Chapter 358
+25 BONUS
Harvey practiced with Merida for over an hour. By the end of it, his chest heaved violently, and his breathing was heavy and labored. The sound of it was echoing clearly in the empty basketball gym.
Sweat poured from his head like a flood, drenching his dark hair, which clung to his forehead. It even softens his usually sharp features. It looked like he was standing in the rain as sweat streamed down his cheeks.
Harvey had already taken off his jacket and the sweater vest he’d been wearing underneath. His navy–blue moisture–wicking shirt was soaked through, and the fabric was darkened by sweat.
He bent slightly at the waist, relying on sheer willpower to keep himself from collapsing. But his legs felt like they were made of cement, and he could barely lift them to walk.
Merida jumped down from the raised platforms. She was still in her performance outfit, her cheeks flushed and tiny strands of hair sticking to her sweaty forehead.
She ran over to Elara, who handed her Merida’s personal water bottle. While Merida gulped down the water, Elara took a small towel and reached into the back of Merida’s collar to wipe her back.
Elara crouched down and felt inside Merida’s clothes. “Your clothes are soaked. Let’s go change, okay?”
“Okay.” Merida nodded obediently.
Elara took her to the changing room. She had prepared several changes of clothes for Merida, even bringing extra pairs of shoes and socks. When Merida took off her socks, she realized they were damp too.
After changing into dry clothes and fresh socks and shoes, Merida stood by the sink while Elara wet a washcloth to clean her face and hands.
Once they were done, Elara handed Merida the container of fruit she had prepared earlier, along with a chocolate bar to quickly replenish her energy.
Merida then sat down on a chair, her little legs dangling and swinging in the air.
Afterward, Elara walked over to Beau and handed him the plastic container of oranges. “Do you want some?”
Beau’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly took the container from Elara. He looked down and instinctively blurted out, “I don’t like the pith on the oranges.”
His words were met with silence from Elara. Beau then looked up and saw that Elara was about to walk away.
Panicked, he raised his voice and said, “I don’t like the pith on the oranges!”
Elara turned back and held out her hand. “If you don’t want it, you can give the oranges back to me.”
Beau sat in his wheelchair, his eyes red like a little rabbit’s as he asked, “Why didn’t you remove the pith for me, Mommy?”
Elara told him calmly, “Because I’m not your mommy anymore.”
Beau’s nostrils flared, and his lips trembled slightly. His eyes, once as clear as a lake, were now clouded with tears.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he asked in a choked voice, “If you’re not my mommy anymore, why did you give me the oranges?”
Elara’s expression remained calm. “You came to watch Merida rehearse, and you’re her classmate. Since you’re a child, and Merida has fruit, I’ll share some with you too.
“As for removing the pith, that’s no longer my responsibility.“”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 358
Hearing Elara’s words, hot tears spilled from Beau’s eyes. The tears streamed down his cheeks and fell, soaking the collar of his shirt.
Elara then turned and walked away.
Beau lowered his head, staring at the peeled oranges in the plastic container. A choked sob escaped his throat.
