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.

said sternly, “Back to your room,

tamely despite his reluctance—he must

“I have to go, Mommy. But I’m

she saw his yearning look, and she nodded. “Okay.”

him properly that she was not his mommy when

name is Richard Levine, but everyone calls me

walked over to the man, who must be over six feet

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

actually felt comfortable with the

got out of bed

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

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

to leave the washroom, Cordy stepped out and found that Richard’s

startled, and the man watched as her face

look that scary?” he asked with

“I just didn’t

was just feeling fortunate that he was aloof—his

slightly. “The name’s

the chase—as the owner of the venue, he certainly had a responsibility for 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 damages for labor injury, emotional distress, as well as the cancellation of your

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

just then, whereas Cordy’s

she had trouble moving around. He asked, “Would

“No… Oh!”

finished when her crutches suddenly

was about to fall, John darted forward and caught