Spoiled by the Silver Fox

"Eight years old."

"You look more like five or six."

"It's 'cause I was a preemie. My mom was on the run when she had me. Then we hightailed it abroad, that's when things got a bit safer. That's when the autism kicked in. What about you?"

"How'd you guess I've been through that?"

"I can tell. Sullivan, sometimes you get this far-off look in your eyes, like you're trapped in your own little bubble. But you're really something, you know. Just like your acting, you can switch it on and off so easily." "If you make it to my age, you'll be able to do the same."

"I dunno. With Rebecca out for my blood, surviving to grow up is still up in the air."

"Don't you have a whole crew looking out for you? Isn't that enough?"

And yet she still felt so unsafe.

He knew what it was like to be that age and already understand the true depths of despair and utter loneliness.

Every kid with autism is either a savant, a genius, or a simpleton.

Apart from the simpletons, they're born with a sharper wit than most, more aware than their peers.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be so sensitive to retreat into themselves like that.

Average children wouldn't have a clue about shutting the world out, wouldn't even be able to do it if they tried.

Emily said they had that in common. He got it.

"But they've got their own lives. Sullivan, do you have someone you'd look after for a lifetime?"

"I do."

"That's a shame. I was kinda hoping you'd be the one to guard me! I've got this feeling, if you wanted to, you could keep me really safe."

Sullivan scoffed, "You're giving me too much credit."

"The person you protect, what are they like?"

"The one who pulled me out of hell."

"Someone like that deserves your lifelong protection. The person who pulled me out of my own world was Stephanie. When I grow up, I'll always be there for her, but unti can stand on my own two feet, need someone to watch overn I can grow up safely. Too bad it can't

be you."

In the dark, Sullivan didn't respond.

The one after Ashley was sent by Rebecca.

So the one who caused the girl's premature birth was Rebecca too.

Emily fell silent as well.

It was a pity, she really liked Sullivan.

me, so

After a long silence, Sullivan finally spoke up, "If you come across the right kind of guardian, I'll help you pick one." "No need, I like choosing for myself."

"Suit yourself."

With that, they both turned away from each other, this time genuinely drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, they both hit the hotel diner like nothing happened and grabbed breakfast. Afterward, Sullivan dropped Emily back with Stephanie and then headed back to the set.

When Emily returned to Stephanie, she was sucking on a lollipop with a

big grin on her face, looking thet© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

quite

pleased with herself. Conte belongs to

Sullivan kept his word and really bought her that lollipop, no child's play.

Stephanie had a scare when she woke up and didn't see Emily.

But not long after, Sullivan brought her back.

Annoyed, Stephanie scolded, "Emily, running off on your own first thing in the morning?"

"Stephanie, you drank too much last night, throwing up everywhere, practically gassing someone to death! If Sullivan hadn't taken me in, I would've slept in the hallway rather than with you!"

Feeling a bit guilty, Stephanie touched her nose and said, "Alright, I won't drink next time. Just don't tell Silver Fox, okay?"