"I'll come check on you later." His voice was low.
Then he left too. I leaned against the headboard, staring at the ceiling, Dr. Reed's words echoing in my head.
"You have Olei."
The sound of the door gently opening broke the silence.
"Mommy?" A small voice came from the doorway.
I turned my head and saw Olei standing there, clutching a piece of paper.
"Can I come in?" He asked softly, his eyes carefully watching me.
"...Come in," I spoke, adjusting my composure.
He tiptoed in and stopped by the bed.
He didn't climb up and throw himself into my arms like usual. These past days, I'd barely left this room. Not like when I'd first beenimprisoned—I'd still play blocks with him in the living room, walk with him in the garden. Now I didn't even want to get out of bed.
"How're you feeling today, Mommy?" He asked, his voice carrying adult-like caution.
"I'm okay." I forced a smile.
He was quiet for a moment, then lifted the paper he was holding and held it out to me.
"This is for you, Mommy." He said.
I took it, looking at the brightly colored, crudely drawn picture. It showed a woman in a golden cape. She held a sword, her foot on a black monster, her blonde hair flying in the wind.
"This is..." My voice wavered.
"It's Mommy," Olei explained earnestly. "Mommy is brave and strong. You defeated the monster."
My nose stung. Olei was telling me in his own way that he believed I could beat the monsters in my life.
"I hope Mommy gets better soon." Olei's voice was muffled, like he was trying to hold something back. "I'll be really, really good. I won't cause trouble for Mommy."
Tears spilled from my eyes. I set the picture aside and pulled him into my arms, holding him tight.
"Mommy..." His small hands wrapped around my neck, his voice panicked. "Why are you crying?"
"It's nothing." My voice came out hoarse and unrecognizable. "Mommy's just so happy. It's beautiful, baby."
He shifted in my arms, leaning close to my ear. "Mommy, did Daddy bully you?"
I froze.
"If Daddy bullied you, I'll protect you. I'm a big boy now." He continued.
I looked at his worried, determined little face. My chest tightened.
"No, baby." I tried to make my voice sound normal. "Mommy's just sick. I need to rest for a while."
"Like when I had a fever?" He asked.
"Something like that." I ruffled his hair.
"Then Mommy needs to drink lots of water and sleep a lot." He said seriously.
