Chapter 5 Wendy dragged her exhausted body through a full day of consultations.
It took all her strength just to make it through her shift.
After she grabbed a quick bite to eat, she returned to the dorm and collapsed into bed.
All the days fatigue was washed away in her sleep, so even when her phone vibrated in the evening, it didnt wake her.
… Back at the villa, James stared at the unanswered call, his face as dark as thunder.
Daddy, didnt you say wed pick up Auntie Jenna today? Ethan blinked his bright eyes at him, pleading, Auntie Jenna just called me and said she was going to sleep with me.
Even Jenna knew he was afraid to sleep alone, yet Wendy insisted on making him sleep by himself under the excuse of independence.
James pressed a hand to his aching stomach and said with a frown, Well talk about it tomorrow.
He went to the kitchen to talk to Zelda.
Zelda, bring me my stomach meds and some warm water.
Zelda quickly dropped what she was doing and brought over the medical kit, but after she searched for a while, she only found painkillers.
She explained, Mr.
Frank, ever since we cleared out the expired medication, we havent restocked stomach medicine.
Mrs.
Frank used to handle all your and Ethans meals, and your stomach issues havent flared up in a long time.
James expression stiffened, then quickly turned furious.
Why are you telling me all this? If theres no medicine, why cant you buy more? Zelda stood up and, before leaving, looked at Ethan with concern.
Ethan still needs to bathe tonight.
I might be a bit late getting back.
Its fine if he skips a bath for one night.
James clutched his stomach harder as the pain intensified.
After Zelda left, sweat beaded on his forehead from the pain.
He grabbed the painkillers and swallowed them.
Without Wendy, he didnt even realize that stomach pain was one of the few conditions where one shouldnt take painkillers.

So, even when the sharp cramps started, he had no idea hed made it worse.
Ethan was thrilled that he didnt have to bathe tonight, but when he saw James in pain, he asked worriedly, Daddy, does your tummy hurt a lot? He hopped off the couch and brought over a tub of ice cream.
Auntie Jenna said if it hurts, putting something cold on it helps.
Ice cream will definitely make you feel better! James curled up in agony, unable to hear a word he said.
He hadnt expected that missing just one day of Wendys cooking would send his body into such a spiral.
Ethan saw James trembling in pain and knowing Zelda had gone out to get medicine, he tried to cheer him on.
Hang in there, Daddy! Once Zeldas back, youll be able to take your medicine! The ice cream in his hands was starting to melt.
He hesitated before taking a lick.
It was sweet.
Ice cream was an irresistible temptation for a child.
Before long, hed eaten the entire big tub.
By the time Zelda returned, she found them both curled up on the couch.
As one was drenched in cold sweat from pain, the other was crying and calling for his mother.
Startled, she immediately called for an ambulance.
How had everything gone to hell in just an hour? No, that wasnt right.
Things had been falling apart ever since Wendy left.
Soon, the flashing lights of an ambulance carried the nearly unconscious pair to the hospital.
… Back at the dorm, Wendy awoke suddenly to the vibration of her phone.
She answered the call, still groggy.
The voice of the on-call doctor sounded urgent.
Dr.
Sanders, come to the ER right away.
Hearing such urgency, she assumed a patient with a serious condition had arrived.
Since Wendy was a doctor who stayed closest to the hospital, she quickly got dressed and rushed over.

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

In the ER, the father and son had stabilized under treatment and were transferred to separate rooms.
Wendy entered the duty room.
Whats the situation? The on-duty doctor, Yara Lennox, pointed to a room across the hallway.
Two cases of acute gastroenteritis.
She frowned.
Thats not anything serious, right? Its your husband and son.
Yara continued in surprise, Do you not stay in contact with your family while living in the dorms? Did you really not know they were brought to the hospital? Wendy thought she had misheard.
They… have gastroenteritis? Zelda, who brought them in, said one had stomach issues and took painkillers, and the child ate a whole tub of ice cream… Before Yara could finish, Wendy turned and headed for the pediatric ward.
She couldnt care less about James, but Ethan was the child she carried for ten months.
No matter how disappointed she was in him, her maternal instinct still caused her to worry.
On the hospital bed, Ethan looked pale, and his brows were furrowed.
Zelda was tending to him.
When she saw Wendy, she exclaimed in surprise, Mrs.
Frank, you came.
Wendy took the wet towel from her hand.
Allow me.
Ethan was drenched in sweat.
Wendy carefully wiped down his still trembling little body, her brows knitted tightly.
Zelda pleaded, Mrs.
Frank, please come back.
Without you at home, they have been eating outside, and now this happened… Her words stirred something in Wendy.
Then, she heard Ethan mumbling and leaned in.
Mommys here, Ethan.
Dont be afraid.

Auntie Jenna… My tummy hurts… Ethan weakly said.
Wendy froze, a self-mocking smile appearing on her face.
She had thought Ethan would need her most in moments of pain and vulnerability, but in reality, he had already pushed her out of his world.
Wendy silently finished wiping Ethan down, checked his temperature, and turned to Zelda.
Ill write you a meal plan.
Until Ethan recovers, please follow it exactly.
With a nod, Zelda cautiously asked, Mrs.
Frank, when will you come home? I wont.
After she dried her hands, Wendy made her way to the door before glancing back at her son, who looked a bit more comfortable.
If anything comes up, call me.
Zelda sighed.
Alright.
As Wendy shut the door and was about to leave, a cold and familiar voice came from behind.
How long are you going to keep this up? Ethan is sick, and you still wont come home? Turning around, she looked at James with a detached gaze.
Caring for him isnt my responsibility alone.
You cant even take care of him as his father.
What right do you have to criticize me? That one sentence left James momentarily speechless.
When had she ever spoken to him like this, especially when it was about Ethan? This is all because of your stubbornness.
His already pale face grew more sullen, revealing his haggard state.
If you can be this heartless, then dont ever come back! Wendy couldnt help but laugh.
Just sign the divorce papers, and your wish will come true.
You James gritted his teeth, but before he could finish, a cloying voice interrupted him.
Wendy, James is already this sick, and instead of feeling sorry for him as his wife, youre blaming him? He didnt want Ethan to be sick either.
Jenna walked up and supported James, looking at him with nothing but tender concern.