The Unveiled Rose

His words, naive yet forthright, pierced my heart like a needle.

When he was sick, at his most vulnerable, all he could think about was the woman who made him ill.

I looked down at him. The illness had clearly taken its toll; he could barely speak two sentences before falling back to sleep.

Leander obviously heard what Nigel said, too. He took my hand. "Honey."

I had nothing to say to him, trying to pull my hand back.

But Leander tightened his grip, not letting go. "Today was just a mishap. My mom acted on her own, and Nigel is just sick. He didn't mean what he said..."

"I completely understand," I said, picking up Nigel to head out of the hospital. "He's at that age where he's smitten with Luna. Of course, he thinks the world of her." I paused, then added, "And here I am, strictly forbidding him from seeing Luna."

"At first, his resentment is bound to be intense. Nigel is a good kid at heart. I'll guide him back on track and make him see who truly has his best interests at heart." "But, I need you to make sure this doesn't happen again. I can overlook today as an accident, but I won't stand for a repeat."

I stopped speaking.

Leander, not wanting me to get tired, naturally took Nigel from my arms.

"I will, I promise you, honey!"

I watched Leander, who held the sleeping Nigel in his arms and said no more.

...

After we got home.

Leander parked the car.

Nigel was still sound asleep, so I decided not to wake him and was just about to carry him inside.

But Leander was already standing by the passenger door, his voice soft, "Let me."

Then, he effortlessly lifted Nigel with one arm, extending the other hand towards me.

I was surprised and looked up.

The streetlight cast its glow on him, his tall frame and handsome features almost divine.

Leander said gently, "Let's go inside."

"Okay," I sighed inwardly, taking his hand to step out of the car, "Let's go."

Inside, Leander placed Nigel in his bed. I brought a small basin of warm water into his room. Leander cooperated by stripping Nigel down and wringing out a washcloth to wipe him down. Nigel slept through it all, only occasionally whimpering to show his discomfort.

Leander just smiled indulgently, then tossed the towel into the basin and carried it out of the bedroom.

I sat by the bed, watching Nigel.

Lately, his mood towards me has been getting worse.

Before we could even speak calmly, he would snap at me.

Only when he's asleep like this can we be at peace with each other.

"Honey."

Leander called out to me, walking over and bending down to lift me in his arms.

I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, puzzled as I stared at his profile. "What's up?"

Leander turned off the light with his elbow, then closed Nigel's bedroom door.

He hinted, "What did we say before going to the hospital?"

I had forgotten what happened before the hospital.

But what happened after that I remembered vividly...

As I held Nigel, I had seriously considered divorcing Leander.

But then I thought, if Luna could torment my child like this even before we divorced, what would happen after?

Nigel wouldn't stand a chance at happiness.

For the sake of Nigel, we couldn't break apart.

All night, these thoughts plagued me, unable to recall what had happened before the hospital visit.

"A reminder?"

"You really are scatterbrained," Leander said as he closed the bedroom door, his large hands cradling my face, gently kissing my lips. "Honey..."