SWNOVELS Chapter 1700
Chapter 1700
Amanda chuckled, “You got it. Mom and Dad, you guys better step up your game. Whether I’m the bully or the bullied depends on you.”
Tracey playfully tapped her daughter’s forehead, “We didn’t raise you to be a bully, nor to be bullied.”
Amanda replied with a grin, “Mom, I’m just joking. Don’t take it seriously. Dad, hurry up with that, I’ve finished mine.”
Dominic reassured her, “Almost done, sweetie. Eat slowly, don’t make yourself sick.”
Skyler watched the family of three with eyes that began to well up with envy. This was the scene she had longed for all her life.
She didn’t desire wealth, she had no interest in inheriting a family business, nor did she want to be part of any prestigious marriage. All she yearned for was a happy, healthy family where her parents showered her with love and affection, and where her sister could grow up strong and well. Yet, this picture of familial warmth, so common in other households, seemed like a luxury
to her.
Throughout her life, she had never felt the genuine love and care from her parents. Now, she couldn’t even reach her own sister. She worried her sister might be enduring the same hardships she had faced, and the thought alone turned Skyler’s face pale.e2 It was Tracey who noticed something was amiss, “Skyler, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?”
Skyler shook her head and forced a smile, “I’m fine.”
Tracey, not convinced, checked her forehead, “You’re burning up. How can you be fine? Dominic, the thermometer.”
Dominic quickly pulled a thermometer from his bag. “Here, let’s check your temperature.”
Tracey motioned to Skyler, “Come sit over here, honey. Let me take your temperature.”
Skyler, who was used to dealing with illness alone, felt a bit overwhelmed, “I’m really okay. I can do it myself.”
But Tracey wouldn’t hear of it and inserted the thermometer under Skyler’s arm, “Hold it there for a few minutes.”
Skyler mumbled a thank you, feeling like a burden, “Sorry to trouble you.”
Tracey brushed it off, “It’s no trouble at all.”
Dominic chimed in, “I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare some chicken soup. It’s better for a fever.”
Even strangers were so kind to her. Skyler blinked, attempting to force back the tears swirling in her eyes, but a few drops escaped her control and fell.
Tracey, feeling Skyler’s forehead again, “Sweetheart, you must be feeling terrible, aren’t you?”
Skyler, savoring the warmth of the moment, instinctively nuzzled into Tracey’s hand, “Mom…”
If only she could call this woman ‘Mom’. If only her own mother would show her this much concern…
Amanda leaned in, “Skyler, are you delirious? This is my mom.”
Skyler apologized quickly, “Sorry.”
Amanda waved it off, “Don’t be. I just don’t want you getting confused. Stop crying and don’t be scared. My dad’s a pediatrician and my mom’s an OB-GYN, but they’re really good at bringing down fevers. I used to get sick a lot as a kid, and they always took care of me. You’ll be okay in no time.”
Skyler whispered, “I’m not scared.” But deep down, she envied Amanda for having such wonderful parents.
Skyler did have a fever. It spiked to 39 degrees, but with Dominic and Tracey’s care, taking medicine, and a night’s rest in her dorm room, the fever broke.
When she woke up, the world was blanketed in white. A heavy snowfall had come in the night, yet she hadn’t heard a thing.
She stood by the window, gazing at the snow-covered world outside.