Juan’s large eyes gleamed as he pouted. Mommy’s actually making such a joke, but it’s not funny at all!
“Okay, let’s eat.”
Evan placed the fork into Nicole’s hand. For the entire dinner, Nicole only ate the vegetables. She did not dare to touch the roasted fish which she thought had cried out in pain.
After dinner, the four children, Sheila and Stephen chatted in the living room. As she did not dare to stay for long, she came up with an excuse and returned to her bedroom.
Kyle, who was a good observer, gazed at her back and remarked, “Mommy’s complexion doesn’t seem too good.”
Avril smiled. “Well, she’s just gotten back together with your Dad. This is all because of him. You should settle the score with him instead.”
The four of them fell silent, not really understand what she was saying. Juan asked, “Are you saying that Daddy’s bullying Mommy?”
Avril nodded. “But, in my opinion, both of them are willing parties. You little brats shouldn’t be too nosy about what the adults are doing.”
Nina sighed. “Ms. Avril is right. Daddy and Mommy keep on separating and getting back together. Since we can’t do anything about it, let’s just not be nosy.”
“Yeah. Grandpa, tell us a story.”
“Okay, I’ll think of one.”
Stephen gazed at the children affectionately, thinking that it was a source of comfort to tell stories to them.
After all, he had not fulfilled his responsibility of raising Nicole. Now, he could make up for his regret by taking care of these kids well.
Avril cut up some fruits and placed them on the table so they could eat and listen at the same time.
In the bedroom upstairs, Nicole stared at her pale reflection in her mirror while losing herself in her thoughts. Chaotic images kept surfacing in her mind.
She could not figure out why she had mistaken Evan for Zane, and why she had seemingly heard the fish calling out in pain.
Her eyes were fixated on her reflection in the mirror, curious to see if her face would morph into someone else’s.
When she saw the bedroom door open and Evan entering, she quickly hid her worried expression.
Noticing her poor complexion, Evan walked towards her, held her hand, and gently coaxed, “Go and bathe, then have a good night’s sleep.”
“Okay.” Nicole nodded gently.
Perhaps, if she had a good sleep, her exhaustion and bouts of hallucination would disappear. In that case, she could finally return to her normal state.
Looking forward to that, she grabbed her pajamas and headed to the bathroom.
Evan had thoughtfully filled the bathtub with water and even tested the temperature with his hand. It was at the right temperature—neither too warm nor too cold.
“Have a long bath to soothe yourself.”
“Okay.”
Nicole smiled gently and lowered herself into the white bathtub. Afterward, Evan gently exited the bathroom.
Wisps of steam encircled the bathroom, while the warm water flowed around her gently. It felt very soothing and relaxing, as if she were having a massage.
Nicole gently closed her eyes and rested.
However, a short moment later, she suddenly smelled the metallic stench of blood. Opening her eyes in confusion, she became petrified.
She was bathing in blood!
Every inch of her skin was soaking in blood, which was so glaringly red. The strong stench of blood started to fill her nostrils.
Her heart beat frantically as she let out a terrified shriek. “Argh!” She stood up in a fluster and jumped out of the bathtub, as if she were escaping for her life.
Evan rushed in after hearing her scream. When he saw her standing outside the bathtub in terror, he instantly dashed toward her. He held her hand and asked worriedly, “What’s wrong?”
“Blood! There’s blood everywhere!”
Nicole’s eyes were filled with fear. After speaking, she spun around and looked at the bathtub. However, when she noticed that it was filled with clear water, her eyes widened.
It’s filled with blood just now! Why did it become water?
While she was in a daze, she suddenly realized that she might be hallucinating.
It must have been an illusion!
What’s going on?
Evan scrutinized her from head to toe and asked curiously, “Where’s the blood?”
Nicole mulled over it for a while. Should I let Evan know that I’m hallucinating?
I think I should sleep first and see if the hallucinations will disappear.
Perhaps, I should visit the doctor tomorrow and find out what’s going on before telling him.
