Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce
Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce
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Tess’s back was stiff as a board, but she knew Finn was helping her and La. So she pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Without a word, he reached for her free right hand and gently ced two small pills in her palm.
They moved in silence, not even the hum of a breath between them.
But La was the priority now.
Whatever grudges she held had to wait. Tess turned and carefully fed the medicine to the little girl.
La, ever obedient, opened her mouth and swallowed them without fuss.
Only then did Tess finally exhale. The warmth on her face from a moment ago faded into cold distance.
Though every instinct in her resisted Finn, she couldn’t deny it was his help that got them through the worst just now. Still, no kindness could erase the past. With a cool expression, Tess walked away.
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A gesture of goodwill–however small–was nowhere near enough to settle old debts.
Her figure swiftly retreated several steps away.
A flicker of emotion crossed Finn’s eyes, but in the blink of an eye, he caught up with her.”
“The anti–diarrheal won’t work right away,” he said curtly.
His words worked like a charm. Tess paused.
“I’ll help you.”
Inside the hotel room.
“Get me a warm towel,” Finn instructed.
He carefully unwrapped La from her nket. The once–spirited little girl now looked pale and drained, her tiny stomach letting out asional gurgles.
Teas handed him the towel, then dropped to her knees beside the bed, pressing a hand to La’s forehead.
Still warm<b>. </b>Still normal.
She let out a slow, careful breath, but her chest remained tight.
La” she whispered.
Usually, the baby would giggle and reach for her fingers at the sound of her name. Now, she was still, eyes closed, and
unresponsive.
Tess felt like a taut wire about to snap. Panic flooded her chest at the thought—what if she lost her daughter?
She swallowed hard and turned the temperature higher. Her hands trembled as she began to wipe La’s body down gently.
Hasn’t the medicine kicked in yet? Why is La so weak<i>? </i>
Tess felt the world darken before her eyes until a hand gently pressed down over hers.
“Don’t be scared”
Tess jolted and yanked her hand away.
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Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce
Finn felt the warmth disappear from his palm, and strangely, his chest hollowed out with it.
His
eyes dropped to his own hand, frozen midair.
That delicate touch–soft and cool–was gone.
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He blinked slowly,shes fluttering like shadows. He pushed whatever emotion flickered in his gaze back down deep.
But that touch stirred something in him, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
His fingers fell by his sides, his fingertipsrubbing together like they were trying to grasp what had already slipped away.
The air in the room felt warmer.
Too warm. The heat gathered at Tess’s throat, making her dizzy.
But when her eyesnded on La, her mind cleared instantly.<fn2f73> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? fι?dnοvel</fn2f73>
They worked together in silence, changing diapers and wiping her down. The only sound was the quiet rustle of cloth and the faint coo of the child.
It was a strange kind of peace.
Bit by bit, La’s color began to return. The worst had passed.
Tess finally rxed. After changing La’s diaper once more, she let her body copse onto the carpet. Her limbs felt like jelly.
Finn pressed his lips and nced down at the mother and daughter.
From his angle, all he could see was Tess’s profile, her he
head bowed low, a few messy strands of hair falling across her face.
But through those strands, her eyes still shone with unmistakable tenderness<b>.. </b>
A year had passed, and she looked like a stranger.
She’d always been gentle, but before, it was a passive sort of softness–agreeable to the point of dull. Now, her warmth had gained depth. It was a mother’s strength–strong enough to carry, soft enough to soothe.
La’s eyes fluttered open. Though she still looked weak, she managed a feeble smile in Tess’s direction.
Her daughter’s quiet resilience made Tess’s heart clench. The panic from earlier lingered in her chest. She leaned in closer and murmured soothing words.
Her voice was gentle, imbued with a calming magic that softened even the air around them.
Finn, who had been standing nearby, felt something stir in his chest. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time. His eyes, almost against his will, stayed fixed on her.
They were still legally married, and yet here she was–gentlyforting a child who might not even be his.
By all ounts, he should have felt bitter, Jealous. Resentful. But watching the quiet scene unfold, a strange sense of contentment began to settle over him.
For a fleeting moment, he found himself thinking, <i>Maybe </i><i>this </i><i>isn’t </i><i>so </i>bad,
The thought startled him.
*Mama….
La babbled her tiny fingers twitching as she reached out at the air.
Maybe it was the unfamiliar face or childlike curiosity, <b>but </b>her big round eyes locked onto Finn. Clear and innocent.
So bright. So pure<i>. </i>
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Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce
He’d seen the clearestke, but not even that could match the rity in her gaze.
Finn’s heart gave a sudden jolt, frozen in that
very moment.
Why? Everyone said this child wasn’t his. He knew it shouldn’t be possible. Why did she look so much like him?
“Thank you for your help,” Tess said quietly, her tone polite but firm. “But it’s gettingte; you should leave.”
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