Hackett could sense the insincerity in her response, but he chose not to confront her.


    "Mommy, why are you crying? Did someone hurt your feelings? Alex, disying a surprising level of maturity for his age. gently wiped away her tears. Valeria mustered a smile. "No. I just got a bit of sand in my eyes. Did you have a good time ying? Did you remember to drink some water?"Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I did, but those strange Grandpa and Grandma kept insisting I drink water, and I didn''t like it, Alex pouted, his face filled with a hint of frustration. Valeria yfully bopped his nose. "Mommy asked them to ensure you stay hydrated, so you need to be a good boy and listen to them." ""Hmph" Alex huffed and turned his head away.


    Meanwhile, yton and Mrs. Maddox, being of an older generation, approached at a more leisurely pace, unable to keep up with Alex''s boundless energy


    Valeria gazed at the people gathered and then unexpectedly suggested, "How about we all have dinner tonight? How about we have dinner together tonight at our ce? My friend is an excellent cook." yton and Mrs. Maddox were pleasantly surprised by the invitation, as they hadn''t expected Valeria to make such gesture. They epted without hesitation.


    "That sounds wonderful! We''re free tonight," Mrs. Maddox replied with a joyful smile, appreciating Valeria''s unexpected


    offer.


    yton nodded in agreement, saying. Tm in, too. I haven''t had enough ytime with Alex yet."


    Hackett remained quiet, sensing that Valeria had something important on her mind, which appeared to be quite substantial.


    After returning to River Valley, Valeria disyed an unusual demeanor, often appearing lost in thought.


    After returning, Alexined of fatigue and expressed a desire to sleep, leaving everyone puzzled except Valeria, who understood that something was wrong with her son''s health. ""Mommy, I''m tired"


    "I know, How about Mommy carries you to bed for a nap?"


    "Okay..


    Valeria then carried Alex toward the bedroom, but Mrs. Maddox couldn''t help but speak up, "But Alex hasn''t eaten yet. Let him have something to eat before sleeping. We can''t let him go to bed on an empty stomach." Withoutpleting her sentence, she was silenced by a pointed look from yton, signaling her to keep quiet.


    Valeria paid them no mind and carried Alex to the bedroom.


    Hackett furrowed his brow, increasingly sensing that something was amiss. He nned to find an opportunity to inquireter, although Valeria might not be forting.


    After the bedroom door closed, yton nced at Loretta and remarked, "We shouldn''t interfere with how she''s raising her child. She''s been caring for him for four years, and he''s grown up just fine without our involvement."  BG-


    "I understand, I was just trying to help...".


    yton sighed, realizing their concern may have been unwarranted, particrly as Valeria had not yet agreed to recognize their rtionship.


    After some time, Valeria emerged from the bedroom, and it was then that E had finished preparing dinner and invited them to join.


    The group settled around the dining table, each taking their seats.


    Mrs. Maddox couldn''t help but voice her concern for Alex, saying. "Did you leave some food for Alex? He''s likely to be hungry when he wakes up..."


    yton cleared his throat, signaling Loretta to cease her words.


    Valeria reassured them, stating, "Don''t fret. I''ve prepared some food for him. Let''s dine. He''s bound to sleep for a while." Finally, Hackett spoke up, "Yourplexion still appears quite pallid. Have you consulted a doctor?" Valeria responded casually, "Not yet."


    Hackett persisted, "After our meal, I''ll apany you. It''s not out of my way, after all...


    Before the man could finish his sentence, Valeria calmly interjected, "If any of you have some free time in the next few days. it would be greatly appreciated if you could go to the hospital for a bone marrowpatibility test. Alex is ill and in need of a bone marrow transnt"


    Her words left everyone at the dining table in a state of shock. Een E, who had been serving dishes, stood frozen, unable to process the gravity of the situation. yton was the first to react his voice filled with concern. I''m sorry, could you repeat that? What''s happened to Alex? A bone marrow transnt? Is it that serious?" They had only recently reunited with Valeria and Alex. The prospect of a bone marrow transnt was both unexpected and deeply unsettling


    Mrs. Maddox struggled to hold back tears as she looked at Valeria, her face reflecting a mix of shock and concern.


    Hackett finally found his voice, though it quivered with emotion. "What... What are you saying? A bone marrow transnt? Alex... What''s wrong with him?


    Hackett had never seen himself so shaken. His words failed to capture the depth of his turmoil.


    Valeria had expected their reactions and deliberately kept her gaze away from them as she spoke. She knew she couldn''t afford to lose herposure and break into tears now because she had a lot of responsibilities ahead of her.


    She held back her emotions and repeated. The hospital''s test results are in. They''ve diagnosed Alex with astic anemia and need a bone marrow transnt. The chances of a sessful match are higher among direct rtives. So, please, let''s all get tested. I''m begging you."


    The next moment, Mrs. Maddox couldn''t hold back her tears any longer. "My poor child, how could this happen.."


    yton fell into stunned silence, his face showing the shock of the news, unable to take another bite of his meal.


    Finally, Hackett understood the gravity of the situation, realizing the reason behind Valeria''s distress today. It was all about Alex.


    However, he couldn''t shake off his daze. His dark eyes were shocked, and his mind reyed images of Alex happily ying at the amusement park, asionally calling out tired and asking to be carried. He had even teased Alex for being overly Wed,


    delicate.


    Liule did he know that his son was genuinely unwell. At that moment, he deeply regretted not immediately lifting Alex when he had asked to be carried. Why had he mocked Alex''s sekitivity?


    What kind of father was he not to have recognized his child''s difort?


    Hackett sat quietly, tears streaming down his face.


    It was the first time Valeria had ever seen Hackett cry. He hadn''t shed a tear even when Grandpa had passed away.


    Valeria couldn''t hold back her tears either. She lifted her head, determined topose herself, and with a choked voice, she said. "Let''s not be too pessimistic. The doctor said that Alex''s condition was caught early, and with a suitable bone marrow transnt, he could recover quickly. So, what we need to do now is rush to the hospital forpatibility testing"


    "Go, we''ll go with yton tomorrow, we''ll go. Mrs. Maddox''s voice quivered as she spoke, tears welling up again.


    yton, seated beside her, let out a heavy sigh, reflecting on the cruelty of fate. Valeria had already endured so much, and now, Alex faced this ordeal.


    Seeing Mrs. Maddox''s emotional turmoil, Valeria extended her hand and gently rested it on her shoulder. "Please don''t cry. Things will improve."


    B