Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

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The night was long and filled with worry. Mia’s soft coughing echoed through the dimly lit room, punctuated by the occasional low moan as her fever spiked and ebbed throughout the hours. Jin sat by her side, his eyes heavy with exhaustion but unwilling to leave her alone. He had never seen her so weak before, and it tugged at something deep inside him.

Jiwoon lay next to Mia, his small body curled up by her side, holding her hand even as he slept. Every time Mia stirred or coughed, he would shift closer, trying in his own little way to comfort her. Despite his age, he sensed something was wrong, and his instinct to stay close to Mia never wavered.

Jin stood up, gently checking her forehead again. The heat radiating from her skin worried him. He had already given her more fever-reducing medicine, but it seemed to only have a temporary effect. Mia’s face was pale, her breathing uneven as she drifted in and out of sleep, her body battling the fever that refused to break.

He sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility settle over him. As he sat back down in the chair beside the bed, his eyes went to Jiwoon, who hadn’t stirred much except to hold on to Mia’s arm a little tighter. The little boy’s innocent face was peaceful in sleep, but Jin knew how much his son cared for Mia. He was doing everything in his small power to help her.

The hours crawled by slowly. Every few minutes, Jin would wet a cloth and place it on Mia’s forehead, wiping her neck and hands to keep her temperature from rising too high. Her breathing remained labored, and she shivered despite the blankets piled on top of her. Jin couldn’t sleep. The thought of something happening to Mia, even if it was just a fever, gnawed at him.

By morning, her fever had subsided slightly, but she was still weak and barely responsive. Jin decided to take the day off from work, knowing that Mia needed him and that Jiwoon wouldn’t leave her side either. The little boy woke up early, blinking sleepily as he noticed Mia was still not feeling well. His small face filled with concern as he crawled closer to her, gently touching her hand.

“Is Mia okay, Daddy?” Jiwoon asked, his voice soft and worried.

Jin smiled weakly, ruffling his son’s hair. “She’ll be okay, buddy. She just needs a little more rest.”

Jiwoon nodded, but his expression remained serious. He sat up and looked down at Mia, who was still sleeping fitfully. “Can I help, Daddy? Maybe I can bring her water like she does for me when I’m sick.”

Jin’s heart swelled with pride and love for his son. “That’s a great idea. Let’s get her some water together.”

Jiwoon eagerly followed Jin downstairs to the kitchen, where they prepared a glass of water for Mia. Jiwoon insisted on carrying the cup himself, his small hands carefully balancing it as they returned to the bedroom.

Once back upstairs, Jin helped Mia sit up slightly, propping her up against the pillows. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she looked up at Jin and Jiwoon, though she still seemed disoriented from the fever. Jin gently held the glass to her lips, coaxing her to take small sips.

Mia managed a few sips before sinking back against the pillows, her eyes half-closed with exhaustion. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jiwoon, still standing beside the bed, climbed back up and lay next to Mia again. He placed his hand on her shoulder, patting her lightly. “You’re gonna get better soon, Mia. I’m here to help.”

Mia smiled weakly, her heart warmed by Jiwoon’s innocent care. She reached out, her hand shaking slightly as she ruffled his hair. “You’re my hero, Jiwoon,” she whispered.

The rest of the day passed slowly, with Jin and Jiwoon taking turns checking on Mia. Jin made sure to give her medicine on time, and he spent the rest of the day doing light household tasks, cooking meals, and cleaning up after Jiwoon. But his mind was always on Mia. Every time he passed by her room, he would peek in to check on her, making sure she was still breathing evenly and her fever hadn’t spiked again.

Jiwoon, ever the helpful little boy, insisted on staying close to Mia. He brought her small toys from his room, thinking that they might cheer her up, and he would sit beside her bed, quietly playing with his toys while she rested. At one point, he even tried reading her a story, though his young voice stumbled over some of the bigger words. Still, Mia smiled softly whenever she heard him, grateful for the distraction.

By the time the sun began to set, Mia’s fever had dropped significantly, and she was finally able to stay awake for longer periods. Though still weak, she was no longer shivering uncontrollably, and her coughing had subsided. Jin, seeing the improvement, allowed himself to relax slightly, though he remained vigilant.

As the evening rolled around, Jiwoon climbed onto the bed next to Mia once more, cuddling up beside her. He rested his head on her arm, his eyes wide and serious as he looked up at her.

“Do you feel better, Mia?” Jiwoon asked softly, his voice full of concern.

Mia nodded, smiling down at him. “I’m feeling a little better, thanks to you, my little doctor.”

Jiwoon beamed at her words, snuggling closer to her. “I’m glad. I don’t like it when you’re sick.”

Jin watched the interaction from the doorway, his heart swelling with emotions he hadn’t expected. He was used to being the one to care for Jiwoon, but seeing how much Mia had become a part of their lives, how much Jiwoon loved her and how much she cared for him in return, made him realize just how important she had become to their little family.

Later that night, when Jiwoon finally drifted off to sleep, Jin sat down in the chair beside Mia once more. The two of them exchanged a long, quiet look, filled with unspoken understanding. Mia was still weak, but the worst of her fever seemed to have passed, and she was starting to regain some of her strength.

“Thank you,” Mia said softly, her voice still hoarse from the long day of illness. “You didn’t have to take care of me like this.”

Jin shook his head, his expression gentle. “Of course I did. You’ve done so much for us. It’s only fair we take care of you when you need it.”

Mia smiled at his words, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “I’m lucky to have you both.”

Jin looked down at Jiwoon, who was still fast asleep, his small hand clutching Mia’s arm even in his sleep. “No, we’re the lucky ones,” Jin said quietly, his eyes soft as he looked at her.

Mia’s eyes fluttered closed, a soft smile still on her lips as she drifted off to sleep, finally feeling safe and cared for. Jin watched her for a long time, his heart heavy with emotions he hadn’t expected. He had never thought he’d feel this way about anyone again after Mina, but Mia… she was different. She had become an irreplaceable part of his life, and the way she cared for Jiwoon, the way she had integrated herself into their lives so seamlessly, made him wonder if maybe, just maybe, they could be something more than employer and nanny.

As the night deepened, Jin stayed by Mia’s side, watching over her and Jiwoon, knowing that their little family had just grown stronger through the trials of the day.