Chapter 48
The atmosphere froze.
Just then, the operating room light went out.
Isabella was wheeled out. Amelia rushed over, tears welling up in her eyes. "Isabella, can you hear me?"
The doctor took off his mask. "The child is still unconscious. She won't wake up for a few more hours."
Amelia went limp, her body swaying.
James seemed to feel bad for her and stepped forward to steady her. "Isabella is out of danger now. Don't worry too much."
Amelia nodded.
I watched coldly as Amelia and James followed the doctor into the ward.
I figured there was nothing left for me to do here, so I rubbed my aching temples and was about to head back to the hotel with Andrew to rest.
But James called out to me. "Isabella's awake. Come see her too."
I was speechless.
So she was awake. What was there to see?
But I worried that Amelia might make a scene in front of Isabella, so I told Andrew and followed them.
I stayed in the ward with them and pulled up a chair to sit down.
Before I knew it, I dozed off with my head tilted to one side.
When I woke up again, there was a suit jacket draped over me.
James being so thoughtful all of a sudden felt really strange.
I looked over at James.
He was standing by the bed, Amelia was sitting, and Isabella was already awake, sitting up in bed with a pouty face, tears streaming down.
Amelia looked heartbroken. "James, Isabella..."
James's tone left no room for argument. "If you do something wrong, you should apologize."
Isabella sobbed. "I'm, I'm sorry..."
James kept a straight face. "Sorry to who?"
Isabella cried as she apologized. "Aunt, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. I'll never be greedy again."
I could hardly believe it—Isabella was actually apologizing to me.
Maybe James saw my shocked expression, because he said sternly, "Stop crying and speak clearly."
Amelia hugged her daughter and cried, looking at me. "Sophia, Isabella has already apologized. You're a grown-up—can't you stop holding a grudge against a child?"
I hadn't said a single word, yet Amelia was already picking a fight with me.
This was just ridiculous.
I wasn't about to let Amelia keep up her act, so I cut her off. "Amelia, I never said I wouldn't accept Isabella's apology."
She was just a child, like a blank slate. Why would I hold a grudge against her? If I really wanted to settle scores, it would be with Amelia.
Amelia's tears hung on her eyelashes as her expression gradually turned awkward.
She said unnaturally and stiffly, "You, you're willing to forgive Isabella? That's really great."
Isabella was hungry and fussed about wanting to eat.
Amelia looked at James softly. "James, can you come with me to buy something?"
James nodded and told me, "Keep an eye on Isabella."
Before I could refuse, they were gone.
I stared at Isabella, and Isabella stared back at me. We had a staring contest.
Finally, Isabella's eyes got tired. She rubbed them. "Hmph, I don't want to be in the same room with you."
She tried to get out of bed, but I pressed her back down. "You stay in bed and behave yourself. Otherwise, if something happens, your mom will blame me again."
"If you don't listen, I'll throw you out and let bad people catch you. Then you'll never see your mom and dad again."
My words successfully scared Isabella.
Seeing her little face turn pale, I felt bad and softened my voice. "But as long as you behave and don't run around, nothing will happen."
Isabella lay obediently in bed, not daring to move, afraid of making me angry and being thrown out to be caught by bad people.
When James and Amelia came back, she called out to Amelia with tears in her voice. "Mommy."
Amelia's expression changed dramatically. Just as she was about to come at me, I beat her to it. "You guys took too long. She cried from hunger."
James set up the bed table and put the food they brought back in front of Isabella. "If you're hungry, eat up."
Isabella acted cute. "Daddy, I want you to feed me."
James hesitated for a moment, then picked up the food to feed Isabella.
He fed her a huge spoonful, and before Isabella could swallow it, he was already feeding her the next one.
I clicked my tongue. "If you feed her like that, she'll choke."
"Then how should I feed her?" James asked humbly.
I stepped forward, took the utensils from his hand, and waited for Isabella to swallow before picking up a small bite to continue feeding her.
Isabella didn't want to eat what I was feeding her at first, but when she caught a glimpse of James's expression, she didn't dare act up in front of him. She shrank her neck and obediently ate what I fed her.
As I fed her, I told James how to take care of a child.
Amelia was left on the sidelines like an outsider, completely unable to fit in with us. She let out a heavy sigh.
I heard it and just glanced at her. James was focused on learning how to feed and couldn't pay attention to her.
Amelia ground her molars and squeezed out a sentence. "James, why don't you let me feed her instead?"
James stopped and waited for Isabella to finish eating before answering her. "You look really tired. Go back and rest. We'll watch Isabella."
I was a bit angry.
Couldn't James see that I was tired too?
Yet he insisted on keeping me here to help him take care of the child.
He loved Amelia and felt sorry for her—I didn't care about that, but could he please not torture me?
Being cared for by James, Amelia showed a sweet smile on her face and said to me as if showing off, "Sophia, James cares about me. Please don't be angry."
"He's also afraid I'll collapse from exhaustion. Then he'd have to take care of both of us and wouldn't be able to manage."
I knew what she was up to and didn't fall for it at all. "Amelia, I know what's going on. You don't need to tell me all this on purpose."
"Saying it like that makes it too obvious, like you're showing off to me."
"You're James's brother's wife. Even if he were desperate, he wouldn't make a move on you, so I'm not worried at all."
Amelia wanted to make me angry, but I refused to give her what she wanted.
I smiled at her and watched as her face twisted into a somewhat frightening expression.
Looks like that comment really hit Amelia's fragile and sensitive little heart.
That felt great.
When Amelia was unhappy, I was happy.
Hearing my sarcastic tone, James furrowed his brow. "Sophia, didn't I tell you? There's nothing between Amelia and me."
I nodded, my tone a bit mocking. "I know. There's nothing between you two. You don't need to keep emphasizing it."
Amelia lowered her head, looking wronged. "James, Sophia seems to have misunderstood us again."
I quickly explained. "Amelia, you're really accusing me unfairly. I haven't misunderstood you at all, really."
Afraid they wouldn't believe me, I immediately made a solemn vow to God.
Amelia couldn't get her words out. She was so frustrated, her face turning red.