Page 143 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire

“You don’t have purple stuff on your face.” My heart clenched. The last time I got hurt, I had bruises all over me from that fucking asshole who’d cornered me in the alleyway.

“No, I ate something bad this time. Everything’s going to be okay; I just have to sleep it off.” I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his chubby cheek. “First, we’ll put on a movie. Just be warned, I might doze off.”

He nodded seriously, his little brows furrowed. “Not to worry, Maman. We’ll take care of you.”

Chapter59

Byron

Another shiver wracked Odette’s body.

Ratatouilleplayed in the background, and Ares’s attention was on it as he watched with a smile and wide eyes. He was okay, but Odette wasn’t, so I focused all my attention on her.

Her hand trembled as she wrapped the cardigan tighter around herself. Ares snuggled against her, and I caught her wince a few times as he shifted. She leaned back against the cushions, putting some space between Ares and herself.

I frowned.

She had to still be in pain. Usually she was pulling him in closer. But every time I asked her if she was better, she assured me she was. I started to suspect she was lying to me; while my wife was a great doctor, she was a terrible patient.

I studied her face. She was pale. Her eyes were glassy and there were dark shadows under them. She could barely hold her eyes open, which considering today’s events was to be expected, but her fever worried me. I’d called Dr. Chen twice already. I feared after the third time, he might outright block my number, and then I’d have to go and be an asshole.

“Are you okay?” The movie playing in the background captivated all of Ares’s attention. When we agreed on family movie night, both Odette and I voted againstThomas and Friends. There was only so much of Thomas we could bear, day in and day out.

“Ares, buddy.” My son’s eyes immediately found me. “Want to come sit with me and help me with this movie? I can’t tell what’s happening.” He had trained me on Thomas’s good and bad friends, but this movie I’d never seen.

I didn’t have to say it twice. Ares jumped up from the little love-seat, leaving his mom’s nest, and padded over to me. His blue pajamas had trains all over them, matching the one he gripped in his hand. He climbed onto the couch and scooted over close to me. His small body snuggled close and my chest tightened. He was so tiny. So innocent.

“See that—” he started, pointing to the large screen.

For the next thirty minutes, he animatedly explained everything about the movie. I listened, smiling at his enthusiasm while keeping my worried attention on Odette. She took up the love-seat and was curled into the fetal position, a blanket pulled over her body.

My chest pinched seeing her in pain. She could try to hide it, but it was fruitless. It was clear as day with the way her eyes drooped. I couldn’t take it anymore. She’d have to suffer through me taking care of her.

“Ares, I think Mommy is not feeling well,” I whispered softly. The fact that Odette didn’t even register I was talking was sign enough that she was worse than I thought. “I’m going to get some medicine for her. Can you keep an eye on her for me?” His blue eyes immediately darted to his mother, full of worry. “Don’t worry, buddy. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

He nodded seriously, his movie completely forgotten and all his attention on Odette. “I’ll keep watch.”

I stood up and headed for the closest bathroom. Each bathroom was stocked with a first aid kit and some essential medicine. I scanned the contents of the medicine cabinet. I could have sworn there was—aha.Found it!

Ibuprofen.

Dr. Chen said it was safe to give it to her. I returned to the family room carrying the bottle of pills and a glass of water. Ares’s eyes were still trained on his mother.

“She hasn’t moved,” he whispered.

“Good. That means she’s resting and that’s exactly what she needs.” He nodded, a serious expression on his face. “We’ll finish the movie, and then it’s bedtime. Okay, buddy?”

“Okay.”

He was a good kid. I might have been robbed of years with him, but Odette raised him well. I placed all the contents from the bathroom onto the coffee table, then kneeled down, bringing my face closer to her.

“Odette.” My voice was low as I touched the back of my hand to her forehead. My hand was too cold or her forehead was too hot, I couldn’t figure it out.

A soft groan vibrated on her lips. “God, that feels good. Keep your hand there."

If this were any other circumstance, my dick would be hard as a rock. As it was, her response only had me more worried.

Removing my hand from her forehead, I replaced it with my lips. Her skin scorched my mouth.