Chapter 19 You’re Just A Dog I Used To Take Care Of
Eileen finally fell asleep after taking two painkillers.
It wasn’t until three in the morning when cold sweat beaded at her forehead, and she began to wheeze.
Eric looked up from his laptop, reaching out to put a hand to her forehead and cheeks. “Her temperature’s dropped. I think her fever’s going down.”
Sharon was making her way over with some water. “Mr. Snow, let me take care of her! You’ve got work. tomorrow, don’t wear yourself out.”
Eric had still come in the end. Sharon knew that Eric did not have feelings for Eileen, but still treated. her like a little sister.
“I’m alright. Has she taken her painkillers?”
Sharon said, “Yes, at around ten.”
“It’s best not to take too much of those.” Eric wrung the towel in the bowl of water dry, wiping the cold. sweat away from Eileen’s forehead. “You should rest instead, Sharon. I’ve taken a half day off
tomorrow.”
Sharon looked at Eileen, then at Eric. “Alright then…”
“No…” Eileen croaked from the bed, her voice feeble. I want Sharon… don’t go…”
Eileen had actually been awake for a while, but did not want to appear so after hearing Eric’s voice. She did not want to see him at all.
Sharon hurried over, stroking Eileen’s hand tenderly. “Alright… I won’t go, I’ll stay!”
“Mr. Snow, Eileen wants to be around me. I think you should just let me watch over her.”
“Alright. I’ll be next door, let me know if anything happens.”
“Yes, Mr. Snow.”
Eric’s expression was cold again when he closed the door behind him.
Eileen opened her eyes slowly, watching him disappear from sight before saying. “Sharon, you should rest too. I’m really fine.”
“Did the pain wake you up again?” Sharon wiped away her tears, her ch*st aching.
“No, I’m much better now.”
#
“Eileen, do you really not like Mr. Snow anymore?’
Eileen stared at the ceiling above her. “Yes, I don’t like en anymore. One lesson was enough! Besides, Eric doesn’t like me back that way. Forcing it will only make him resent me more.”
1/4
In all the years Eileen and Eric had been married, every time Eric said something when he was drunk. or asleep it would be about Vera.
Eric had treated Eileen like a faceless b*dy and nothing else for the eight years they had been married, and nothing more.
“So… I think being his sister’s pretty alright. Besides… Dad doesn’t like seeing Eric and I together.
anyways.”
“I should just let go if that’s the case, shouldn’t I? That way Vera can have her man, too. I just want to work hard in school now, and get into a good university. I’m getting older, I can’t keep relying on my family.”
Eileen’s words shocked Sharon to her core. It seemed like Eileen had really grown up.
“What’s all this talk about relying on us? You’re still a kid, you’re in no rush to grow up. You’ll always be a baby to me.”
Eileen closed her eyes at Sharon’s words, swearing to herself that she would take Sharon with her the day she was free from the Swan household.
Outside the ward, a hand on the doorknob slowly retreated….
Eric had left his laptop in the ward, and had overheard Sharon’s words when he went back for it. His gaze grew cold.
His hand left the doorknob, and he turned to leave.
Eileen watched as his silhouette grew smaller and smaller, looking away when it was gone.
Eric… did you hear that?
I’m really letting go of you this time.
I don’t love you anymore, Eric Snow!
Eileen finally fell asleep through the pain when it was almost light outside.
She slept peacefully this time, without having any dreams.
Will Swan returned to Hulbury at around noon.
There were several b*dyguards following him.
Tensions were high in the Swan household study.
Will bowed to the altar at the side of the room, letting out a sigh.
“I’m so sorry, Dad. It’s my fault I didn’t take enough care of Eileen, and neglected to see what was happening at her school.”
Eileen was rude and arrogant, and Eric had predicted that this would happen.
Will turned around after bowing.
“How did Eileen get hurt? Did you look into it?’
Will had rushed home after landing in Hulbury, and did not even change.
He was slightly fat, with a string of buddha beads around his wrist and an air of authority about him.
Will had done many unsavory things when he was younger, but did not look like a terrifying man at all. He seemed kind and friendly, but was capable of the most ruthless methods.
Perhaps he felt like he had killed and hurt too many people, but Will turned to Buddhism when he was older. He had an altar in his study, and donated a great amount of money to the temple every year.
“I have, but the Smith family’s been looking into it too. And… I was preparing to get the perpetrator yesterday, but the Smiths got there before me and took the person who bullied Eileen away.”
“The Smiths?” Will squinted.
“Yes!
Of course it was them.
“How did Eileen know the Smiths? Was it their son, Elm Smith?”
“No, it seemed like someone else. I suspect Elm hired someone to hurt Eileen, there’s no way he’s on her side.”
Elm was an illegitimate child the Smiths had brought back from abroad, and he had gotten into some conflicts with the Swans before entering the Smith family.
There was no one else that could be behind this aside from Elm.
They had had it good for far too long.
www
The Smiths had seemed to forget who had brought them the stability they now had. On top of that, Eileen was Will’s daughter. Anyone who laid a finger on her was challenging Will.
“Are you sure the Smiths were helping Eileen?”
Eric nodded. “Yes.”
Will fell silent for a while, furrowing his brows. “Well, we’ll leave it be since they’ve taken care of it. Elm’s nothing more than another dog I used to take care of, how dare he do this! Have someone teach him a lesson, and don’t get caught.”
Eric nodded, his gaze darkening. “Yes, Dad!”
“How’s Eileen?”
“She’s out of critical condition, and healing pretty well.”
“I brought her some gifts, you can take them over to her for me. I know she’s got a nasty temper, and I
hope you can be more patient with her as her brother.”
“Eileen’s like a sister to me. Don’t worry, all girls have a little temper of their own.” Eric’s tone was gentle, but his gaze was cold.
“Great, as long as you understand. You should head back now.”
Eric nodded. “Get some rest, Dad.”
The sun was out today, and the temperature was perfect.
Eileen was drinking the bone broth that Sharon had brought her. It was good as usual, making her a little nostalgic.
It had been five days, and the wounds on Eileen’s b*dy were beginning to scar. They were just a little itchy, and she had to resist the urge to scratch them.
“Eileen, who’s the person that just sent you flowers?”
Eileen glanced at the roses by her bed, smiling softly. “A friend sent them. It’s a little hard for him to leave the house, but I’m happy enough that he sent me flowers.”
There were nineteen roses, and a card:
Get well soon. I’m looking forward to seeing you again when you’re out.
-Jasper Smith.
Nineteen was Eileen’s lucky number.
“Invite him over when you’re out of the hospital! I’ll cook up a feast for the two of you.”
“I will! I’ll see him for sure when I’m out of the hospital.”
They had been supposed to meet, only for things to be delayed by her injury.
Eileen had never seen Jasper before. They had always been separated by a window, or talked on the phone.
She was also looking forward to seeing him.
