Chapter 265 Felix Feels
Unwell
“Felix! Slow down, slow down!”
Felix’s little feet pitter–pattered across the garden as Esme hurried behind him, her face a mix of worry and joy.
Eric sat beneath the grape trellis, holding a newspaper. He glanced at it from time to time, but his gaze often drifted toward the two of them running around—grandchild and grandmother—enjoying the moment.
It was clear that all three of them were savoring the moment. People often said the bond between grandparents and grandchildren was something special. Felix had rarely known the warmth of family before. He often envied the other children who had fathers and grandparents, but he was a mature child and never voiced his feelings in front of Renee.
Now, here he was, running joyfully through the flowers, his smile as radiant as the spring sun, calling out, “Grandma! Grandma!”
“Felix, slow down! Be careful!” Esme called, afraid to chase him too fast, knowing that the more she hurried, the faster he would run. If he fell, her heart would break.
Suddenly, Felix stopped and rubbed his eyes. Esme caught up with him, crouching down to him with concern. “What’s wrong with your eyes? Did some dust get in? Let me have a look.”
Felix lowered his hands without a fuss, letting Esme inspect his eyes.
As Esme leaned closer to examine him, Felix let out a sudden sneeze.
“Achoo!”
“Oh dear, you just sneezed!” Esme exclaimed.
“Is Felix catching a chill?” Eric called out from nearby after hearing the sneeze, his voice tinged with concern.
“No, he has just been running and sweating,” Esme answered, though her worry remained. She gently placed a hand on Felix’s back, noticing it was damp with sweat. “Felix, you’re all sweaty. Let’s take a break now, okay? You might catch a cold.”
Felix nodded and looked up at her, saying, “Grandma, my eyes are itchy.”
Esme hadn’t noticed anything unusual when she had checked his eyes earlier, so she didn’t think much of it. “It’s probably just the wind. Come on, let’s go back inside.”
Esme took Felix’s hand and guided him back toward the house, with Eric following closely behind. Eric noticed Felix rubbing his eyes repeatedly. In the short distance from the garden to the house, Felix sneezed several times in a row.
Eric’s brow furrowed, and he quickened his pace to catch up with Felix.
“Felix, come over here. Let Grandpa check on you.” Eric crouched down to inspect him and immediately noticed that Felix’s eyes were red and swollen, and his breathing seemed slightly strained.
Esme also sensed that something was wrong, and her worry deepened. “What’s going on? How did his eyes get so red so quickly?”
Felix continued to sneeze uncontrollably, his voice trembling as he said, “Grandpa, Grandma, I don’t feel good.”
“Eric, hurry! Carry him to the room and call the doctor over!” Esme’s voice trembled with urgency. She quickly turned to head back inside, glancing anxiously at Felix as she did.
Eric didn’t hesitate and immediately lifted Felix into his arms to carry him
into the room.
“Olivia! Olivia! Come quickly!” Esme called as she moved.
Olivia, who had been busy in the kitchen, rushed out at Esme’s frantic call, still holding a spatula. “Mrs. Mitchell, what’s wrong?”
She glanced up and saw Eric carrying Felix inside, her concern deepening instantly. “Oh no! What’s going on? Is there something wrong with Felix?”
“There’s no time to explain! Call the doctor right away!” Esme said in an urgent tone.
Olivia dashed off to make the call.
Esme rushed to pour a glass of warm water.
Eric gently laid Felix on the sofa, and Esme arrived with the water. As she knelt down to check on Felix, a startled cry escaped her.
“Eric! What’s happening? Look, look! What’s wrong with the child?”
