?Chapter 288:


    “Well, naturally,” he said, shing his usual careless grin. “He’s the older brother. I’m the reckless younger one.”


    “Pfft—” A surprisedugh escaped N despite the tears still clinging to hershes. With a yful flick to his forehead, she chuckled. “You little troublemaker. Now that your brother’s awake, you’re acting like a little brat again!”


    With a longing sigh, she expressed her hope for Ernest’s swift recovery. “It’ll be easier for you too, once he’s better, right?”


    Eric nodded. “Yes, Grandma.”


    Throughout the night, they kept vigil in Ernest’s hospital room. The next morning, N, with Eric’s assistance, helped Ernest get ready for the day. Ernest’s cheeks reddened from embarrassment, though he couldn’t utter a word yet.


    N instantly understood the situation. Having raised the boys herself, she knew them well. “You’re shy with your grandma?” She chuckled. “Both you boys, I’ve been cleaning up after you since you were little—”


    “Grandma!” Eric interjected, his hands upied with a basin. “Not me! Why drag me into this? I was the perfect child!”


    N chuckled dismissively at Eric’s im. “Perfect? Really now, you weren’t even this tall at birth!”


    Eric responded with mock arrogance, “Clearly, I was meant to be six foot two right from the start.”


    Laughing, N said without missing a beat, “Please, your brother’s the tall one at six-two. You’re actually a little shorter.”


    Eric frowned, half-yful, half-serious. “Grandma,e on!” Ernest observed the yful argument from his bed, a slight smile appearing on his face.


    N then turned her attention back to Ernest, sitting beside his bed to help him drink some water. With Ernest having just regained consciousness, his doctors had advised starting with basics like sipping water, as he still had a feeding tube.


    “Take it slow,” N encouraged gently, spooning water and bringing it to his lips. Ernest attempted to swallow carefully, though a trickle of water still escaped the corner of his mouth.


    Eric quickly grabbed a towel and gently wiped Ernest’s lips. “Take it easy, brother. You’re making excellent progress.” Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.


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    Without waiting for a reply, Linda burst in, her breaths quick and shallow. “Ernest.”


    She paused by his bed, catching her breath. Noticing her need for closeness, Eric discreetly moved aside to give her space.


    Linda arrived directly from a film set, visibly fatigued and still wearing her makeup from the previous night’s shoot. Her face bore the marks of a grueling schedule.


    Softly, she approached Ernest’s bedside and murmured his name, taking his hand gently and resting her forehead against his. Her voice shook with emotion.


    A rough sound emerged from Ernest as he tried to speak, but his words were muffled and unclear. Holding his hand more firmly, Linda whispered reassuringly, “There’s no need to hurry. Take your time. I’ll be here, waiting to hear all you want to share, whenever you’re ready.”


    N and Eric shared a look at the tender scene unfolding before them. Their silent exchange conveyed a mutual decision; they quietly exited to allow Linda and Ernest some privacy.


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