Chapter 1565
Charlie needed to stay in the hospital for further observation, so Jamie put everything else on hold to stay by his side.
"Mom, I want some tacos," Charlie said, swinging his legs playfully.
A week had passed since the surgery, and there were no signs of rejection. Jamie finally felt some relief, and Charlie's complexion had grown noticeably healthier.
But she still had to follow the doctor's strict dietary rules.
"No, sweetheart. The doctor said you can't have that yet. How about something else? I brought you some ravioli." Jamie opened the insulated container, revealing ravioli she had made herself. Charlie didn't mind. His face lit up with excitement. "Yay! I love your ravioli, Mom!"
Jamie's heart softened at his enthusiasm.
"Okay, let me feed you. Take it slow, they're hot."
"They're still steaming!"
The mother and son shared a warm, peaceful moment until the door opened unexpectedly.
Charlie craned his neck to see who it was and quickly shouted in delight, "Uncle Ben! You're here to see me again!"
Jamie froze.
Ben had been visiting often over the past few days, and while Jamie thought she had gotten used to it, hearing his name still made her instinctively tense.
She couldn't understand why someone as busy as Ben seemed to have all the time in the world to visit them every day.
With Charlie in the room, she couldn't ask. She just watched as Ben walked in, carrying a bag.
"I brought you something, Charlie. A new toy. Do you like it?" Ben pulled out a small toy and waved it in front of Charlie's eyes.
Charlie's face lit up like the sun. "I love it! Thank you, Uncle Ben!"
Clutching the toy, Charlie was so thrilled he gave Ben a quick kiss on the cheek.
Kids loved toys, and Charlie was no exception, His hospital stay had been boring, and he had already grown tired of his old ones. Ben's gift was just what he needed
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"I didn't expect you to bring Charlie a toy," Jamie said, pressing her fingers against her temple.
With his heart condition, Charlie had always been a quiet, well-behaved child. His newfound liveliness after surgery was a welcome change, but at times, it seemed like he had a little too much energy now.
"Thank you for the thought. I wasn't expecting it," she added.
"Taking care of Charlie is my responsibility," Ben replied, his gaze softening as he looked at the boy.
Having missed so much of Charlie's childhood, Ben was determined to make up for it as much as he could.
The sunlight streamed through the window, catching in Ben's deep-set eyes, giving them an almost otherworldly glow. Jamie's chest suddenly tightened.
She steadied herself against the table, the slight creak of wood catching Ben's attention.
He reached out to steady her. "Jamie, what's wrong?"
Jamie's face paled, a vein in her temple pulsing visibly. Her ears rang, and her vision blurred.
Through the haze, she heard Ben's voice and instinctively turned toward him. But what came out of her mouth was, "Jack Green, why are you here? Where's my sister?"
"I'm not Jack Green. I'm Ben Lucas. Jamie, wake up! Winnie is gone." Ben's voice was firm but full of concern.
Was this the issue Caleb had mentioned? Her mental state had seemed stable all week, but now this...
"Winnie... why isn't she with you?" Jamie muttered, her tone distant and disoriented.
"Listen to me, Jamie," Ben said, gripping her shoulders firmly and locking eyes with her. "Calm down. Charlie is still here. He needs you." Charlie, sensing something was wrong, came closer. "Mom, are you okay?"
Ben's tension was palpable, ready to intervene if things got worse. But Jamie's connection to Charlie brought her back.
"What's happening to me?" she winced at the pounding headache and murmured, shaking her head slightly as if trying to clear it.