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.

sternly, “Back to your room,

his reluctance—he must have been

and said, “I have to go, Mommy. But I’m just next door, so could you visit me

once she saw his yearning look,

could also explain to him properly that she was not his mommy when she

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

walked over to the man, who must be over six feet tall from a

height difference made Richard appear cuter, even perfect, as the child stood beside him.

his way. However, despite that stiff and aloof demeanor, Cordy somehow did not find him rude… perhaps that was the privilege of

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

got out of

on her crutches to reach the floor. It seemed to have grown into a habit, but she was used to being alone—even if she had been dating Kyle for three years, she would never trouble

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

her considerable effort to leave the washroom, Cordy stepped out and

startled, and the man watched as

I look that scary?” he asked with

her head. “I just didn’t expect someone else

feeling fortunate that he was aloof—his abrupt visit left

slightly. “The name’s John Levine. The venue where you held your wedding happened to be mine, Ms. Sachs.”

with a start as John cut to the chase—as the owner of

the fire and suffered 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 may also seek

said flatly. “Just covering my medical fees would be enough.”

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

obviously sensed that she had trouble moving around.

“No… Oh!”

had barely finished when

just as she was about to fall, John darted forward