Sex Addiction ✔

17

Emily's POV.

The car speeds rapidly, and the wheels spin, kicking up snow mist.

There is a dim streetlight every few meters along the roadside, making the car alternately light and dark. I hold Natalie with one arm and use the other to shield her face so she can rest well.

The space is in silence.

At the intersection in front of the hospital, there is a traffic light. Just as we are about to arrive, the light turns red, and the car stops.

The silence continues.

I sense Cayden looking at me through the rearview mirror, so I lower my head and look at Natalie's sleeping face.

"It must be hard for you to take care of her alone," Cayden suddenly speaks up.

"It's okay," I reply briefly. Being a mother is always tiring, but the child's smile can dispel all the exhaustion.

The car starts again and drives into the hospital.

Cayden opens the car door for us. As I get out, a cold wind hits me.

I fix Natalie's collar and nod to him, "Thank you, bye."

It's indeed hard to get a taxi in the suburbs at night, but this is a hospital, so there are taxis available 24 hours. I can take Natalie home in a taxi later.

"I'll take you inside," Cayden says, taking the child from my arms.

"Hey," I stand there in a daze as he strides towards the emergency department.

I bite my lip and follow him.

Even at night, the hospital is still bustling.

After inquiring about Natalie's condition, the doctor writes an order for a blood test.

Cayden picks up the child again and follows the signs to the blood draw window.

I watch Cayden's shoulder, seeing Natalie's little face flushed with fever, realizing she is very sick. Normally, she would kick and cry if a stranger held her.

At the blood draw window, I hand the test order to the nurse on duty. She takes a glance and starts preparing.

The hospital lighting is always pale and cold, making the needle look even more terrifying.

Cayden holds Natalie and, following the nurse's instructions, extends her hand into the window.

The nurse uses a cotton swab to apply iodine to Natalie's fingertip and gently reassures her, "Sweetie, don't be afraid, I'll be very gentle, it won't hurt."

I swallow hard.

How can it not hurt?

I cried every time I got a shot as a child, but once it was over, I didn't feel myself too pitiful.

But as a mother watching a needle go into her child's body, it's a completely different feeling.

I involuntarily hold my breath, half-open my mouth, and stare at the needle in the nurse's hand.

When the needle pricks Natalie's fingertip, Cayden reaches out and covers her eyes.

His large, strong hand makes me momentarily dazed.

I inexplicably recall a late night in London. During a break in our lovemaking, I randomly played a movie on my computer and accidentally picked a horror film. Maybe calling it a horror film is an exaggeration because the poster showed a normal face. But in the film, when the pupils disappeared and the eyes turned completely white, I was still startled.