CHAPTER 23
Jared was at home, engrossed in helping his wife, Sophie, with various household tasks. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the kitchen as sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the cheerful space. He had a bit of time before heading to work, and he wanted to make the most of it.
"Lilo, what would you like to eat this morning?" he asked, his voice warm and inviting.
"Chocolate..." Lilo replied, her small hands rubbing her sleepy eyes as she spoke in a soft, feeble tone.
"No, sweetheart, not chocolate. You need to have a proper breakfast to start your day," Sophie said firmly yet gently, her maternal instincts guiding her words.
"Emmmmmm..." Lilo protested but remained silent. Normally, she would enthusiastically try to persuade her parents to indulge her whims, but today she was unusually quiet.
"Lilo... princess, are you feeling sad?" Jared asked, concern etching his features as he approached her. He was flipping an omelet in a skillet, the sizzle filling the air with a mouthwatering scent. "How about I add some chocolate to your milk to make it choco milk? That could be fun, right?" He leaned down, whispering so Sophie wouldn't overhear, hoping to coax a smile from her.
"Okay, Papa," Lilo replied absentmindedly, her gaze drifting elsewhere.
This behavior was out of character for her. Lilo was usually a vibrant, lively child, full of energy and joy. Jared's heart ached at the sight of her passivity. He quickly set about preparing the milk, adding an extra sprinkle of chocolate, believing it might bring back her spark.
"Here you go, princess. Drink it all in one go!" he encouraged, playfully ruffling her curly brown hair that framed her face so adorably. To his surprise, she didn't swat his hand away as she typically would, deepening his worry. He decided it was time to talk to Sophie about what might be troubling their little girl.
"Is Lilo acting strangely today?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.
"Hm. Is she?" Sophie replied, momentarily distracted as she folded laundry, the fresh scent of clean fabric surrounding them.
"Yes, she definitely is," Jared insisted, sensing the seriousness of the situation. Noticing his concern, Sophie paused her chores and turned her attention to Lilo. Their daughter was struggling to finish the chocolate milk, a stark contrast to her usual eagerness to gulp it down in seconds.
"She has been unusually quiet since last night," Sophie noted thoughtfully. "She didn't eat much at dinner, either. It's unlike her to be so compliant and less active. I think I should take her to see a doctor."
"Let's consult the little lady physician at the palace," Jared suggested, hoping for a quick resolution.
"Dr. Mey? No, Jared. She is too kind to refuse but she's likely overwhelmed with patients these days. I don't want to burden her over every little problem of ours. They're handling so many epidemic cases there too, and I also want to keep our child away from that," Sophie reasoned.
"That's a valid point," Jared agreed. "I'll make sure to come back early and take her to a doctor."
"No, you should focus on work. Don't worry; I have everything under control. I will take her," Sophie reassured him, gently fixing his hair with a caring touch.
He took her hand, pressing a soft kiss on her palm. "Okay, you know best. I'll be back early," he promised. He then hugged her tightly and went to Lilo, planting a kiss on her cheek. He felt a pang of worry as he headed out the door, already late but hoping for the best.