Chapter 147
Chapter 147
“Who gave you the guts to take such risks with your life, brat? Do you know what the consequences would've been if Artemis hadn't taken that stab for you?”
Zayron gritted his teeth and made nary a sound. Although a sharp pain was spreading across his bottom, he really didn't dare utter a single word of complaint.
“Speak up! Do you know what the consequences would've been?” Bailey roared, her voice raising several decibels.
Grimacing and on the verge of tears, Zayron turned to look at his mother. “If he hadn't taken that knife for me, it would've pierced my heart, and I would've died on the spot.”
After saying that, he distinctly sensed Bailey's body trembling violently. At the same time, her face drained of all color. He hastily flipped over and leaped to his feet before hugging her around the waist.
“I promise to never do it again. If there's a second time, you can break my leg. Bay, don't torment yourself anymore, okay? I was a brat, ignorant of the gravity of things, and risked my life. I deserve a beating for causing you to suffer a near-breakdown! I ought to be taught a lesson!”
As he spoke, he smacked himself across the face hard several times.
Bailey hurriedly reached out and stopped him from doing so. Hugging him, she slumped onto the couch.
In truth, she knew her son's intentions all too well.
If it weren't because he wanted me to pick up a scalpel again and repay the debt of gratitude I owe to Old Mr. Chivers so that I wouldn't have any regrets, he wouldn't have conspired with an outsider to force my hand.
“Remember one thing, Zayron. No one and nothing in this world is more important than you and Susan. Indeed, I want to repay the debt of gratitude I owe, but never at the risk of my children's safety. Do you understand me?”
Nestled in her arms, Zayron nodded fervently. “Yes, yes! I'll never do it again!”
Verily, he didn't dare do it again. He and Susan were her greatest weakness, so risking his life was tantamount to stabbing her in the heart. Therefore, he would never dare do such a thing anymore.
As Bailey held her son, her heart finally settled back into her chest.
It was because I was too worried that my emotions got the better of me, giving them an opportunity to slip through the cracks. Casting my mind back on it now, there were actually plenty of flaws. If I'd been calmer, I wouldn't have fallen for it.
Leaving his mother's embrace, Zayron flashed her a smile and said, “I'll go and cook something for you, Bailey. Wait for me, all right? You should eat something before you sleep.”
Bailey nodded. “Okay. Be careful that you don't set the kitchen on fire. I can't afford to pay the compensation.”
Words eluded Zayron. There, my mommy is back!
Bailey watched as her son left before taking out her phone from her pocket and turning it on.
At once, a series of notifications popped up, all indicating missed calls.
She swept her gaze over them all.
There were some calls from Veronique, Victoria, Edmund, and even Simon.
She chose to return Edmund's call first.
The moment the call connected, she asked bluntly, “Have you suppressed things over at the Chivers residence, Edmund?”
A brief moment of silence later, Edmund's rich baritone voice drifted out from the other end of the phone. “Yeah, things are fine here. Don't worry, for I'm here. Bay, I've heard about Zayron's kidnapping and that Artemis took a knife in his bid to save him. I even know that you took him to Justin's infirmary. How is he? Is his injury serious?”
“He's fine, and I've already operated on him. Although he suffered an injury to his heart, his life is not at risk. You made the right choice by not rushing over. Keep this matter a secret from the Luther and Chivers families for the time being. I'm worried they'll kick up a huge fuss after learning about it.”
Hearing that, Edmund breathed a sigh of relief. “You operated on him personally? That's good, then. I'm happy for you that you picked up the scalpel again. It's not because you can then operate on my grandfather, but because we're confidants.”
In response, Bailey chuckled.
At long last, she realized a truth—Edmund wasn't as ruthless as Artemis.
If it were Edmund, he would never do such a thing as the incident today no matter what, for he has a gentle personality. He'd never employ such a drastic method to force my hand.
“Thank you, Edmund. I'm fine now, so don't worry. When I've rested enough, I'll operate on Old Mr. Chivers in a few days.”
Edmund chuckled lowly. “Okay. Take good care of yourself. I'll keep news of Artemis' injury under wraps to prevent the Luther and Chivers families from learning about it.” This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.
“All right.”
After hanging up, Bailey returned Veronique and Victoria's calls. She didn't tell them everything that happened in the suburbs, merely saying that Zayron had been rescued but suffered some injuries, so he was currently at Justin's infirmary. On the whole, everything was fine.
Soon, night fell.
Bailey had slept for a few hours, so she felt much better.
After having dinner in the room, she ordered Zayron to sleep earlier before leaving the room.
In the ward, Bailey flipped open the covers on Artemis and checked his back meticulously.
It wasn't until she had ascertained that his wound hadn't opened up or bled excessively that she breathed a sigh of relief.
Truthfully, it was inappropriate for him to lie face down because it would put pressure on his heart. Unfortunately, he had an injury on his back, so he couldn't lie on his back either. That would be even worse.
After a moment's hesitation, she attempted to shift him on his side so that his chest wasn't supporting all his weight.
Unexpectedly, no sooner had she touched him than the man on the bed roused.
Opening his ebony and unfathomable eyes, he gazed at her quietly. His gaze radiated yearning, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.
Bailey gave a cough before urging in a hoarse voice, “Stay still. I'll turn you over to lie on your side for a while to ease the pressure on your heart.”
Artemis said nothing, allowing her free reign over him.
His gaze fell on her neck. Precisely speaking, it fixated on a spot below her collarbone.
That angle was simply perfect to steal a peek at her assets.
Bailey was perceptive with keen senses, so she instantly sensed a scorching gaze roving about her breasts.
“If you continue allowing your eyes to wander, I'm going to make things painful for you. You'd best not doubt my words as I won't be treating you like fragile glass.”
Artemis was promptly rendered speechless.
Treating me like fragile glass? Has she ever heard someone describing a man as such?
The corners of his mouth twitched, and he averted his gaze slightly.
Fine, I'll admit that I'm aroused. Now that I'm immobile, she'd likely castrate me if she were to learn that I'm harboring impure thoughts about her.
“I...”
He was just about to speak when he realized that his throat was utterly parched. Consequently, his initially deep and rich voice had turned into an awful croak.
Pouring him a glass of water, Bailey snagged a straw from the bedside table and tossed it into the glass. Then, she brought it to his mouth. “Don't drink too much, just enough to moisten your throat. You can't have too much liquid now, or it'll cause visceral swelling.”
Artemis narrowed his eyes as he stared at the straw beside his mouth. The corners of his eyes twitched.
She wants me to drink with this? Can she be any more infuriating?
Subsequently, he struggled to sit up. D*mn it! I'd rather risk reopening my wound than use such a thing!
It's simply too mortifying!
Bailey swiftly held him down.
“What's wrong with you now? You're eager to die again just after getting off the operating table, huh?”
His blood boiling, Artemis closed his eyes slowly and ignored her.
Bailey was wholly flabbergasted.