Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 400

"Ivy, what's wrong with you?" Erica asked, her heart aching as she looked at Ivy.

While patting the child's back, Ethan answered, "Mom, it's nothing serious, just a bout of diarrhea. Ivy's probably feeling unwell, hence the crying. You guys should go rest, I'll stay with her."

"How could she have diarrhea? She didn't eat anything unhealthy today. Could it be a cold?" Erica asked, worry evident in her voice.

"It's not a cold, her blanket was been well kept," Ethan replied confidently.

Erica's question reminded Ines of her visit to the barbecue shop earlier today, "Mom, I had some barbecue this afternoon. Could it have affected her through my breast milk?"

"That's a possibility."

No sooner had Erica spoken than tears welled up in Ines' eyes, "It's all my fault. I knew that kind of food could have an effect on breast milk, yet I still ate it. I'm such a failure as a mother, I should've watched what I ate more."

"Ines, it's not a big deal. She'll be fine once she takes some medicine. Don't blame yourself, and don't feel guilty." Erica immediately rushed to Ines, wiping away her tears.

"Ines, don't blame yourself. Ivy will be fine," Ethan reassured her, handing the child to Camela before comforting Ines.

Ines clung to Ethan's hand, "Ethan, do we need to go to the hospital? I'm a bit worried, Ivy doesn't usually cry like this. She must be uncomfortable."

"Ines, don't panic. It would take a long time to go to the city's hospital, and I'm afraid Ivy couldn't handle that. We have army doctors here, and they're all people I know. If things get worse, I'll call one over, don't worry."

"Oh, Ollie also had breast milk tonight, go check if he's uncomfortable too." Ines suddenly remembered that Ollie had also drunk quite a bit, his appetite was much bigger than Ivy's.

Ollie was still sweetly sleeping in his crib, his small mouth slightly open as if he was dreaming about something fun. The commotion around him didn't wake him up. Ethan checked on him and found Ollie was fine, with no diarrhea. He shook his head at everyone. "Ollie's okay."

"Ines, don't worry too much. Maybe Ivy didn't eat anything today and then suddenly drank breast milk, causing her stomach to feel a bit uncomfortable. It's not a big deal."

Ivy fell asleep after crying herself out, and Ethan persuaded everyone to go rest.

Seeing that Ines still seemed dazed, Ethan pulled her into his arms. "Izzy, don't stress too much. It's not your fault, you didn't want this to happen."

Ines helped the children tuck into their blankets, then came out to see Erica and Trenton arguing. Erica was extremely emotional, her face full of anger. "I do not agree. I will not let my son go to such a place."

"Erica, calm down, this is a decision from the superiors. We're all soldiers, and we must obey. Besides, it's a decision that benefits the Meyer family." Trenton tried to reason.

"I don't care about that, I only know that I am a mother. My son just returned to my side, I won't let him go to such a place. If you insist on sending him there, then I'll go with him, I don't trust him alone."

Trenton got a bit angry. "Erica, don't say such things. Beasley is a soldier. That's his duty. What's the point of you following him?"

Phillip shook his head, clearly not wanting to get involved in their argument. He left with the middle-aged man who had just arrived, looking rather embarrassed.

This was the first time Ines saw Erica and Trenton arguing. They were usually very easy-going, which made her feel a bit worried. She couldn't help but speak up, "If you guys have a problem, talk it out. Don't fight."

Erica grabbed Ines's hand with a rush of excitement. Her hot tears splashed onto Ines' hand. "Izzy, you're a mom of two now, you've got a say in this. Tell me, is it me who's being unreasonable? My son has been undercover for so many years, risking his life in such a dangerous place, and enduring so much hardship. And the first thing that happens when he gets back is that his superiors want him to go to Frostburg. Seriously? We all know what a tough place that is. None of us could handle living there. I'm totally against this."

Ines could feel the sting of Erica's tears on her hand. She was also worried and could sort of understand that something must have happened that led to Beasley's transfer to Frostburg by his superiors. But wasn't this too sudden? Beasley had just been back for a few days and now he was being sent to such a difficult place. How could anyone accept this?