Although another guard was trying to resuscitate Shaun, the young boy showed no response.
“What’s the matter?” I exclaimed in worry.
Even the guard’s shirt was drenched with water. “When we hurried over, we saw him pulling Ms. Audrey out of the pool. He must have choked on the water while he tried to rescue her!” the guard replied as he continued to pump Shaun’s chest.
Even after the guard completed the first-aid measure, Shaun remained unconscious. In haste, the guard carried him into the house. “Move aside! Contact Dr. Evans right now!” he yelled as he ran.
Since Dr. Evans was the Featherstones’ private doctor, he lived in the neighboring villa. After a quick phone call, he arrived in just two minutes.
The sudden incident threw the Featherstone residence into a state of utter chaos. Worried about Shaun’s wellbeing, Yuna and James trailed after the guard’s heels.
Although Anthony was keeping Audrey company, I decided to pay her a visit and calm her emotions.
As expected, I heard Audrey’s sobs the moment I made my way upstairs.
After all, she’s still a young child. She wouldn’t be able to control her emotions after such a huge fright.
When I entered the bedroom, Audrey was huddled in Anthony’s arms. Furthermore, there were tears and snot streaked across her entire face.
“Mommy, I want a hug,” Audrey whined when I arrived at the foot of the bed.
I quickly hugged her and patted her back to calm her down. “It’s all right. Daddy and I are here now. There’s nothing to be afraid of,” I murmured to console her.
After a long moment, Audrey’s sobs finally subsided.
Promptly, I noticed that Audrey was still clothed in her wet garments. Afraid that she might catch a cold, I ushered Anthony out and helped her into a new outfit.
“Mommy, how is Shaun?” Audrey asked when I brushed her hair.
It took me a moment before I realized she was asking about Shaun.
“Do you like Shaun?” I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. I urged Audrey to turn around and face me before I continued, “Audrey, tell me the truth. How did you fall into the swimming pool? Didn’t Uncle John teach you how to swim?”
“Yes.” Audrey nodded with a look of innocence.
“Then how did you drown?”
Audrey pursed her lips as she looked at me pitifully. “Shaun didn’t know how to swim. Although I wanted to teach him, he refused to go into the pool. Hence, I decided to swim alone.” Audrey lowered her head in guilt. “But I swam too far from the edge. In the end, I didn’t have the energy to swim back to shore.”
“So Shaun leaped into the pool to save you even though he didn’t know how to swim. If the guards hadn’t arrived on time, the two of you might have drowned. Audrey, do you know what you’ve done?” Although I didn’t want to reprimand her. The situation at hand was too severe for me to brush it off. I needed to be strict enough so Audrey could understand the consequences of her actions.
However, Shaun’s bravery caught me by surprise. In an attempt to save Audrey, he didn’t even think twice about his own life.
When I chastised her, Audrey hung her head even lower. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I won’t do something like that again…”
Toward the end of her sentence, Audrey sounded like she was on the verge of tears again.
Usually, Audrey had a bright and cheerful temperament. She rarely cried or sulked. Judging from the guilty look on her face, I’m sure this incident will serve as a lasting reminder.
“All right, it’s good that you learned your mistake. However, don’t forget that Shaun was the one who saved you. What should you do?” I asked her.
“I will pay Shaun a visit to thank him. I won’t forget to apologize too,” Audrey replied earnestly.
I nodded in agreement before helping her tidy up her appearance.
When we walked out of the room, Anthony was waiting right outside. With a single glance, he could tell where we were going. He quickly carried Audrey in his arms and led the way.
Outside Shaun’s room, Yuna and James were pacing back and forth anxiously. When we arrived, they tagged along and followed us in.
“Mr. Featherstone, Mrs. Featherstone,” Dr. Evans greeted us politely. He was in the midst of gathering his medical equipment.
Anthony merely nodded his head before he asked, “How is he?”
“He’s out of danger now. However, he still needs to avoid any strenuous movement as the lack of oxygen has weakened his body. It’d be best if he has a good rest.”
“Doesn’t this mean that he cannot travel today?” Unbeknownst to us, John had entered the room. With his hands in his pockets, John leaned against the doorframe and said darkly, “This accident doesn’t seem like a coincidence.”
When Audrey first brought Shaun back from the orphanage, John was displeased with the boy’s sudden arrival. Right now, it seemed like John was deliberately picking on Shaun.
Although Shaun had saved Audrey’s life, I couldn’t help but agree with John’s suspicions.
In comparison to Summer and Gregory, Audrey had always been more playful and lively. However, she still knew how to control herself in the right situations. Knowing Audrey’s character, this drowning accident did not sit right with me.
When John said that, a tense atmosphere filled the room. No one tried to refute his statement too.
After a few moments, Dr. Evans was the first to break this awkward silence.
“Although he’s in a stable condition, he’s displaying some symptoms of malnutrition. During this period of rest, it’d be best if you could be more mindful of his diet. If not, it might have devastating consequences when he’s older,” Dr. Evans instructed.
“We will keep that in mind. Thank you so much, Dr. Evans,” I said gratefully.
“Mrs. Featherstone, please don’t thank me. I was merely fulfilling my duty as a doctor. If there isn’t anything else, will it be all right if I take my leave?”
“Sure,” Anthony replied nonchalantly.
After Anthony dismissed him, Dr. Evans and the nurse left the room.
In the wake of the doctor’s departure, Yuna, James, and Shaun were the only outsiders left in the Featherstone residence.
Clearly, John’s pointed remark had affected Yuna and James. Their delight upon hearing that Shaun was fine had morphed into one of worry and pain. Before we could say anything, Yuna stepped forward. “Mr. Featherstone, Mrs. Featherstone, since Shaun is in such a weak state, it wouldn’t be wise for him to go embark on a long journey. Why don’t we bring him home another day?”
Judging from the look of worry scrawled all over Yuna’s face, she must be feeling sympathetic toward Shaun. As a woman myself, I could empathize with her feelings.
Shaun’s adoption was something Anthony and I agreed on. Hence, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt to delay it for a week. This way, we can repay our gratitude to Shaun for saving Audrey’s life.
Before I could reply, I heard Anthony’s husky voice echo behind me. “Can you stand it?”
Immediately, I whirled around and noticed Anthony looking at Shaun. Clearly, Anthony was telling Shaun that his adoption would proceed no matter what.
Even when talking to a young child, Anthony remained as headstrong as ever. How is he so bold? If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t even know where to start. Maybe that’s why we are so compatible together. After all, opposites attract. There are some things that we just can’t do alone.
Promptly, silence descended over the room. We were all stunned by Anthony’s coldness toward Shaun. At the same time, everyone was waiting for Shaun’s reply. As everyone waited with bated breath, the room was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
We had kept Audrey in the dark about Shaun’s adoption. Hence, she assumed that Anthony was merely asking Shaun if he was strong enough. “Shaun, Daddy is asking if you can stand up and play with me! Quick, stand up! I’ll cheer you on.” Audrey clapped her hands excitedly to encourage him.
The stark contrast between Audrey’s cheerful demeanor and our solemn expressions was glaring. Despite that, everyone remained silent as they did not reveal the harsh truth.
Anthony’s gaze was devoid of any pity. In fact, it was as cold as ice. Wordlessly, he stared at Shaun as a menacing aura began to emanate from his tall figure.
After Shaun locked gazes with Anthony for several moments, he seemed to admit defeat. Quickly, he yanked the blanket away and clambered out of bed.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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