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

but nodded tamely despite his 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, so could you visit me later?”

refuse him once she saw his yearning look, and

she was not his mommy when

everyone calls me Dicky. You should

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

appear cuter, even

despite that stiff and aloof demeanor, Cordy somehow did not find him rude… perhaps that

talking much, and she actually felt comfortable with the man’s distant

out of bed

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.

to leave the washroom, Cordy stepped out

and the man watched as her face

asked with

“I just

feeling fortunate that he was aloof—his abrupt visit left her slightly

lips ever so slightly. “The name’s John Levine. The venue where you held your wedding

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

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

covering my medical fees

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

moving around. He asked, “Would you like

“No… Oh!”

when her crutches

fall, John darted forward