Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Paige noticed both of them in the room and said, “I need to leave because I have something to attend to this afternoon.”
River nodded and replied, “Alright. I won’t send you downstairs then.”
“Goodbye,” Scott said gently.
Paige waved and exited the room.
After Paige left, Scott checked Liora’s body temperature. Upon noticing her fever nearing 40°C, Scott frowned and stated, “I’ll give her an injection to reduce her fever.”
River asked after the injection, “How long until her fever goes down?
Scott said, “If there’s no inflammation, her fever should subside quickly.”
River nodded, and they sat together on the sofa while Scott packed his things.
Scott turned to River and asked, “Can you tell me what happened now?”
River sipped her juice and explained what she had learned from Paige.
Scott frowned and glanced worriedly at Liora. “I’m concerned that Liora might develop psychological trauma from this incident.”
River suggested, “Wouldn’t it be better if you stayed with her? She’s been constantly calling out for you, after all.”
Scott’s expression darkened. “Based on what you told me, Lia may not necessarily be calling out for me.”
River was surprised. “So, you’re saying that Lia is calling out to Noah?”
“Yes. Lia has always wanted a father. She might become even more dependent on Noah after tonight’s incident,” Scott explained, leaning against the sofa.
River fell silent, and Scott continued to look at her. “What will you do if Lla needs her father?”
River averted her gaze. “I haven’t thought about it.”
Scott genti gently turned River’s head to face him. “River, now is not the time to avoid this.”
River panicked and withdrew her hand from Scott’s. “I don’t know, but I let Lia make the choice.”
Scott held River’s hand firmly. “You’ll have to address this issue sooner or later. As Lia grows up. the out of selfishness?”
River couldn’t bear the thought of Liora quarreling with her because of Noah. She was pained by Scott’s words, which hit too close to home.
“There’s another concern regarding Liora’s psychological well–being.” Scott said.
River clasped her hands tightly and asked, “Are you suggesting that Lia might develop psychological trauma from this incident?”
“Yes. If she needs her father, I recommend that you and Noah work together to care for Lia,” Scott suggested with a bitter smile.
River looked down, struggling with her emotions. “What about you? Won’t you be upset if I team up with Noah to care for Lia?” 1
“River, right now, the priority is the child. Our personal matters can wait,” Scott said seriously.
River couldn’t argue but felt overwhelming guilt.
Liora didn’t wake up until noon, so Scott returned to the hospital after prescribing some medicine.
Liora woke up shortly after, and her body temperature had returned to normal.
River sat beside her and asked, “Are you hungry, Lia? Do you feel unwell?”
Liora looked around the room before meeting River’s eyes.
Her soft voice was hoarse as she whispered, “Mommy.”
River gently caressed her face and reassured her, “I’m here.”
Liora blinked and asked, “Where’s Daddy?”
River’s body instantly tensed. Did Scott’s guess come true?
With a worried look, River asked, “Lia, are you looking for Papa Wilson?”
“No,” Liora stated firmly.
Realizing her mistake, Liora corrected herself, saying, “I misspoke.”
River’s heart ached as she saw Liora’s expression.
‘Is Lia saying this to spare my feelings? Have my selfish actions kept the children away from their father?” River wondered.
“Lia, you didn’t misspeak. Do you want to see your father?” River managed a forced smile.
Liora looked cautiously at River and softly replied, “Hmm.”
Emotions overwhelmed River. “If you need your father, I can take you to see him.”
Liora shook her head vigorously, not wanting to be separated from her mother.
“Mommy, no… I don’t want to leave you, but… Liora’s eyes filled with tears.
“Hmm?”
“But Daddy saved me, and I…” Liora couldn’t find the courage to continue..
“You want Daddy and Mommy to be with you, right?” River helped complete Liora’s sentence.
Liora nodded slowly. “Daddy is the hero who saved me. I don’t hate Daddy anymore, but you’re more important to me than he is.”
Liora licked her lips and asked, “Mommy, why don’t you like Daddy?”
“I don’t not like Daddy. On the contrary, I like him very much,” River replied with a bitter smile.
River’s eyes lit up. “So, can you be with Daddy, Mommy?”
“We can’t be together just because we like each other. Many complicated stories between us prevent us from being together.”
*Is it because of those stories that we haven’t told Daddy that I’m his child?” Liora asked.
River nodded. “Will you blame me for keeping you from your father’s love, Lia?”
Liora shook her head and hugged River tightly. “I won’t. If you can secretly like Daddy in your heart, I can too!”
Tears welled up in River’s eyes. “I don’t want to keep you from your father’s love, but if you need it, I can try to provide it for you.”
Liora said, “Tyler and Axel also need Daddy and Mommy very much, but they don’t want to pressure you. I don’t want to make things difficult for you either.”
River sobbed and said, “Wait for me, Lia. I’ll become stronger so I can tell your father the truth.”
“Hmm!”
River released her hug. “Lia, about last night…”
Liora crossed her arms. “I was scared, but Eira had talked to me about this before.”
River was surprised. “What?”
“Hehehe! Eira told me that beautiful girls sometimes encounter bad people. I’m a beautiful girl.” Liora covered her face with the blanket.
“How is Lia still capable of brainwashing herself after encountering this incident? River wondered.
“Then?” River asked.
Liora gazed at River, her eyes gleaming brightly. “Eira told me not to panic in situations like this and advised me to run if I couldn’t fight.
“So, I followed Eira’s advice and just kept running. It’s a shame that the bad man eventually caught up to me. But then, Daddy appeared and kicked the bad man away! He was amazing!
“I might be scared for a little while, but I’m strong. A beautiful girl should always be careful and brave in the face of difficulties.”
River couldn’t help but think, ‘Why does it seem like Llora is subtly comforting me?’
As she pondered, the door swung open. Tyler entered the room and asked, “Mommy, is Lia awake?”
River stepped aside and said, “She’s awake and doing pretty well.”
Confused by River’s remark, Tyler approached the bed..
As he looked at Liora, the thought that she might be terrified to the point of mental paralysis crossed Tyler’s mind.
Anxiously, Tyler extended his hand and waved it in front of Liora’s face.
“Are you alright, Lia?” he asked.
Liora replied, “I’m fine! Since a bad man ambushed me, it means I’m too beautiful!”
Tyler withdrew his hand, teasing, “Oh! You must be fine since you’re complimenting yourself so vainly.”
Liora sat up. “Who’s being vain? Please explain yourself clearly, Tyler!”
Tyler tutted in contempt and said, “I’ve never met anyone who compliments their own beauty.”