Blanche put her phone away and went to fetch some clothes for Terrell,
After both of them had taken their showers, Blanche read Terrell a bedtime story, soothing him to sleep before returning to her own room.
She found Fernando standing outside her door, holding a glass of milk. His hand hovered in the air as if he couldn’t decide whether to knock, lost in thought.
Blanche smiled as she approached. “Hey, Fernando. Did you need something?”
He turned at the sound of her voice. Blanche wore a simple white nightgown, a cardigan draped over her shoulders. Her long, wavy hair was swept into a loose bun on top of her head, a couple of strands falling softly against her pale neck.
Fernando’s gaze lingered for just a moment before he looked away. “I was worried you might not be comfortable here.”
He offered her the glass of milk.
“I’m fine, really,” Blanche replied, accepting it. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll get some sleep.”
“Alright.”
Fernando watched as Blanche stepped into her room and closed the door behind
her.
He wanted so badly to ask why she hadn’t chosen him–why she’d picked Ablett instead. But now, with her right there, the words refused to come out. He was afraid that if he asked, it would shatter their friendship. Still, he couldn’t help thinking he wasn’t inferior to Ablett in any way.
Blanche didn’t have the habit of drinking milk before bed. She set the glass on her nightstand and lay in bed, restless, missing Mamie.
Just then, her phone chimed–a message from the Director–General’s account, the profile picture a plain white/icon. He’d sent her a photo of Mamie, fast asleep.
Instantly, Blanche felt a surge of warmth. She sent a voice message b · “Thank you for looking after Mamie, Director–General.”
Ablett tucked Mamie in and quietly left the nursery.
Their nanny was waiting outside the door. “Director,” she said gently, noticing the exhaustion etched on his face, “you should let me handle putting Mamie to bed.”
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“It’s alright,” Ablett replied, his tone mild. “I want to spend some time with her.”
“You’re a wonderful man, Director. You treat Mamie as your own–Blanche would be touched to see it,” the nanny said, smiling before stepping into the nursery.
Ablett paused at those words, staring at the chat window on his phone. Hel remembered Terrell’s voice, and his eyes grew shadowed. With a few swift taps, he replied: Mamie is my child, too.
Lying in bed, Blanche saw Ablett’s message and felt quietly moved.
The next morning, Fernando returned from his run and made breakfast for everyone. After they finished eating, he drove Blanche and Caleb to work, promising to pick them up for lunch.
As Fernando drove away with Terrell, Caleb muttered, “Blanche, why didn’t you ever choose the professor?”
“I mean, he’s such a great guy–charming, open, easy to talk to. He can cook, he’s wonderful with kids, and he’s a top scientist. He’s basically the perfect man.”
“Director–General is good too–better looking, and he treats you and Mamie well. But he’s so cold and serious. Honestly, he kind of intimidates me. The only time I’ve ever seen him smile was when he was holding Mamie,” Caleb said, analyzing
the situation.
But despite Caleb’s reasoning, Blanche still felt that Ablett was the right choice for
her.
With Ablett, she felt no pressure. Their arrangement was simple: they both got what they needed. He was as dedicated to his work as she was, and even though caring for Mamie wasn’t his responsibility, he did it anyway, and he did it well. He gave her a sense of security–because of him, she could focus on her job without worry.
Fernando, on the other hand, always seemed to be rushing her forward, making her feel pushed and unsettled.
She wasn’t interested in romance. What she wanted was to accomplish something in her own right and take good care of Mamie.
“Let’s get to work,” Blanche said, pulling Caleb through the door. The immersed themselves in the day’s tasks.
Eddy woke to find daylight streaming through the window.
ickly
Blanche was sitting at his bedside, gently massaging the back of his hand, where
the IV had left its mark. “Does it hurt?” she asked softly.
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Chapter 199
He longed to reach out and pull her into his arms, but after countless tries–each one ending in failure–he gave up. He knew she was just a figment of his longing, a hallucination conjured by his loneliness. The doctor had prescribed medication for it, but he couldn’t bear to take it–he didn’t want her to leave, even if she wasn’t real, “Sir, the Novandria security team has arrived,” his chief bodyguard reported.
Exhausted, Eddy clung to the last shreds of his sanity. “Have them secure every place my wife’s been seen–especially Mr. Jordan’s office.”
