A Life Debt Repaid

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.

the man said sternly, “Back to

reluctance—he must have been properly disciplined back home.

Timmy turned toward Cordy and said, “I have to go, Mommy. But I’m just next door,

she saw his yearning look, and

that she

Richard Levine, but everyone calls me Dicky. You should too,

reluctantly walked over to the man, who must be over

height difference made Richard appear cuter, even perfect,

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

she did not enjoy talking much, and she actually felt comfortable with the man’s distant reaction toward a stranger.

got out of bed

was inconvenient since her right foot was plastered, she stubbornly leaned on her crutches to reach the floor. It seemed to have grown into a habit, but she was used to being alone—even

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

after it took her considerable effort to leave the washroom, Cordy stepped out

man watched as her face turned

that scary?” he asked with his deep, magnetic

just didn’t expect

he was aloof—his abrupt visit left her

in her eyes, the man pursed his lips ever so slightly. “The

the chase—as the owner of the venue,

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 may also seek damages for labor injury, emotional distress, as well as the cancellation of

flatly. “Just covering my medical fees would

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

had trouble moving around. He asked, “Would you

“No… Oh!”

barely finished when her crutches suddenly

darted forward and caught her squarely