A violent fit of coughing echoed through the air. Evelyn tightly supported his back, clearly feeling his almost convulsive tremors. However, the arm that was holding the child in her arms didn't relax in the slightest.
Staring at the cold, distant figure before her, a trace of concern and worry suddenly appeared in Evelyn's dazed eyes. Her expression became unusually complex. She wanted to tighten her grip on his hand, but she felt her strength gradually fading…
Lincoln was quick on his feet. In no time, he climbed up, handed the child to Fred, and turned to look at her, extending his hand toward her…
Evelyn's starry eyes widened as she silently watched the busy little figure.
"Mom, drink some water..."
Glen Norman carefully brought a half cup of water to Evelyn's side.
Evelyn propped herself up slightly, reached out to touch his head, took the cup of water, and had a few sips. Meeting his clear gaze, she softly said, "My name is Evelyn, not your mom... You can call me Evelyn, okay?"
To her surprise, as soon as Evelyn spoke, the child immediately hugged her arm. His eyes, like black grapes, immediately filled with tears as he tightly embraced Evelyn. "Mom... you're my mom..."
Evelyn furrowed her brow, trying to gently explain, "Uh... I'm really not your mom..."
"You are my mom... Mom... there's a mark here..."
Glen immediately started sobbing, reaching his small hand toward the back of Evelyn's neck…
Don't underestimate him just because he's small and thinks he can fool her. Although he didn't remember his mother's appearance clearly, he remembered that his mom had a mole on the back of her neck!
Evelyn stared at Glen in front of her, his eyes teary with those watery, pleading eyes—
Well, she did indeed have a mole on the back of her neck, but she was definitely not Samantha Norman!
So... does this count as becoming an unexpected mom?
"Uh... Can you call me Evelyn instead?"
This definitely wasn't part of her past life!
"Mom!"
Glen looked at her with determination, then firmly said the words again.
Evelyn felt like she was being defeated by this little rascal. After thinking for a moment, she decided to just let it be, put down the cup of water, and lifted him up in her arms. "Where's your dad?"
At this, Glen's eyes immediately lit up with hope and kindness. He answered softly, "Dad went out... Don't worry, Mom, I'll stay with you... When the nurse comes to give you an injection, I'll tell her to be careful... I'll ask her to give you sweet medicine, not the bitter kind. You'll feel better soon..."
Glen Norman spoke all of this at once, and Evelyn was naturally surprised. She remembered that in her past life, this child didn't like to talk much, and it was hard for Lincoln to get him to say even a few words…
Evelyn chuckled softly, also catching the information she wanted from his words.
It seemed that Lincoln should be fine. She had used herself as a cushion, preventing him from hitting the mountain wall, and now her back still stung with heat.
"Evelyn is fine, and I'm not afraid of bitterness. Don't worry, Glen..."
Evelyn softly replied.
"Mom!"
Before she even finished speaking, the little rascal immediately corrected her.
Evelyn could only helplessly rub her forehead.
"Ah, Miss Evelyn, you're awake?"
Just as Evelyn's words fell, a slightly surprised voice came from her side. Evelyn turned toward the sound.
A young nurse appeared before her…
"Thank God, you're finally awake! You had a high fever and got caught in the rain. You were unconscious all night. Just now, your husband came to inquire about your condition. Do you feel any discomfort? The wound might hurt a little. I'll change the dressing right away..."
The nurse came over, placed the tray she was holding down, and slightly adjusted the bed, her face smiling.
When Glen Norman saw this, he quickly stepped aside but still reached out and pulled the blanket beside him, staring at Evelyn in a daze.
Her husband?
Evelyn was momentarily confused again, her mind feeling overwhelmed. Forget it, she wouldn't explain!
"I'm fine. Are they okay?"
Evelyn gently touched his little head while looking at the nurse and asking.
"Your husband and son are both fine. They only have some minor scrapes. Fred's leg might need time to heal. Luckily, the rescue was timely, or it could've been a big problem. The rain has been so heavy lately..."
Evelyn was, of course, well aware of this. After Lincoln's accident, the government departments were furious, and the relevant departments in the traffic management bureau had a tough time. Even Evelyn had to write a long self-reflection report.
"Then... are you sure their injuries aren't serious?"
Evelyn couldn't help but double-check because, in her past life, Lincoln's health worsened due to this accident, and the suffering that followed was unbearable.
The young nurse chuckled softly, placing the tray and thermos she was holding aside, and then took Evelyn's hand to start the IV. As she did, she smiled and said, "Don't worry, they're just minor scrapes. The most serious injury is Fred's—his right leg is fractured, but it's under control now. With treatment, he'll be fine."
"By the way, the wound on your back is a bit deep. It might leave a scar. You should stick to light food for now."
After finishing the injection, the nurse brought Evelyn a bowl of light dinner.
"Eat a little. I'm sure you're hungry."
Evelyn finally let out a breath of relief, reached out to take the food, and turned to Glen beside her. "Glen, have you eaten?"
The little guy's eyes had a faint bruise around them, likely from exhaustion.
Glen Norman shook his head. "Mom, I'm not hungry..."
However, as if to embarrass him, just as he finished speaking, his stomach let out a loud "gurgling" sound. He immediately hugged his stomach, and a faint flush of annoyance appeared on his cute little face, making him look even more adorable—what a cute little Glen!
Evelyn laughed and handed him her food.
After a simple cleanup, the wind and rain outside were still heavy. Evelyn, looking at the sleepy-eyed Glen, was considering whether to have the nurse take him back to rest, but he reached out and grabbed the blanket, refusing to leave.
Lincoln still hadn't come back...
After thinking for a moment, Evelyn finally lifted the blanket and, looking at Glen's star-like eyes, said, "Come up."
Glen Norman's beautiful eyes immediately sparkled with excitement. He quickly kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed.
With a soft little body next to her, the already small hospital bed seemed even more cramped. Evelyn naturally felt a bit uncomfortable, but when she looked at the hopeful expression in the little guy's eyes, her heart unexpectedly softened.
In her past life, she had lived into her thirties without getting married or having children, but she had always liked kids.
Yet, the little guy seemed to suddenly have lost his sleepiness. His bright eyes were fixed on Evelyn, and his little hand, tucked under the blanket, gently reached out to touch the back of her hand, its coolness sending a slight chill. Evelyn moved her hand slightly, and his whole little body tensed, a hint of unease appearing in his eyes.
Evelyn recognized that look all too well. During her years on the border, when she rescued children from human traffickers, they had that same fearful, anxious gaze.
Her heart softened. She reached out and pulled him into her embrace, softly saying, "Don't be afraid. Sleep well. I'm here..."
"Mom, can you sing a song for Glen? Just one..."
The little guy obediently let her hold him, but his eyes never left her, filled with expectation. He raised a small, pale finger, his face full of anticipation...
Evelyn paused for a moment, then, after a thought, gently began to hum a song...