Chapter 5 Briony's Suspicion

Upon arriving at the doctor's office, Andrew refused to let Mrs. Powell in. He only wanted Briony to accompany him.

Briony reluctantly complied. She accompanied Andrew to see the doctor. During the examination and treatment, she couldn't focus. She was busy studying Andrew's face, her mind constantly assessing his resemblance to Alex.

"What should I do if Andrew really is Alex's son? He'll kill me if he finds out I broke his son's arm. Should I just run away? But what if he isn't? Should I investigate Andrew's parents first before making a decision?" Briony thought to herself, over and over. Even after Andrew's arm was cast, she was still wondering. That's why she didn't realize when Andrew talked to her.

"Briony, look at my arm! Isn't it so cool? I look like a robot. The doctor said that I can put my favorite stickers on it later," Andrew said, rubbing the cast with his other hand. Getting no answer, he looked up again. "Briony?"

Briony blinked. "Yes?"

Andrew pursed his lips. "Why didn't you hear me? What were you thinking? Do you mind accompanying me? But that's your job. You have to take responsibility for causing this. You were the one who hit me with your car."

Briony grimaced. She glanced at the doctor and nurse. Their gazes were judgmental. Was that a rebuke from the universe for her thoughts of running away? It seemed she would have to take full responsibility for what had happened to Andrew.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. I was just too focused on what gift would be suitable for you," she said to Andrew.

"A gift?" The boy raised an eyebrow, his voice sounded enthusiastic.

Briony nodded. "You have let the doctor treat your arm. You deserve a reward. There aren't many brave kids like you."

"Then, I want a ball! I've wanted one for a long time, but Daddy never bought me one. He said the house would be destroyed if I got a ball. But it's just a ball, not a rocket or TNT that can explode."

"As a good doctor, I need to remind you that your condition doesn't allow you to play with a ball yet. You shouldn't move around too much if you want your arm to heal quickly," the doctor added, ruffling Andrew's hair.

"I know that too, Doctor. I plan to play with it once my arm heals. It's okay if I ask for the ball first, right? I can save it for later," Andrew shrugged before turning to Briony. "So, when are you going to give me the ball?"

Briony considered it for a moment. "How about I buy it after your cast is removed?"

"Are you afraid I won't keep my promise?" Andrew accused.

Briony chuckled. "Yes, you seem to be quite rebellious. You refused to be examined by the X-ray machine. You also fought back when the doctor wanted to apply a cast. And this morning, you suddenly ran across the street. My car could have hit you because you didn't listen to Mrs. Powell, right?"

Andrew pursed his lips. "It happened because Mrs. Powell didn't listen to me. I told her I saw Mommy, but she didn't believe me. She said Mommy was still overseas, and couldn't possibly be here. When I asked her to go check, she refused. I had to cross the street alone to prove myself right. Unfortunately, you didn't see me. You should have braked sooner so I could cross the street safely."

The doctors and nurses' gazes on Briony suddenly changed. They finally stopped seeing her as a criminal. Briony felt relieved.

"Okay, I apologize for being careless while driving. But, I'm not the only one who learned a lesson today. You did too, right?" Briony asked Andrew.

The boy put on an innocent look. "What lesson? Not to cross the street alone? I've always known that. I wouldn't have done it if Mrs. Powell had listened to me."

Briony snorted in amusement. Andrew's playful, unyielding nature sounded familiar to her. "Okay, I get it. I'll buy a ball when I have some free time. But promise me you won't cross the street carelessly again. Got it?"

Andrew's expression turned sour. Nevertheless, he nodded his head. "Okay. I won't do it again."

"Good. Now let me drive you home. Say thanks to the doctor and nurse," Briony patted Andrew's back twice.

Andrew got down from the chair. He looked up at Briony. "You don't have to drive me home. Daddy must be waiting for me outside. I'm sure he'll take me to his office. He wouldn't leave me alone at home like this. He must be worried."

Then, the boy turned to face the medics. "Thank you for your help. My arm doesn't hurt anymore. When I get back here, I'll make sure my bones are healthy, and my cast will have lots of cool stickers on it."

The doctor and nurse were stunned. They were somewhat puzzled as to how the rebellious boy could obey Briony. He had been quite difficult to control earlier. Hadn't the two just met? And why was Mrs. Powell acting like a stranger? Andrew even forbade her from waiting inside. Who was Andrew's real nanny?

When Andrew got out of the room, their astonishment deepened. The boy wasn't enthusiastic about showing off his cast to his nanny, like he had been to Briony. Instead, he asked, "Mrs. Powell, where's Daddy? I thought he was already here." Andrew looked around, clearly disappointed not to find his father.

Meanwhile, Briony silently held her breath. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. Not seeing Alex there, her shoulders felt lighter.

"Mr. White is in an important meeting that cannot be disturbed. He hasn't picked up the phone despite my repeated calls. But I've contacted his secretary. She will definitely pass on the message to Mr. White as soon as the meeting is over," Mrs. Powell explained.

Andrew scowled. His back seemed to arch slightly. Knowing his disappointment, Briony felt pity. She tapped his little shoulder where the arm sling hung.

"Hey, Andrew. Since your dad can't pick you up, how about I drive you home? We can stop by to buy a ball. You can choose any model you want," Briony said, comfortingly. She'd forgotten that she was still worried about who Andrew's father was.

However, the boy's expression remained the same-gloomy and melancholy. Briony added, "You can also buy as many stickers as you want."

Andrew's eyebrows finally raised slightly. "As much as I want? What if I want to buy a Santa's sack of stickers?"

Briony shook her head. "No problem. Just think of it as my apology for hitting you. So, you want to come?"

"My apologies, Miss. Young master is not allowed to go out with strangers," Mrs. Powell said firmly.

Briony smiled. "I'm not a stranger. Andrew and I have started to get to know each other. We're friends now."

"Yes, we're friends, but she still has to make amends. She also owes me a ball and a sticker. Now is a good time for her to buy them," Andrew nodded, approvingly.

Mrs. Powell's eyes widened. She wondered how Andrew had gotten along so quickly with the woman who had hit him with a car. "But, Young Master-"

"She won't kidnap me, Mrs. Powell. You're coming with us," Andrew interrupted. "Besides, why would she kidnap a child with a broken arm like me? I'll just be a nuisance. There's no benefit."

Mrs. Powell was at a loss for words. She always had trouble dealing with Andrew's objections. Seeing that, Briony felt sorry for her.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Powell. I did hit Andrew, but I'm not a bad person. Now, I have to get some medicine. Please wait here a moment."

"I'll come with you," Andrew said, stepping beside Briony. "That way, you won't be able to escape."

Briony sighed in disbelief. "I'm not a criminal in prison, Andrew. You just wait here. Remember what the doctor said. You shouldn't move around too much. I won't be long."

Andrew pouted. "What's the guarantee that you won't run away?"

Briony handed over her car keys. Andrew smiled with satisfaction. "You can go now. Take some medicine for me. I want to get well soon and play with a ball."

Briony nodded and left. Little did she know that shortly after she left the corridor, Alexander White appeared with a worried expression.