From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 45

Jessie had been bending over backwards for Olga these past few days, hoping to finally win her over. She thought she was making progress, but after just one swim with Olga, everything fell apart. Olga came down with a high fever that wouldn’t go away. When they got to the hospital, the doctor said it was a mild lung infection and that she’d have to stay.

“You really don’t think things through,” the doctor scolded, not even trying to hide his frustration. “It’s autumn. Swimming at night is asking for trouble.”

Jessie’s eyes were already red from worry. “I didn’t know it would turn out like this. It was still hot outside, about eighty-six degrees, and she’d been begging all day to swim. I didn’t want to ruin her fun.”

“Sure, it’s warm in the afternoon, but you know how chilly it gets at night in the fall. This is basic stuff. Kids want to do everything. If she wanted popsicles in winter or to build a snowman in summer, would you say yes every time?”

Jessie had no words. Peter put a hand on her shoulder, jumping to her defense. “Doctor, it’s our mistake. We weren’t thinking straight. What do we need to do for her now?”

The doctor didn’t even look up from his computer. “Antibiotics. Nebulizer treatments every day. Keep her meals light for now. That’s it. You can go stay with her.”

Jessie stepped out of the room, her eyes still wet. “Peter, I’m sorry. I never thought things would get this bad.”

Peter let out a quiet sigh. He couldn’t bring himself to blame her. “It’s alright, Jessie. Eleanor always took care of these things before. It’s not your fault you didn’t know.”

“Don’t beat yourself up. I already let her know to come help with Olga.”

His attempt at comfort didn’t make Jessie feel any better. If anything, she felt worse.

Peter hadn’t even told his mother about Olga being sick. He just said Olga was away at a camp for a week, hoping to spare Jessie from any blame.

Jessie was touched by his kindness, but it stung that he’d called Eleanor. Did it mean he still trusted Eleanor more? Maybe he always had. Jessie couldn’t help but spiral a little.

When she got back into the hospital room, Olga was sprawled on the bed, looking small and tired.

“It’s your fault, Mommy,” Olga shot back, her tone unfair. “If you’d been here to remind me to wear a jacket, I wouldn’t have gotten sick. My throat hurts. My chest hurts. My hand hurts. It’s all because of you.”

Eleanor had been frantic, but now she just let out a dry laugh. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Olga. “So you think I’m just supposed to take all your tantrums and let you blame me for everything? That I’m your personal punching bag?”

Olga’s throat tightened. Suddenly, she felt guilty. “I’m sick and you’re yelling at me,” she said, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Watching her cry broke Eleanor’s heart, but the things Olga said stung even more.

Eleanor turned to Peter. “Didn’t the housekeeper remind her to put on extra clothes? How did this even happen?”

Jessie felt cornered and jumped in before anyone could answer. “Eleanor, it doesn’t matter how she got sick. What matters is making sure she gets better. Right, Peter?”