Chapter 81

Evelyn sighed as she looked at the three little troublemakers sprawled on the floor. A tired chuckle escaped her lips. "You three really know how to test my patience."

Daisy was the first to pipe up, her big eyes wide with innocence. "Mommy, we just want you and Daddy to be happy together!"

Caleb quickly jumped in, nodding vigorously. "Yeah, Mommy! Look at us—we don’t have a daddy, and it’s so sad!"

Liam, ever the quiet one, simply nodded in agreement, though his expression was just as earnest.

Evelyn rubbed her temples. "I need to wash my face." She turned and headed straight for the bathroom.

Daisy tilted her head, watching her mother’s retreating figure. "Mommy didn’t sleep well last night."

Caleb frowned. "She has dark circles under her eyes."

The three children exchanged glances before creeping toward Nathan, who was still fast asleep on the couch.

Caleb poked his father’s arm. "Why isn’t Daddy waking up?"

Daisy and Liam studied him closely. After a moment, Liam reached out and pressed a small hand to Nathan’s forehead. His eyes widened. "Daddy’s burning up!"

Caleb gasped. "Was it because we made him sit in that ice bath last night…?"

Guilt flashed across the boys’ faces. They had definitely caused this.

Evelyn returned with a thermometer and checked Nathan’s temperature. Her breath hitched. 102°F.

Daisy clutched her mother’s sleeve, her voice trembling. "Mommy, will Daddy die from this fever?"

Liam quickly reassured her. "No, it’s just like when we get sick. He needs medicine."

Caleb dashed off and returned moments later with a bottle of fever reducer. "Here, Mommy!"

Evelyn took the medicine and the glass of water Daisy handed her, then hesitated.

How am I supposed to get him to take this?

Liam tapped his chin thoughtfully. "In dramas, they always do mouth-to-mouth."

Evelyn nearly choked. "Liam Vanderbilt, no more dramas for you!"

What kind of children did I raise?

She pried Nathan’s mouth open, shoved the pill in, and poured water down his throat. Nathan sputtered, coughed, and jolted awake, glaring at her through bleary eyes.

The triplets winced in sympathy. That looked painful.

Now that he was conscious, Evelyn crossed her arms. "You have a fever. Take your medicine and go home."

Nathan blinked slowly, then flopped back onto the couch. "I’m sick. I need rest."

"You—!"

Daisy pouted. "Mommy, Daddy’s sick! You can’t just kick him out!"

Caleb nodded. "Yeah! What if he faints on the street and gets robbed?"

Evelyn was speechless.

Nathan smirked inwardly, eyes still closed. The kids were defending him. He wasn’t going anywhere.

Dignity can wait.

After Evelyn left for work, Nathan woke an hour later. The medicine had dulled the pounding in his head. He wandered into the living room and paused.

Liam stood on a stool in the kitchen, expertly stirring something in a pot.

Daisy trotted over, peering up at him. "Daddy, is your fever gone?"

Nathan ruffled her hair. "Much better." He glanced at Liam. "He can cook?"

Daisy beamed. "Liam can do everything! When Mommy’s busy, he takes care of us!"

Nathan’s expression darkened. Too busy to take care of her own kids?

Liam carried a plate of scrambled eggs to the table. "Mommy works hard to support us. If she stayed home all the time, we wouldn’t have food."

Nathan’s chest tightened. He had a lot to make up for.