A Life Debt Repaid

Cordy turned toward the voice to find a boy who looked around five years old standing at the door of her ward. He was dressed in a patient’s garb like her, and his little face was so beautiful one could not take their eyes off him.

At the same time, Cordy’s heart skipped a beat. She felt as if she was tugged somewhere in her body, but she could not quite describe it.

The boy then ran up to her bed and climbed up to it on his little feet without a pause, snuggling up to her and hugging her with his soft, little body. “Were you bullied, Mommy?”

He then released her and carefully wiped her tears with his stubby hands.

Cordy realized then that her tears were leaking from sheer frustration, and her heart almost melted from the boy’s comfort.

Even so, she was still positive that she did not know him.

Smiling and tousling the boy’s smooth curly hair, she spoke with unexpected mildness. “You have the wrong person, kid.”

“No, you’re my mommy. Daddy and I will protect you from now on.” The boy spoke with confidence and excitement. “Daddy has a bad temper, always pulls a long face, doesn’t like to talk, comes home late, gets stomach aches because he doesn’t eat on time, and smokes… but he’s rich and handsome. Please don’t leave us ever again, Mommy.”

Cordy was left speechless and smiling helplessly. “You’re adorable—but I’m not your mommy.”

“Dicky.”

A cold yet alluring voice spoke from the door just then.

The boy flinched and turned his little head in that direction, with Cordy following suit.

A man stood at the doorway, his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and he carried the air of indescribable abstinence.

His facial features seemed sculpted to perfection and his visage projected wit and composure. He stood towering and upright with a noble but nonchalant air.

None of the rich and important men she met held a candle to those bewitching looks!

“Daddy!” Timmy greeted him primly and properly.

Even as Cordy turned toward Timmy again, she realized the reason why the boy was so good looking.

“Back to your room, now.”

reluctance—he must have been properly disciplined

to go, Mommy. But I’m just

him once she saw his yearning

also explain to him properly that she

name is Richard Levine, but everyone calls me Dicky.

reluctantly walked over to the man, who must be

appear cuter, even perfect, as the

left, he did not glance his way. However, despite that stiff and aloof

enjoy talking much, and she actually felt

of bed then.

plastered, she stubbornly leaned on her crutches to reach the floor. It seemed to have grown into a habit, but she was used

was like this, allowing her to persevere despite the prospect of facing troubled times

effort to leave the washroom, Cordy stepped out and found

the man watched as her face turned pale.

look that scary?” he asked with his deep, magnetic

head. “I just didn’t expect someone else here.”

feeling fortunate that he was

ever so slightly. “The

a start as John cut to the chase—as the owner of the venue, he

a fracture in my premises,” John continued then, his tone as businesslike as it was solemn. “I hence offer to cover for all your expenditure while you’re staying here in this hospital, and that includes the fees for treatment, hospitality, rehabilitation, and the like. You

flatly. “Just covering my medical

her a little weirdly just then, whereas Cordy’s feet were getting numb from standing

sensed that she had trouble moving around. He asked, “Would you like my help?”

“No… Oh!”

barely finished when her crutches

as she was about to fall, John darted forward and caught