"Go to your room and play for a while. I'm getting a little tired, and | need to rest," Dominic said softly, gently patting Galen.
Galen was very sensible. Although he did not fully understand everything that had happened recently, he had becmuch more
obedient. Moreover, his father had entrusted him before leaving, telling him to listen to Dominic and Austin. Galen remembered it
all.
"Okay. | won't disturb you then. If you miss me, just call me." With that, Galen turned around, propping his chubby little arms on
the bed, ready to climb down.
Austin immediately scooped the little one up and turned to leave the room. When he reached Galen's room, he set the little one
down before bending and saying, “What do you want to eat? | can order takeout for us. How about that?”
He thought Galen would happily agree. However, the little one shook his head. “No, Daddy said | shouldn't trouble others
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtunnecessarily. Grandpa is the most important right now. Please take care of Grandpa, Uncle Austin!”
Although he sounded childish, his words were mature beyond his years. Austin did not know what to say momentarily, feeling
overwhelmed with emotions.
He used to think children were troublescreatures who required constant care and caused endless worries. However, after
spending these past few days with Galen, he realized children, in many moments of vulnerability, could heal one’s heart.
Galen was a delicate boy who possessed immense strength. While most of the time, adults would think they were caring for their
child, the child often tended to the adults’ emotions.
"Okay. You're such a good boy." Austin gently hugged Galen, feeling the tenderness of Galen's small body, which energized Austin.
He glanced at the red dots on Galen's neck again. It was irregularly distributed, faint in appearance, and resembled a birthmark
but not quite the same.
He remembered not noticing any such marks on Galen's neck before. It meant they appeared within these past few days, even
though Austin could not pinpoint the exact time. He had no idea what those marks were but felt it was related to the virus.
‘Galen is the only one in the estate who didn’t get infected. Oh, and Alexander. Still, Alexander arrived late and was only here for
two days, so his case didn’t provide much reference. Meanwhile, Galen has been with us the entire time.
‘He eats and lives with us, yet he remains healthy while everyone else here is more or less infected.’
Austin gently raised his head, anxious as he reached to touch Galen's forehead. The little one’s temperature was average, even
though he had a fever when Alexander cto pick him up. However, Galen was fine once his fever subsided.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
‘We didn’t think much about it then, but was the fever a symptom of the infection, and Galen managed to overcit on his own?’
Austin could not understand it. Despite having treated many patients, he had never faced such a situation. There was no past
medical history to reference, only his own gradual exploration.
He got up and returned to Dominic's room, but as soon as he stepped through the door, he was shocked by what he saw.
“Uncle Dom!” Austin exclaimed, rushing to the older man’s bedside and looking at him hanging off the bed. On the floor was a
large puddle of blood.
Dominic lay there, gasping for air as fresh bloodstains were visible at the corners of his lips. It was evident he had been coughing
up blood after Austin and Galen left. It seemed to be severe.
Austin was distraught when he saw his granduncle in that horrific state. He naively believed Dominic was gradually recovering and
his condition was improving. Little did Austin know Dominic was putting on an act and not getting better at all.