Chapter 706:
Lost in thought, Kallie was startled by the sound of Elma crying for her mother from behind the curtain separating the two beds. Kallie’s heart jumped in her chest. She reacted instantly and pulled back the curtain, about to approach Elma’s bedside.
Kallie stopped short. Jake was holding Elma, gently comforting her. He held Elma with such tenderness, as if she were something truly precious.
For a moment, Kallie was stunned. The sight brought back a flood of memories, of Jake holding their daughter, Sophie, in the exact same way.
As if feeling Kallie’s eyes on him, Jake looked over.
The room was dimly lit, and Kallie couldn’t quite read Jake’s expression. But she imagined it held a mixture of annoyance and indifference.
Kallie gripped the curtain tightly. “Her clothes are damp with sweat,” she said, her voice a bit sharper than she intended. “I was just about to change her. Since you’re here now, you can take care of it. It can’t be comfortable sleeping in wet clothes.” Jake nodded, ready to take action, but then hesitated. He glanced at Kallie, a troubled look on his face. “I… Would you mind lending a hand?” he mumbled.
Kallie was a bit surprised. “Shouldn’t you call a nurse? It might look a bit weird if I do it. Besides, shouldn’t you be keeping your distance from me?” Jake frowned at her words about keeping his distance, feeling a pang of frustration.
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Jake gently patted Elma’s back, hoping to soothe her. “Sorry to bother you. It’s just that Elma’s a bit shy and doesn’t like strangers touching her.”
Kallie realized he had a point. Plus, she had helped Elma change before, and she’d been looking after Elma all day.
Elma’s distress tugged at Kallie’s heartstrings.
Kallie stepped forward and gently lifted Elma from Jake’s arms. Jake watched Kallie’s gentle, practiced movements, a strange thought suddenly crossing his mind. His expression became unreadable. If only Kallie were Elma’s mother. The thought made Jake feel like he was losing his mind.
Kallie did her best to ignore Jake’s gaze, but his eyes were fixed on her with such intensity that it was hard to pretend she didn’t notice.
Once Elma was changed into clean clothes, Kallie turned to Jake and cleared her throat. “There,” she said. “Keep an eye on her tonight. She might get a fever.”
“Thank you,” Jake replied with a nod.
As Kallie turned to leave, she paused, unable to contain herself any longer. “Mr. Reeves, can we have a serious conversation?” She desperately wanted to discuss Cara with him, though she was still confused and upset by his sudden change of heart.
Kallie had thought it through. It was time to let go of the past and move on.
Jake agreed to have a talk with Kallie, and together they stepped outside.
The hospital was quiet at this hour, save for a few nurses on their nightly duties.
Kallie cast a glance at the surveillance camera at the far end of the hallway before she ushered Jake toward the stairwell.noveldrama
“Mr. Reeves,” Kallie began, her voice carrying a weight of seriousness. “Please have a serious talk with Miss Morgan once you’re back. Though it may be out of place for me to say this, the rift in your relationship with Miss Morgan is starting to affect my life. Elma doesn’t fall under my care. She’s your daughter, and it might not be my place, but I feel compelled to speak. She’s still so young, yet she finds herself in the midst of her parents’ disputes, absorbing sadness she doesn’t deserve.”
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