Chapter 90 Grenade!


    Lucille had been silently watching the subtle changes in Abel’s expression from the sidelines. She waspletely fascinated. For a brief moment, silence settled over the three of them.


    Each lost in their own thoughts–Tess, ironically, was the only one who felt at ease.


    Then suddenly, La began to fuss.


    MARY


    It was precisely this quiet that allowed Tess to notice something odd about La in the stroller. Unlike earlier, when she had been curious and obedient, La’s tiny face was now scrunched up, her hands iling as if searching for something to hold


    onto.


    Tess’s heart instantly clenched.


    “What’s wrong?”


    She bent down and scooped La into her arms, gently bouncing her to soothe her.


    Normally, that would’ve made La p and giggle, but now she only whimpered softly, her expression twisted in difort.


    Lucille stepped closer and looked at La’s diaper. “Did she pee?”


    Tess shook her head.


    She had just changed her before they left.


    A wave of unease crept into her chest. She reached up to feel La’s forehead.


    After all the fevers and stomach issues recently, every small change made Tess tense with worry.


    Watching La behave so unusually, she made a quick decision.


    I should head back,” she said.


    Lucille seemed to read her mind and immediately pulled Abel closer like offering a prized treasure.


    As soon as the man stood beside her, her fingers trembled slightly before she quickly withdrew them. Still, she smiled brightly and offered, “It’s hard to carry a baby and handle the stroller. Let Abel walk you home. If you’re notfortable with that, at least let him push the stroller.”


    Abel nced at Tess and nodded. “You carry the baby, I’ll take the stroller–or, I can carry both.”


    Tess hesitated for a moment before giving him a small, grateful nod. “Thank you.”


    La seemed to calm down in her arms, and truthfully, the stroller was bing a burden.


    Although Lucille and Abel seemed a little strange, their offer felt genuine. They really did seem to want to help.


    Abel walked over to the stroller and ced his hand on the same spot Tess had been holding. A subtle jolt of warmth shot through him like an electric current, making his heart tingle with a strange softness.


    It had been a long time since he’d felt this kind of joy.


    His fingers curled tightly around the handle.


    <i>I </i>should’vee to Aetheris much <i>sooner</i>.


    His gaze lingered intently on Tess.


    She was busy calming La and didn’t notice the soft, affectionate look he gave her.


    Lucille didn’t follow them. She stayed behind, watching them from afar.


    Just as they reached the edge of the park, a sharp bark suddenly rang out.


    Tess’s brows furrowed, and her arms instinctively tightened around La as the baby began squirming.


    A strange sense of dread rose in her chest.


    La’s face was still rosy–she didn’t look sick, but her growing restlessness was unsettling.


    “Grenade!”


    Then came a shout from the distance.


    Tess flinched instinctively, and before she could even process what was happening, the barking grew louder. A medium–sized golden retriever came charging straight at them like a bullet.


    Tess’s pupils contracted sharply. Abel’s once calm eyes turned razor sharp. Without a moment’s hesitation, he stepped forward and positioned himself between her and the oing dog.


    “Woof! Woof!”


    The golden retriever–Grenade–charged past Abel as if he wasn’t even there.<fn9bd0> Fresh chapters posted on find(?)ovel</fn9bd0>


    Its bloodshot eyes locked onto the baby in Tess‘ arms, baring its teeth with a feral snarl.


    Tess froze, her mind nk with shock. A jolt of fear shot straight up her spine.


    Before she could even react, a powerful arm yanked the dog away from her and La in one swift motion.


    Grenade let out a sharp yelp as Abel flung him aside and followed with a hard kick. The dog tumbled across the ground while whimpering loudly.


    Tess gasped, her chest rising and falling with shaky breaths. Only then did her legs finally move, stumbling back as the shock wore off.


    Abel stood firmly in front of her like a wall, shielding them both. His eyes zed with fury.


    Just then, the dog’s owner came running over in panic. “I’m so sorry! I have no idea why Grenade lost it–he’s never done that before. <i>Are </i>you all okay?”


    His eyes darted nervously to Tess and La.


    “Why wasn’t it leashed? This is a residential area!”


    Abel’s tone turned sharp andmanding, the aura around him suddenly oppressive.


    The man–Jamie–visibly flinched. But he managed a nervous, sheepish smile. “I–I really am sorry. Grenade used to be a police dog. He’s trained, I swear. Everyone in the neighborhood knows him.”


    Abel was unmoved. I’m calling the police. You can exin yourself to them.”


    Jamie’s face twisted, his tone shifting from apologetic to defensive. “No one got hurt! Why would you call the cops?”


    He rushed over to where Grenadey whimpering and tried to lift the dog gently.


    Abel hadn’t held back with that kick. The golden retriever was now lying limp, struggling to get up.


    Jamie’s hand brushed over the dog’s side, and his eyes red with anger. “I already apologized–and my dog’s the one who’s injured! 1 should be asking <i>you </i>forpensation! And now you’re threatening to call the police?!”