Filed to story: Healing My Disabled Husband Novel
Averi’s mood was relieved by Casey’s teasing.
Despite all their jokes, Averi never forgot about River who was still there with them.
From River’s words, it seemed like he wasn’t blaming her, but Averi knew that if it weren’t for her, Beata wouldn’t have stayed out overnight. Ultimately, the root cause was still herself.
River could see what Averi was thinking. He finished the remaining half bottle of soda and crushed the can.
“Miss Kight,” he said. “Even if someone else were here today, this would have happened regardless.
You don’t need to take responsibility for everything.”
Averi replied, “That may be true in theory, but in reality I do have some responsibility that cannot be denied. Mr. Knight, you don’t need to try and shift blame away from me.”
“So are you trying to argue with me about who should take responsibility?” River felt a little helpless.
He had never met a woman as stubborn as Averi before. It was as if she couldn’t relax until they had established who was superior.
Averi pursed her lips and said, “That’s not what I meant. I just don’t want to easily absolve myself of any wrongdoing.”
She lifted her gaze and looked into River’s eyes with an obstinate expression that conveyed pure determination.
Despite this display of resolve from Averi though, River couldn’t help feeling resigned because of what she had said earlier.
He looked at her for a long time before finally sighing, “Miss Knight … You know how hard it is for me not to get angry at you right now? Earlier on the balcony when I smoked my cigarette… it took all my strength not to blame you entirely for this situation.”
Once again his words left Averi stunned. She didn’t know how best to respond or react anymore
River laughed lightly when he saw the awkward look on her face and continued speaking, “You really leave me speechless sometimes.”
In response, Averi simply pursed her lips without saying anything further, while deep down inside, River himself felt bewildered by his own actions.
He couldn’t understand why he was going through so much trouble justifying things on behalf of one woman or why he even took up such responsibilities in the first place?
When Averi called him earlier about Beata falling ill, River even contemplated killing Averi out of anger.
But now looking back at everything, his mind raced with regret.
Why did he let Beata interact so closely with Averi? From day one, it would’ve been better if they’d never met each other.
Then again, wouldn’t that make Beata unhappy?
These thoughts swirled around his head endlessly, leaving him feeling more confused than ever before.
River only cared about Beata’s safety and health. However, when Averi opened the door, River couldn’t bring himself to be angry with her after seeing her face. Especially since Beata’s condition had stabilized and was gradually improving, his anger had dissipated.
He went out to the balcony to smoke, not intending to find a reason for Averi but rather trying to avoid getting mad at her.
However, when Averi brought him soda water, he unconsciously found a reason.
River couldn’t help but feel amused by how stubborn Averi was. She seemed determined to take responsibility for everything so that she could feel better emotionally.
But for River, he really didn’t know what to do with her.
Neither of them spoke and fell into silence instead. Actually, it wasn’t hot on the balcony. The evening breeze blew gently on their skin with a slight coolness.
Averi was just worried about River’s emotions.
After a long silence, Averi said, “Mr. Knight, I’ll go check on Beata.”
Then she turned around and went back into the living room where Kelvin and Casey were both looking at her in unison.
They naturally heard everything that happened between her and River earlier. In fact, not only did River find it frustrating but even Kelvin found it very frustrating as well.
Kelvin looked at Averi and said, “I forgot to tell you earlier that after giving Beata this fever-reducing injection, she might get thirsty easily tomorrow morning. So make sure you let her drink more water or else she’ll have a sore throat.”
Averi nodded then went into the kitchen where she boiled some hot water before mixing it with mineral water, until it reached an appropriate temperature.
Then she went back into the room where Beata slept soundly without any means of drinking normally due to being asleep.
Averi had no choice but use cotton swabs dipped in water, then moistened Beata’s lips repeatedly.
She also brought straws, hoping that there would be an opportunity for Beata herself to drink some fluids voluntarily, which proved difficult indeed!
To prevent any discomfort from arising in Beata’s throat tomorrow morning due dehydration tonight,
Averi kept using cotton swabs throughout night, keeping her lips moistened continuously.
Casey occasionally came in helping out until later half of night when they became too tired.
Eventually, Casey fell asleep in guestroom.
After daybreak, Kelvin came over to check on Beata again and confirmed that her temperature had completely gone down.
He said, “When she wakes up, give her something soft and easy to digest to eat. Then take the medicine to strengthen her. She will be fine.”
Averi nodded and thanked Kelvin for his hard work throughout the night.
“Don’t be so polite with me,” Kelvin said. “I’ll go make breakfast.” Averi nodded in agreement without being overly polite.
Around seven o’clock, Beata woke up groggily with her eyes still closed, muttering about being thirsty.
Averi quickly helped her sit up and handed her a glass of water.
Beata gulped down a big mouthful before finally waking up fully.
The after-effects of the fever made every part of her body feel sore as hell.
Looking at Averi suspiciously, Beata asked, “Averi, what’s wrong with me? Why do I feel like I’ve been run over by a car?”
“You had a fever last night,” replied Averi. “Are you feeling any discomfort anywhere else? The doctor is outside. I’ll call him in.”
Beata wrinkled her brow in confusion since she couldn’t understand how she could have gotten sick all of sudden.
Apologetically, she was stroking Beata’s head gently while saying sorry for not taking better care of her earlier when she got sick at her place yesterday.
It was due to her sleeping on the sofa under an air conditioner which caused coldness herself.
“It’s not your fault,” protested Beata immediately upon hearing this from Averi who was pretty cute yet smart and gentle woman.
She always took care of others around her.
“Rest here for a bit longer. I’ll call your brother in,” added Averi, while reassuringly patting on top of her head softly as if trying comforting her.
Upon hearing this news though from Averi about having called Brother over already – it seemed like everything suddenly changed within Beata’s mind as if some kind fear or anxiety gripped tightly onto her heart.
It was making her hard to breathe properly anymore, let alone think straight anymore either!
This meant that it wouldn’t be so easy for her to come over and hang out at Averi’s house anymore.
Beata looked at Averi with a pitiful expression and said, “Averi, you should have kept it a secret from my brother.”
Averi chuckled, knowing what she was worried about.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “If your brother doesn’t let you come over to play with the cats, I’ll sneak you out.”
Averi was just trying to comfort Beata with those words, but completely forgot that River was in the house and free to move around.
As luck would have it, River walked in just as Averi spoke those words.
A sneering laugh echoed behind her as River heard what she had said. Alongside that sound came
Beata’s timid voice saying “River.”
Gone were the days of being spoiled; Beata now resembled like a scared little rabbit.
She looked pitifully at River, already bracing herself for the storm ahead.
However, what surprised Beata greatly was when she heard him say, “Miss Knight, you needn’t go through all this trouble.”
When River walked in earlier and heard everything they were saying, Averi had tensed up completely.
She thought maybe this time she had really signed her own death warrant by speaking so recklessly.
Now not only did he hear everything clearly but he also responded calmly?
This made Averi wonder how exactly would her short life end?
River’s words caught her off guard though; making her stare at him suspiciously while trying to judge his expression – how serious he sounded or if he was just talking casually without meaning anything by it.
River met her gaze, then gave a low chuckle before saying, “This little girl will definitely find ways to come see you.”
Hearing this made Beata instinctively shrink back again – realizing that whatever thoughts or feelings were going through her minds could easily be seen by her brother!
But after being scared for a moment or two, something else dawned on Beata – there seemed like there might be something happening between Averi and River after all…
She wasn’t sure if she was reading too much into things or seeing things wrong … but why did River look different when looking at Averi? It made no sense!
Beata wasn’t sure if these thoughts were correct, but once again feeling brave enough, asking, “River, does that mean you won’t pay attention to me anymore?”
River was only mildly amused by Beata’s tone of voice, and she was about to push his luck.
He said, “Will I?”
Can’t he know his sister well?
His sister was so stubborn, but if he really used a strong means, she will fight with him to the end.
Then, as her brother, he won’t have much to lose.
Beata smiled and said, “River, how did you suddenly become so nice?”
River gave Beata a look. Sure enough, she became arrogant.
In fact, the reason why River did not stop Beata from getting close to Averi was actually Averi.
