CHAPTER 20: CHAPTER 20: INTERACTING WITH THE CHILD

"Eat."

The little boy handed over a piece of fruit, his eyes sparkling, no longer possessing the dull air he used to have.

Eleanor Hollis recalled the warmth of that night, her face relaxing as she slowly took it, "Thank you."

She took a bite and suddenly asked, "Did you catch a cold after getting caught in the rain that night?"

"Mm."

The little boy bowed his head, his pale face tinged with an unusual flush.

He looked like a porcelain doll, seeming as if he’d shatter with a gentle touch, no wonder Hugo Quinn watched him so closely.

"Where’s your mom?"

Wasn’t Grace Lynch supposed to care about this child the most? Why wasn’t she by his side at this time?

The little boy suddenly looked up, staring at her intently before quickly averting his gaze.

Eleanor Hollis felt odd being looked at that way, a little uneasy.

She suddenly thought of the child she hadn’t been able to keep; if they had survived, they’d probably be this big by now.

Thinking of this weighed on her, that night’s assault was an unbearable memory, but the child was innocent.

She had taken meticulous care of her body after getting pregnant, yet she hadn’t expected to lose the child.

"Eat."

Just as she finished the fruit in her hand, the little boy handed another piece over, tilting his head with a smile, that flush becoming more apparent.

Eleanor Hollis’s heart melted; children truly are the most adorable beings in the world, especially the one in front of her.

"I won’t eat anymore, you eat it yourself, get well soon."

Hugo Quinn stood at the door watching their interaction, his brows furrowing tighter.

If he wasn’t mistaken, little Marcus seemed to have said three words just now, more than he had spoken in a whole month.

He felt a pang of jealousy, why was this child so friendly toward Eleanor Hollis?

"Mr. Quinn, you’re here."

Eleanor Hollis only then saw him standing at the door. She quickly got up, "Thank you for dinner earlier, my grandmother enjoyed it."

Hugo Quinn’s brows remained furrowed, he responded with a faint "Mm" and sat down on the other side of Marcus.

Eleanor Hollis felt awkward, as if any time she was with this man, she would feel awkward.

He was too cold, freezing all the vitality around, making her too embarrassed to speak, and she wanted to retreat.

"You... you..."

The little boy’s voice came through again, a bit anxious, as if struggling to say a complete sentence.

But because he was too rushed, he stuttered out only the word "you".

"Eleanor Hollis, come back."

Seeing Marcus’s state, Hugo Quinn called out in a deep voice.

Eleanor Hollis reflexively stiffened, forcing herself to turn around, "Mr. Quinn?"

Heaven knows, she just wanted to get out of this man’s sight; his presence was so overpowering, she didn’t dare move at all.

"Marcus is calling you."

In Hugo’s eyes, there was some excitement; this child had almost said ten words today. In the past, no matter what he asked, the boy would only nod or shake his head.

He rarely acted like this, eager to speak.

Eleanor Hollis returned to sit by the bedside, not daring to meet Hugo Quinn’s eyes, she could only focus on the little boy, a fake smile on her face.

The little boy sighed with relief, suddenly reached out, and tugged on her sleeve, offering her a soft smile, as obedient as a fluffy little fox.

All of Eleanor Hollis’s negative emotions vanished, and she began to grow bolder, holding his hand.

"Marcus, you need to listen to the doctor, that’s the way to stay healthy."

Sitting across, Hugo Quinn’s pupils constricted. Previously, when he spoke to Marcus, the boy would just furrow his brows, but now, standing in front of Eleanor Hollis, he was staring intently into her eyes as if seeing a cherished toy.