The Sickly Young Master Forced Me To Love

Morning came with birds chirping outside, and sunlight streaming in.

Xavier's eyelashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes. It was the first time he had slept so soundly. Since his father's death, nightmares had woken him up night after night, leaving him awake for hours.

He felt warmth in his hand and turned his head to see Ariella leaning against his bed, sleeping uncomfortably.

Memories from the night before suddenly flooded back.

Last night, he had... cried and called for his mother.

He was already ten years old. How embarrassing. Why was Ariella different from the woman in his dreams?

Suddenly, a man's voice echoed in his mind.

"Just wait until this wicked woman shows her true colors. Give me control of your body, and I'll help you."

"Who are you? Why are you talking inside my head?"

"I am you."

"You're me?"

"I'm you at 28. I traveled from the future to help you kill her."

"I can handle my problems. I don't need your help," Xavier said seriously.

"I've shared my memories with you for a while now. Haven't you seen this evil woman's true nature? In the future, she'll abuse you, and you'll suffer terribly. You're just a kid. You can't fight back. I'm here to help you because we're the same."

"So you're the reason I can't sleep. I don't want these dreams, and I don't want your memories. As for her, I don't think she's like what you remember. Just go back to your future," Xavier said, clenching his fists.

"Don't worry, I'll wait until you beg me," the voice weakened. "I'll be back."

Xavier decided to believe that the woman in front of him was different from the one in his dreams. She didn't hit him or stop him from going to school. She gave him delicious food, and last night, she took care of him when he was sick.

She must be a good person.

I woke up because my arm had gone numb. That's what happens when you sleep on it wrong.

I stretched, feeling my joints crack. As I straightened up, I met Xavier's eyes.

"Xavier, are you alright?" I still wasn't quite used to this. Last night, I had seen the fierce gaze of an adult Xavier, but this mini version in front of me was soft and adorable.

"Mother, my head doesn't hurt anymore. I'm fine."

Xavier paused for a moment, then said, "Mother, I'd like to change into my school uniform."

"Do you need help?"

I thought kids needed help with that, but then I saw Xavier's face flush red.

Xavier said, "No, thank you, Mother. I can dress myself now."

I walked to the door and turned back to Xavier. "Alright, get ready. Later, you can pick a room to move into. This room's door is broken."

"Okay."

"Oh!" I jumped. Austin was standing at the door.

We were just an inch apart. At this distance, we were either about to kiss or start a fight.

"Good morning, Mrs. Gomez."

Austin stepped back a few paces and bowed politely.

"Morning," I said casually. "By the way, why didn't you sleep in your room last night?"

Austin froze for a moment, the hidden dagger in his suit sleeve sliding down to his wrist.

"Xavier had a fever last night. I wanted to ask for your help to take care of him."

I yawned, getting ready to go back and catch up on sleep.

Austin hesitated, wondering if this woman was actually clueless.

But he slid the dagger back into his sleeve and maintained his composed, gentlemanly demeanor.

"Mrs. Gomez, I had trouble sleeping last night, so I went for a walk."

I waved my hand dismissively. "In that case, you take Xavier to school."

"Mother, I want you to take me," Xavier said.

Xavier opened the door, pouting in dissatisfaction.

"But..."

"Mother, if I go to school, does that mean I can only come home on weekends?"

Xavier tugged at the corner of my shirt. He looked up at me with those pleading eyes, cutting off the refusal about to leave my mouth.

"Alright. Austin, go get the car."

I just couldn't say no to a boy acting all cute. Anyway, sending him off to school would mean staying away from the male lead's storyline for a while.

Satisfied, Xavier grabbed my pinky finger and tilted his chin upward, casting a disdainful glance at Austin.

Austin caught his look, lowered his head as if lost in thought, and then smiled.

"Huh, it seems the kid has figured me out.

Well then, we'll have to move the plan forward."