Chapter 273

Garth couldn’t believe how unfair his dad was.

There he was, stuck in a hospital bed with an IV drip, staring up at the ceiling, while his dad and Mamie sat together at the table, having dinner like nothing was wrong. It was enough to make him mad.

“Dad, I’m hungry too,” he called out.

Scott didn’t even bother to look at him. “The nurse already said you have to wait a bit after your IV before eating. Did you forget you threw up when you first got here p>

“Oh.” Garth pouted, looking miserable.

Mamie glanced over, looking a little guilty. “Maybe I could check with the doctor? A little plain porridge should be okay, right p>

“No need,” Scott replied. He saw right through Garth.

“He already had a piece of strawberry cake, a glass of milk, a bag of chips, and some cheese sticks before we came to the hospital p>

Garth’s cheeks turned bright red. “Dad, I didn’t. That was at five o’clock p>

Scott raised his eyebrows. “And now it’s seven. Are you telling me you’re hungry again p>

Garth fell silent. The truth was, he wasn’t really hungry. He just wanted Mamie to stay with him.

Mamie hadn’t realized Garth had eaten so much before his fever. Even an adult wouldn’t be hungry after all that food.

She picked up her small bowl of porridge and moved over to sit beside his bed. “I’ll hang out here with you. If you want to talk, just talk to me, okay p>

Garth’s eyes got a little watery. “Mamie, you’re the best p>

Scott watched from the table, feeling like his rare chance to spend time with Mamie had just been snatched away. He wiped his hands, walked over, and said, “Go ahead and eat. I’ll stay with him p>

He shot Garth a look, the kind that said don’t even try it.

Garth shut his mouth and managed a small smile. “Mamie, you should eat. I’m fine, really p>

Mamie didn’t argue. She finished her meal and noticed it was already seven-thirty.

She stood up to wash her lunchbox, but Scott stopped her. “No need. The housekeeper will take care of it Stay with Garth for a

Ninute. I’m going to

talk to the doctor p>

fo

Mamie nodded. Garth was already asleep, curled up on the bed.

She gently pressed the back of her hand to his forehead. His fever had gone down a

bit.

Mamie hadn’t taken

care of kids

before, but she spotted the faint sweat on his neck. She grabbed a

sweet from the cabinet, gently

dean

lifted Garth, wiped him down, and slipped a fresh towel behind his back.

Outside the room, Scott stood watching, his eyes softer than he realized.

Mamie suddenly sensed someone looking at her. She turned and met Scott’s dark, steady gaze.

“Scott, Garth’s fever is better now,” she said.

Scott nodded, his voice low and a little rough. “I’ll walk you downstairs. Aaron can drive you home. Thank you for everything today p>

Mamie shook her head quickly. “It’s okay. I drove here myself. It really wasn’t a big deal, and I like Garth p>

“It’s late. Let Aaron drive you and bring your car back. If anything happened on the way home, I’d never forgive myself p>

His words left no room for argument, so Mamie gave in.

“Alright, thank you p>

Scott gave her a small smile. “No, really, thank you. And… think about what I asked last time. I still think we’d be great together p>

Mamie felt her cheeks heat up. She knew he was still holding onto that whole ‘pretend couple’ thing.

She hesitated. If she asked Scott for

help with her own investigation, things would probably move a lot, faster. But she didnt fully trust him:

She wasn’t ready to lay all her secrets out in the open.

Her voice was softer this time. “I’ll think about it when I get home p>