her a restaurant address, telling her: [Ms. Kingsley, Mr. Hamilton invites you to dinner tonight. This is the restaurant address.]
Aurelia suspected this was a hallucination.
She pinched her arm hard. When the pain hit, she realized it was actually real!
Andrew was actually taking the initiative to invite her to dinner!
Looking at the address on her phone, she was overjoyed and incredibly happy.
Aurelia: [Okay, I got it.]
She immediately replied to David's message, then started picking out clothes to wear to dinner tonight.
This rare chance to be with Andrew - she had to make a perfect impression on him!
Aurelia spent the whole day at the hotel in anticipation, picking through piles of clothes and even doing her makeup beautifully.
When evening came, she happily went to the appointment.