Chapter 112: Spoiling

The nurse glanced at the pulse oximeter clipped to Elara’s tiny finger. The display showed an oxygen saturation of 98% and a pulse rate of 112 beats per minute. Satisfied with the readings, she carefully removed the sensor and turned toward the anxious parents.

"Her oxygen saturation is at 98%, and her pulse rate is normal for her age. Her condition appears stable."

Kai and Jean exchanged relieved smiles.

Kai had already sensed that his little girl was doing better, but receiving that reassurance from a medical professional brought him a different kind of comfort. After everything they had been through, knowing that she was finally out of danger allowed some of the tension he had been carrying to ease.

"Should we continue monitoring her condition?" Jean asked, her voice noticeably lighter than before.

The nurse shook her head. "There’s no need for continuous monitoring at home if she continues to recover well. As long as she’s eating, breathing comfortably, and behaving as usual, those are encouraging signs. However, I’ll visit the little princess again later this weekend to check on her progress."

Jean nodded with a grateful smile. "Thank you."

The nurse smiled back before turning toward Kai and giving him a polite nod. He returned the gesture and decided to accompany her to the door.

Left alone with Elara, Jean approached the crib and looked down at the energetic little fluff ball. The girl seemed entirely occupied with counting the bars in front of her, her tiny fingers moving from one to the next as though she had discovered something fascinating.

Jean reached out and gently pressed a finger against the tip of her nose.

"Mm... maaa..." Elara protested with a little groan, catching her mother’s finger and holding it as if to stop her from causing any further trouble.

Jean shook her head fondly. "You need to stay healthy, you know? You have no idea how anxious you make your Papa."

Although she spoke lightly, the memory of Elara’s illness still weighed heavily on her heart.

Her condition had been frighteningly severe. Jean could still vividly remember the sight of her little girl’s chest struggling with every breath, her breathing harsh and labored as she fought to draw in enough air. The usually energetic child had been so weak that day she could barely remain conscious. She had clung to Jean feebly, looking up at her with those helpless little eyes as though silently begging her mother to save her.

Even thinking about it made Jean’s heart tighten painfully.

And if that experience had been unbearable for her, Kai had suffered in his own way. He had reached a point where he seemed almost incapable of expressing his concern, his face growing so emotionless that anyone else might have mistaken his composure for calmness. But Jean knew him too well to be fooled. She had seen through that expression with a single glance and understood just how terrified he was.

Despite everything he had been feeling, he had forced himself to remain composed so that she wouldn’t panic any further.

And then, in that very state of mind, he had been forced to confront those monsters.

Jean could hardly imagine how he had managed to endure it all.

"Just keep smiling, Elli," she murmured, gently stroking her daughter’s cheek. "Don’t scare us like that again, okay?"

Elara responded with a delighted little giggle as Jean brushed her hand across her face, seemingly unaware of the painful memories her mother was trying to put behind her.

"Meheheh..."

Jean’s expression softened. She leaned closer and continued playing with her little girl, cherishing the simple sound of her laughter. For now, that was all she wanted to hear.

Kai entered the room and found Jean still standing beside the crib, gently playing with their little girl.

"What are you telling her? I hope you’re not scolding her."

Jean turned toward him and narrowed her eyes. "She deserves a little scolding for scaring us like that."

Kai could only offer a helpless smile. "It’s not like she had any control over what happened. Besides, she recovered well and didn’t even fuss that much."

Jean shook her head in exasperation. "See, this is exactly why I need to scold her from time to time. If her daddy keeps showering her with so much affection, she’s going to grow up spoiled."

"Pa...papa!"

Jean was promptly ignored as Kai walked past her and scooped his precious little girl into his arms.

She remained standing beside the crib, one finger raised as though she had been in the middle of making an important argument. After a moment, she let out a sigh and shook her head.

Forget it. There was no point arguing with that man.

"Aww, my poor baby. Did that terrible machine hurt your little finger?" Kai cooed, examining the tiny finger where the pulse oximeter had been clipped.

The pediatric sensor had been designed for little fingers, and there wasn’t even a mark left behind. Nevertheless, seeing Elara’s lips turn into a tiny pout was enough to make Kai blow gently on her finger, as though that alone could soothe any lingering discomfort.

Watching him fuss over their daughter, Jean couldn’t help but smile wryly.

"While you finish healing her so-called injury, I’ll go prepare something for breakfast."

Kai followed her out of the room. "I can make something quickly if you want."

Jean hummed as she walked toward the kitchen. "I know, but I need to get used to the kitchen myself. We’re supposed to be sharing the chores, remember?"

Kai nodded thoughtfully. "Right, but I don’t have anything planned for today."

Jean stopped in her tracks and turned toward him.

"Kai..." Her voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Do you perhaps not like my cooking?"

Kai paused as well, blinking in surprise at the unexpected question. He immediately shook his head.

"Not at all! I absolutely love your cooking. Somehow, it always seems to suit my preferences perfectly."

He let out a quiet sigh before muttering under his breath, "I thought I shouldn’t be spoiling just my one princess and ignore the other."

Jean blinked, momentarily confused. Then, as the meaning behind his words dawned on her, she folded her arms and puffed out her cheeks.

"Who is your princess?"

Kai grinned and took a small step closer.

Standing right in front of her, he lowered his head and whispered, "Right... you’d rather be the Queen, wouldn’t you?"

A reddish hue spread across Jean’s cheeks. She immediately turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes.

Kai’s heart melted at the sight. His gaze lingered on the adorable blush spreading across her exposed cheek, and before he could resist the temptation, he leaned closer and planted a gentle kiss on it.

Jean froze.

She whipped her head around, her eyes widening in disbelief, only to find Kai already walking past her with an entirely innocent expression.

"My baby and I are waiting for a nice, warm breakfast. Don’t keep us waiting too long."

"..."

Jean stood rooted to the spot, her fingers slowly rising to touch the cheek he had kissed.

She... hadn’t imagined that, had she?

°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.