After the private doctor listened to what Stella had said, he replied, “Mrs. Conrad, Mr. Conrad’s
condition is exacerbated by the infection of his injuries which worsened his cold. Rest assured that he’ll
be fine once we get the infection under control.”
Stella frowned and asked, “Are you certain that he doesn’t need to go to the hospital?”
“No, no. There is no need to. But he needs to take the medicine as directed.” The doctor replied.
“He took the medicine yesterday afternoon and at night,” Stella answered.
The doctor exclaimed and said, “That’s strange. He should be getting better by right.”
He continued after a pause, “Mrs. Conrad, did you change his bandages this morning?”
“Er… not yet.” Mrs. Conrad replied guiltily.
“Then can you kindly change his bandages and then give him another dose of the medicine? If he
doesn’t get better in a couple of hours, I’ll make a trip over.” The doctor said.
Stella heaved a sigh and replied, “Okay, I’ll do that.”
Stella ended the call and left to cook some porridge when it did not appear that Clarence was about to
wake up.
She filled the pot with water and left it on the stove before going over to the washing machine to do
some laundry. Thereafter, she tidied the living hall and when she was emptying the trash, she noticed
some pills inside the trash can.
Stella squatted next to the trash can and then carefully picked up the pills inside the trash can. Then
she went to compare them with the medicine that the doctor prescribed for Clarence.
True enough, they were identical. Stella frowned immediately and tightly clenched her fists.
…
In fact, Clarence was already awake when Stella called the doctor. He laid on the bed with his eyes
wide open before shutting them when he heard the door opening.
Stella brought the medical box and sat beside the bed. She took out a pair of small scissors and began
to cut the bandage on his arm. She was very precise and gentle in reapplying the ointment onto his
wounds.
Suddenly, Clarence grunted in pain.
Stella asked softly, “You’re awake?”
Clarence opened his eyes, looked at her, and asked, “What are you doing?”
“Changing your bandage and reapplying the ointment.” Stella relaxed the tension on the bandage and
continued, “Look at how badly your wound is infected. I’ll try a more aggressive means of treatment.”
Clarence pursed his lips and asked, “What good will it do?”
“Aren’t you awake? Since you had already given up hope on your arm, let’s do some experiment with
it.”
Clarence was speechless.
Stella looked at the wound and it was not bleeding. She continued to bandage the wound and then left
when it was done.
Clarence slowly sat up on the bed and started to rub his temples. A moment later, Stella returned with a
bowl of porridge, placed it on the bedside table, and then left.
Clarence waited for several seconds. When he did not hear the outside door being opened and shut,
he picked up the tray with the bowl and left the room for the dining room.
He saw Stella eating at the dining table. Clarence placed the tray on the table and sat opposite her and
asked, “Why didn’t you go back?”
Stella replied without raising her head, “Thanks to you, now I have a cold.”
Clarence frowned slightly and grinned. He picked up the spoon and scooped some porridge and said,
“Have you gone to the doctor?”
“Yes.” She replied.
“What did the doctor say?” He asked.
“The doctor asked me to prepare to die if I don’t take my medicine.” Stella snapped.
Clarence was speechless. He then looked towards the trash can and frowned. She had discovered
what he had done.
Stella continued to eat while Clarence kept his silence.
They continued to eat quietly without speaking a word. After the meal, Stella washed her dishes and
went to the sofa to take her medicine. Likewise, Clarence sat beside her with a glass of water and
picked up his medicine from the coffee table. Stella glared at him for mimicking her actions.
Clarence obediently took the medicine and placed them in his mouth and washed them down with a
glass of water. After that, Clarence turned towards her and asked, “Why are you looking at me?”
Stella sighed and then looked away and took her medicine.
The rain was gradually becoming heavier and it was gloomy outside. It was an excellent day to sleep at
home. The medicine caused drowsiness and soon Stella fell asleep on the sofa.
Clarence grinned when he saw this and walked over to Stella. He knelt beside her and then called
softly, “Stella.”
There was no reply.
Clarence gently pinched her nose and she reflexively frowned and swatted his hand but remained
asleep. It looked like she was truly asleep.
Clarence stood up, picked her up in his arms, and positioned her onto the bed. She was in deep sleep
due to the cold medicine and did not wake up in the process.
Clarence covered her with the blanket, laid beside her, and gently embraced her.
Stella habitually grabbed his waist and then snuggled in his embrace and continued to sleep soundly.
Clarence gave her a peck on her forehead and closed his eyes.
…
When Stella woke up, the entire house was pitch black. She was in a daze and did not want to get out
of bed. She stretched herself and reached for her cellphone to check the time but instead of her phone,
she felt a nose and the lips of a man.
Stella was speechless. She paused for a couple of seconds before reaching to feel his forehead.
Good, it seemed that his fever had subsided.
Stella could see through the window that it was already night and it appeared that it was late in the
night. She quickly sat up and wondered what the situation was next door.
As soon as she sat up on the bed, she was quickly pulled back onto the bed.
Clarence said with a raspy voice, “Sleep a while longer.”
“Sleep? It’s already dark. You can sleep all you want.” She pushed aside his hand and ran outside.
Stella and Madison practically opened the door at the same time.
Madison said, “Hey, your brother’s here. I’ll leave now.”
Stella nodded, “Be careful on the roads, it’s still raining.”
Madison waved, “No worries, my husband’s here to pick me up.”
Stella was speechless.
The lift arrived and Madison said, “Goodbye.”
After taking a few steps, she turned around and said, “Oh yes, since you still have a cold, you should
not go back tonight. Otherwise, your son would be looking for you. Why don’t you stay here tonight?”
Stella felt a splitting headache and said, “Go ahead now.”
After Madison left, Stella went to the apartment next door and called out, “Chan.”
Channing looked around and asked, “How is your cold?”
“It’s getting better… a little.” She mumbled.
The kid saw Stella and wanted to crawl over as he called out, “Mommy…”
As he tried to crawl over to Stella, Channing carried him up and said to Stella, “I’ll be here this
weekend. Come back after you recover from your cold.”
Stella frowned and then sighed, “Hold onto him. I’ll get some clothes from my room.”
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