On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 45

Jessica knew it was a classic parenting trick: shifting the authority. Many kids who wouldn’t listen to their parents would listen to a doctor or a teacher. Sometimes, you had to pass the power to someone else.

Sure enough, Amy’s face lit up. “Okay!”

Jessica carried her down the hall to the doctor’s office. The middle-aged pediatrician looked up, his expression stern. “Yes?”

Jessica gently prompted Amy. “Go on, sweetie. Tell the doctor what you want.”

But faced with the serious-looking doctor, Amy clammed up, glancing nervously at her mother for help.

Jessica stepped in. “Doctor, Amy was very brave while getting her IV, and now she’s hungry. She was hoping she could have some ice cream and chocolate as a reward. Would that be alright?”

The doctor stared at Jessica with open disapproval. “Are you her mother? Don’t you know how sensitive a child’s stomach is after a fever? Ice cream? Do you want her to get gastritis on top of everything else? She shouldn’t be eating that junk food even when she’s healthy, let alone now!”

He shook his head in disbelief, muttering about a four-year-old’s mother asking such a foolish question.

Jessica quickly apologized, grabbed Amy, and hurried out of the office.

Once they were in the hallway, she let out a long, dramatic sigh of relief.

Amy looked at her curiously. “Were you scared?”

Jessica nodded. “I don’t think anyone in the world isn’t a little scared of doctors.”

Amy giggled at her mother’s exaggerated gasp for air. “Then why did you still go in?”

Jessica set Amy down on the bed. “Mommy, can I have a wipe?” Amy asked.

Jessica handed her a wet wipe. Amy carefully cleaned her hands while Jessica set up the small bedside table. Catherine placed the food on it. Amy stared longingly at the cheesy pasta, but she remembered the doctor’s warning. Resolutely, she reached for a slice of toast.

“Jessica,” Catherine asked, sitting down beside her, “is she not allowed to have cheese?”

Jessica didn’t answer. She knew it was a trap. Instead, she turned to her daughter. “Amy, do you want to eat it?”

Amy, remembering the doctor’s thunderous expression, shook her head vigorously. “No, no!”

Catherine’s smile was tight. “You know, Jessica, you’re quite effective. You spend three hours with Amy, and suddenly she won’t even ask for her favorite food. Don’t you think you’re a little… controlling? With Lance, with Amy…”