Chapter 102 Still Can’t Help It
Andrew was in a real panic and rushed over, taking two steps at a time.
Emily quickly took her daughter from her father’s arms.
The little girl's body was scorching hot—even through her thin clothes, Emily could feel the burning heat.
Eleanor's face was bright red. Her usually lively big eyes were tightly shut, her eyelashes damp, her breathing fast and shallow, and her small body twitching from time to time.
"Eleanor? Eleanor, wake up!" Emily's voice trembled as she touched her daughter's forehead. It was so hot it made her chest tighten.
She immediately hugged her tighter. "What happened? How did Eleanor suddenly get a fever?"
Andrew choked up at her question, then looked guilty and anxious. "It's my fault... This afternoon, Eleanor wanted ice cream, so I gave it to her. Right after she ate it, she said she felt cold, and then the fever started... On the way to the hospital, we tried emergency cooling, but her temperature wouldn't go down."
Emily held Eleanor and nodded, trying to stay calm. "It's okay, it'll be okay. Eleanor, don't be scared. Mommy's here. Mommy's taking you to the doctor. You'll be better soon."
Then she hurried off with Eleanor to find the doctor.
Alex had already arranged everything—the top medical team was on standby.
"Miss Johnson, please hand the child over to us. We’ll reduce her fever as quickly as possible. Right now, we need to examine her first,” the lead doctor said professionally.
Emily nodded quickly. "Please be gentle with her. She's afraid of pain..."
Watching her unconscious daughter, it felt like an invisible hand was squeezing her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Guilt and heartache mixed together, leaving Emily drained.
She watched as the doctors took her daughter into the examination room.
Ten minutes later.
A doctor came out and took off his mask. "We've checked her temperature, monitored her heart rate, and drawn blood, but..."
He handed Emily a lab report.
When she saw the alarmingly high level on it, her legs weakened, and she nearly collapsed into the chair.
“Her white blood cell count is extremely high. Acute tonsillitis caused the high fever. Combined with exposure to cold and a child’s weaker resistance, it led to the sudden spike in temperature.”
The doctor quickly completed the admission process and said seriously, “It’s fortunate you brought her in on time. If you had been any later, it could have developed into pneumonia."
"She's at 39.5 degrees—will she be okay?" Emily asked anxiously.
The doctor reassured her. "We've given her fever-reducing medication, and her temperature is gradually coming down. Don't worry. She just needs to stay for observation a few days. Next, we’ll proceed with IV antibiotics and rest. The family will need to assist with her care.”
Emily let out a small breath of relief. "As long as she's okay... as long as she's okay..."
It was her fault for not taking better care of Eleanor...
As the doctor went back in, her tears finally fell.
Over the years, no matter what happened, she'd gritted her teeth and endured it—she had never even teared up.
But with her daughter, all her toughness fell apart.
Andrew felt bad for her and patted her shoulder. "Wipe those tears. She's okay now. This time it was Dad's fault for being careless—that's why Eleanor..."
Emily sniffed and tried to calm down. "It's okay, Dad. Not your fault. I always strictly limited her sugar and ice cream before. Suddenly having some, yeah, she couldn't handle it. I didn't tell you guys properly. I got busy with work and overlooked it."
Through the glass window, she looked at the tiny figure on the bed, her heart aching.
"Eleanor, be good. Mommy's here with you... When the fever's gone, Mommy will take you for your favorite strawberry cake, okay?"
Andrew stood nearby, watching his daughter like this, his eyes turning red too. "Emmie, don't worry. She'll be fine. Her fever probably won't break till early morning. I'll get someone to buy food. You've had a long day—eat something."
Emily shook her head. "No need, Dad. You go home first. Don't you have to go to the company tomorrow? I'll stay with Eleanor."
Andrew sighed. "How can I leave you like this? I'll get a room set up right now. Once she's out of observation, you can move over."
Then he called the housekeeper to send over bedding, fresh flowers, and a fruit plate.
All Eleanor's favorites.
While Andrew got people busy, Emily slowly sat down in the hospital corridor.
Her eyes casually glanced down the hall.
There stood a familiar figure.
Alex leaned against the wall, holding an unlit cigarette, his gaze heavy on her, full of complicated feelings.
Their eyes met, and Emily froze.
She hadn't expected... him to follow.
For some reason, her eyes stung bad.
No one knew how she'd gotten through these two years.
Watching over this little one day and night, always scared something would go wrong.
And when she saw the man's deep, clear eyes, all her emotions almost burst out!
Emily started to stand straight, but suddenly a warm, strong hand gently gripped her wrist.
The next second, a faint smell of tobacco and cool wood wrapped around her.
Alex didn't say anything. He just pulled her into his arms—gently, but firm. "Don't be scared. The kid will be fine."
Even though it was her and Matthew's child.
A feeling swirled in Alex's eyes that even he didn't understand, and his hold on her tightened.
Emily froze in place, mind blank, forgetting to breathe.
His steady heartbeat came through clearly, messing up her thoughts.
She instinctively tried to push him away, but Alex lowered his head, his chin resting on her hair. His low, rough voice was gentler than ever. "The kid's okay. Don't push yourself so hard."
He'd seen her tears earlier. This woman, usually distant and cold, now seemed fragile, like she'd break at a touch.
Alex pressed his lips together, then loosened his hold a bit and wiped the tears from her eye corner. "He's not here, right?"
His fingertip was cool as it lifted her pale chin.
The distance between them closed.
Emily's pupils shrank sharply, and she suddenly came back to her senses, pushing him away forcefully.
"Alex! What are you doing!" Her voice was low, her eyes filled with anger and embarrassment.
Alex's fingertip still held the warmth of her skin. His gaze was deep—he gave no explanation, only watched her quietly.
That look was heavy and intense, as if it wanted to pull her in completely.