Ethan was taken aback when he saw how worn out Ryan looked. He had a special kind of affection for Ryan, especially since Ethan had just slept with Ryanâs mom the night before.
There was a sort of father-son bond between them.
âIâm fine,â Ryan shook his head, hiding his bitterness. âThanks for coming to see me.â
âRyan, Iâve told you before, even though weâre not related by blood, our relationship is like family,â Ethan said sincerely. âSeeing you like this worries me. You can tell me anything.â
He still had a mission to complete, and if Ryan died prematurely, heâd be at a loss for where to turn.
And over time, what started as just completing a mission had gradually turned into a friendship.
âIâ¦â Ryan struggled, but seeing the sincerity in Ethanâs eyes, he let out a bitter laugh. He was already in bad shape,what was there to hide?
He looked up at the hospital room door, making sure his mom wasnât there, then lowered his voice. âI think my mom has a man.â
âHmm?â Ethanâs interest was piqued. Ryan was quite observant to have noticed in just one night that his mother had been with him.
âIsnât that what Ryan wanted? For Aunt Sofia to have a man to rely on?â
Ethan sneakily glanced at his mission panel.
âWish Name: I hope my mom is happy.â
âMission Description: I hope my mom can have someone to rely on so I can leave this world in peace. Reward: 1000 points. Random skill +1.â
The key was to make Ryan feel that his mom had found happiness.
Ethan was very confident in his âabilities,â believing that after last night, Sofia must be very happy. The special charm that a satisfied woman exudes is not something that can be faked.
âAh, but itâs too soon,â Ryan sighed softly. âIâm worried heâs a frivolous man, only after my momâs body and money.â
âHmm,â Ethan grunted, a bit annoyed. This guy sure had a lot of concerns. Completing this mission wasnât going to be easy. âRyan, youâre really underestimating Aunt Sofia.â
âYour mom is strong. Aunt Sofia is so beautiful, and over the years, sheâs seen all kinds of men. I think she must have chosen someone who can withstand any test among her suitors.â
âYeah,â Ryan said, his face brightening a bit. âThanks, Ethan. I was overthinking it.â
Ethan was silent. Ryan said he was overthinking, but the mission hadnât shown as completed.
So he didnât believe it at all.
Ethan chatted with him a bit more, maintaining their relationship and assessing his mental state.
Until Sofia came in.
âRyan, Iâm going to head back now. Oh, and I have some comics for you. Iâll bring them next time,â Ethan said as Sofia pushed him out the door, waving goodbye to Ryan.
âYeah, sure,â Ryan smiled, feeling comforted by Ethanâs consistent, selfless concern. Meeting such a friend in the final stages of his life made him feel gently cared for by the world.
Sofia pushed Ethanâs wheelchair back to the hospital room.
Ethan kept trying to hold this beautiful womanâs slender, fair hand, but she dodged him several times and even slapped his wandering hand away.
âAunt Sofia, no one will come to my room until tonight,â he said, eyeing her.
She was dressed in a simple womenâs suit, her long hair pinned up, adding a touch of efficiency and allure to her appearance.
âHmph,â Sofia snorted, well aware of the boyâs intentions. She pushed his wheelchair to the bed, lifted him, and placed him back on the bed:
âLetâs pretend last night never happened. I must have been crazy to agree to such nonsense.â
After tasting the thrill once, it felt like a release of something she had held back for over a decade, leaving her feeling refreshed but deeply regretful.
Upon reflection, it was utterly absurd.
She had actually been involved with a boy younger than her own son, who was also paralyzed, and not just once.
This morning, she had rushed to the pharmacy to buy medicine.
âOh,â Ethan watched Sofia with a smile curling at the corners of his mouth. âSo, my affair with Aunt Sofia lasted just one day? No more chances in the future?â
Sofia took a deep breath, sitting sideways on the edge of the bed, looking at Ethan with a gentle voice, âIâm sorry, Ethan. As an adult, I shouldnât repeat last nightâs mistake.â
âAlright,â Ethan chuckled. âThen letâs make today the last time, to properly finish what we started.â
âYou,â Sofia was exasperated, âare you even listening to me?â
âI am,â Ethan said, placing his hand on Sofiaâs thigh. âJust one last time, donât you want to experience yesterdayâs climax again? Itâd be a shame to never feel that again.â
Sofiaâs eyes flickered with conflict.
Ethan didnât give her time to think, gripping her hand and looking into her eyes with a face full of affection, as if they were not lovers but in a sweet romantic relationship.
Sofia turned her head away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
She felt her heartbeat quicken. Women her age really had little resistance to young, strong menâit was like a childâs pleading.
It had already gone this far, just one last time.
The curtains were drawn shut, the door to the hospital room closed.
In the room, the young man lay on the hospital bed, Sofia leaning over him, her slender figure belying her voluptuousness.
Sofiaâs face was flushed, unable to look at the young man beneath her.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âIâm really damned!â
Intense self-reproach filled her heart.
But what could she do?
Her husband had died early, and all the burdens had fallen on her shoulders. Her so-called strength was just a facade.
âThis is the last time.â
Sofia closed her eyes, twisting slightly, telling herself.
Ethan lay there, watching Aunt Sofia, truly enjoying the moment.
He too was immersed, savoring the pleasure.
So soft, so moist, so comfortable.
As for it being the last time, he just smiled.
â¦
Ryan sat on the hospital bed, looking uneasy and occasionally glancing toward the door.
His mom had gone to send Ethan off and hadnât come back for over an hour. Normally, he wouldnât mind.
But the happy look on his momâs face yesterday, after being with a man, made him overthink.
âAh, I must be overthinking it.â
Ryan shook his head with a smile.
Just then, the door to the hospital room opened, and Sofia came back.
âMom,â Ryan called out, but his expression froze when he saw her clearly. He could tell there was something odd about the way she walked.
Although Sofia tried to stand straight, the high heels made it difficult, and accidentally touching a sore spot brought a strange, indescribable pain that made it impossible for her to maintain a normal walking posture.
âMom, whatâs wrong?â Ryan asked, his expression complex, unsure whether he should even ask.
âItâs nothing,â Sofia said, tying up her hair.