Chapter 26 #2
"How?" she asked urgently.
"Get some towels from the bathroom, soak them in warm water," I said. "I'll get ice packs."
She immediately rushed to the bathroom. I strode to the medical storage room at the end of the corridor—every floor had one for emergencies. I grabbed several ice packs and medical supplies, then returned.
Olivia was back with wet towels, carefully wiping Leo's forehead and neck. The little boy moaned in his fever, constantly twisting.
"Mommy..." he murmured deliriously.
"Mommy's here, baby," Olivia choked out. "Mommy's right here."
I wrapped the ice packs in towels and placed them on Leo's forehead. He frowned but didn't wake.
"Like this," I said. "Keep this up until the doctor arrives."
Olivia knelt by the bed, one hand holding Leo's small hand, the other constantly adjusting the towels and ice packs. Tears streamed down her face, but she tried not to make a sound, afraid of waking Leo.
I stood behind her, hand on her shoulder. "He's going to be okay," I said softly. "It's just a regular fever. Probably a stress response from today's scare."
"I shouldn't have brought him back," she said, voice full of self-blame. "I should have stayed in France. At least there he was safe. At least he wouldn't go through this."
"This isn't your fault," I said.
"It is," she turned to look at me, eyes full of pain. "I brought him to this dangerous place. I exposed him to gunfire. He's only five, Ezio. He's only five."
She finally broke down, sobbing loudly. I crouched down and pulled her into my arms.
"Listen to me," I whispered in her ear. "Leo's going to be fine. I promise. And from now on, he'll be the safest child in this city. No one will hurt him again."
"How can you promise?" she said against my chest. "How can you guarantee they won't come back?"
"Because I'll make them understand," my voice turned cold. "Anyone who tries to hurt you will pay the price."
She looked up at me, tears still in her eyes, but also a glimmer of hope. "Can you really do that?"
"I can," I said. "Trust me."
Just then, the doorbell rang. Klause had arrived.
"I'll get him," I said. "Stay here with Leo."
I hurried downstairs and opened the door. Klause stood there with his medical bag, hair slightly disheveled but eyes clear and focused.
"Where's the child?" he asked.
"Second floor," I said. "Follow me."
We went upstairs and returned to the room. Klause immediately went to the small bed and began examining Leo. He took out a stethoscope, thermometer, his movements skilled and gentle.
"101.4 degrees Fahrenheit," he checked the thermometer. "It is a bit high. But don't worry too much—fevers over 101 are actually quite common in children."
"Then why is he burning up so badly?" Olivia asked urgently.
"From what you've described, it's likely a stress response," Klause said. "Going through something like that today is a huge psychological trauma for a five-year-old. The body releases stress through fever."
He took some medication from his medical bag. "I'll give him a fever-reducing injection, then prescribe some medicine. Keep up the physical cooling, plenty of fluids. He should break the fever by tomorrow."
"Will there be any lasting effects?" Olivia asked, voice still trembling.
"No," Klause said gently. "He just needs good rest. So do you, Miss Adrian. You look like you need rest more than he does."
After giving the injection, Klause gave some more instructions, then left.
The room was just the three of us again. Leo's temperature began to slowly drop, his breathing more stable.
Olivia sat by the bed, unwilling to leave for even a moment. Her eyes were red and swollen, face pale, looking like she might collapse any second.
"You need rest," I said.
"I can't," she said. "What if his fever comes back—"
"Then I'll watch him," I said. "You go lie down. If anything happens, I'll call you immediately."
She hesitated, looking at Leo, then at me.
"Trust me," I said. "I won't let anything happen."
Finally, she nodded. She was too exhausted to keep going. She walked to the large bed and practically collapsed onto it.
I pulled over a chair and sat by Leo's small bed. The little boy was still sleeping, but his face looked better, no longer so flushed.
Looking at his reddened face, an inexplicable emotion stirred in me. This emotion made me willing to use everything to protect him.
Behind me came even breathing. Olivia had fallen asleep. I turned to look at her, curled up on the bed, brow still furrowed, unable to completely relax even in sleep.
That night, I didn't close my eyes once. I stayed by Leo's bed, checking his temperature every ten minutes, ensuring his condition remained stable.
As dawn approached, Leo's fever broke completely. He slept peacefully, small hands releasing the blanket, his face returning to a healthy flush.
I let out a long breath, pinched the bridge of my nose. Some of the weight on my shoulders had finally lifted.
When Olivia woke, sunlight was already streaming through the curtain gaps. She sat up in panic, first looking at Leo's bed.
"The fever broke," I said. "Around five this morning."
She immediately rushed over, placing her hand on Leo's forehead. After confirming his temperature was normal, tears welled in her eyes.
"He's really better," she turned to look at me, voice choked. "Thank you, Ezio. Thank you for staying up all night."
"I told you I'd protect you both," I winked at Olivia, feigning lightness.
She looked at me, eyes full of complex emotions. Then she suddenly walked over and hugged me.
This embrace was full of gratitude, trust, and something indefinable. I wrapped my arms around her, feeling her warmth and trembling.
"Ezio," she said softly against my chest. "Thank you."
Outside, morning light was driving away the darkness.
I held Olivia tightly, my chest filled with a gentle emotion. I lowered my head and kissed the top of her head softly.
Leo recovered completely the next day. Even better news—Olivia had started to depend on me. When she had any problem, she'd come to me first. When she worried, I was by her side. When she needed help, I was always ready.
And the relationship between us was quietly changing too.
Breakfast was no longer silent confrontation but exchanging everyday conversation.
Walking in the garden, we'd stroll side by side, occasionally our arms brushing lightly.
After dinner, she'd proactively bring coffee to my study, then sit in the chair across from me for a while, talking about Leo, about the weather, about trivial things.
These were small changes, but cumulatively, they were significant.
Thinking of this, the corners of my mouth involuntarily curved up.
Alright, Ezio, don't get cocky. Carlo's still waiting for your response.
I forced myself to focus on the documents before me, but soon I heard quick footsteps in the corridor. Then a knock.
"Come in," I said.
The door opened, and Juliet poked her head in, her small face full of anxiety.
"Dad! Come quick!" her voice trembled slightly.
I immediately stood, alertly asking, "What's wrong?"
"It's Leo," Juliet said, eyes not quite meeting mine. "He fell in the playroom and keeps crying, says his hand hurts. Vivi told me to get you."
My heart tightened. I immediately walked around the desk. "Is it serious? Which hand?"
"Um..." Juliet paused. "Left hand? No, right hand..."
"Juliet," I crouched down, looking into her eyes. "What's really going on?"
"Just... just fell," her voice got smaller and smaller, fingers twisting her skirt hem. "From a chair."
I looked at her obviously guilty expression, suspicion rising, but Leo's safety was more important. "Take me there."
"O-okay," Juliet immediately turned, her steps hurried.
I followed her quickly out of the study, along the corridor toward the playroom. Juliet walked ahead, occasionally stealing glances back at me, quickly looking away each time our eyes met.
We reached the playroom door. Juliet's hand was on the doorknob when she suddenly turned back and grinned at me.
"Surprise!"
As she spoke, she cheerfully pushed open the door.
But the scene inside stopped me cold.
There was no crying Leo in the playroom, no panicked Olivia.
Instead, the room was hung with colorful balloons and streamers, a delicate chocolate cake on the table with candles on top. Olivia stood by the cake, wearing a simple white dress, a smile on her face. Leo stood beside her, small hands hidden behind his back, face full of excitement.
"Happy birthday!" the three of them shouted in unison.
I froze completely, standing in the doorway, mind blank.
"Dad, you got tricked!" Juliet sighed in relief beside me, finally showing a genuine smile. "Leo didn't fall—this was our plan!"
"I was so nervous," she muttered quietly. "Almost gave it away."
Leo pulled out a folded piece of drawing paper from behind his back and ran over to hand it to me. "Ezio, Juliet and I drew this together!"
I took the drawing and slowly unfolded it. The picture showed four wobbly stick figures—a tall man, a woman, and two children. They were holding hands, standing in front of a big house. Written in crayon: "Happy Birthday, Dad/Ezio!"
My throat suddenly felt tight.
"We made cake too!" Leo pulled my hand, dragging me toward the table. "Vivi helped us make it—it's chocolate!"
I looked up at Olivia. She walked over, eyes holding a gentle light.
"Happy birthday, Ezio," she said softly.
That's when I realized—today was November 15th. My birthday.
"I..." my voice was hoarse. "I forgot."
"We know," Olivia said, a smile playing at her lips. "Juliet said you never celebrate your birthday. But we thought this year should be different."
"Yeah!" Juliet pulled my hand. "Because this year we have Vivi and Leo! We're a family!"
I looked at them—these three people, these three smiling faces. My two precious kids, and the woman I loved.
"Come on," Olivia said. "Let's light the candles. The kids can't wait anymore."