Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1588

Bernard chuckled. “A few coughs and you’re this scared? You think Bernard is that fragile? We’re not going back yet. I’m going to teach you something new. Come on.” But Evan didn’t move. “You can teach me after you’ve rested properly.” Bernard looked down at him. Before he could speak, Evan’s lip quivered, and he suddenly burst into tears. “You lied to me, didn’t you? You’re really sick, aren’t you? You just coughed up blood, didn’t you? I… I can smell blood. And you… you can’t keep up with me anymore. It used to be me who couldn’t keep up with you!” Bernard was speechless. Seeing the little guy cry, he felt a lump in his throat. He pulled the boy into his arms, ruffling his hair, and took a deep breath before speaking. “The reason I can't keep up is because I just recovered. My strength isn't what it used to be. And the smell of blood isn’t from me, it’s from over there.” Evan followed Bernard’s finger and saw a small pool of blood. Next to it was a recently deceased bird, clearly attacked by some animal. Evan was only half-convinced. “…Are you sure you’re okay?” Bernard shook his head. “You know your great-grandma’s temper.If I were seriously ill, she’d have me hooked up to an IV and locked in a sickbed!” Evan stared at him for a moment longer, then threw himself back into Bernard's arms, sobbing loudly. “Bernard, I’m scared!” “Hmm? Scared of what?” “I’m scared something will happen to you! You can’t let anything happen to you!” Bernard’s eyes reddened, and it took all his effort not to let the tears fall. This was the little man he had watched grow from a tiny tot to over a meter tall. The last time the boy was here, he had tumbled down a slope and hadn't shed a single tear. Yet now, without even knowing the truth of his condition, he was crying his eyes out. Bernard was deeply moved. The thought that he would soon never see him again made his heart ache with a sharp pain. After a long moment, Bernard finally said, “Don’t be scared, Evan. Even if Bernard dies one day, you shouldn’t be scared. Our Evan is a real man, who stands tall. If you cry this easily, you won’t be a real man.” The little boy shook his head wildly in his embrace. “I don’t want to be a man, I just want Bernard to be okay! You promised me you’d always be around! You... you're supposed to be there for everything!” Bernard smiled through his red-rimmed eyes. “Alright, alright, I promise. Look, that little monkey in the tree is laughing at you.” Evan finally wiped his tears and turned to look at the tree. A little monkey was indeed staring at him. White, feeling protective of Evan, raised its head and flicked its tongue at the monkey, posturing to attack. The monkey’s eyes went wide with fright, and it scampered away in a flash. Bernard squatted down and wiped Evan’s tears. “Bernard just has a cold. Because I’m old, I don’t recover as fast as you do. But I still have enough energy to teach you a few moves! These are new techniques Bernard just developed. I guarantee you’ll be much stronger after learning them. Are you sure you don’t want to learn?” “Don’t forget, you won’t be here for long this time. You might be heading down the mountain with Elliot tomorrow. If you don’t learn today, you won’t get another chance.” Evan was tempted, but he asked cautiously, “Are you sure you’re up for it?” “Of course. Forget you, even if your uncle were here, I could take both of you on without breaking a sweat!” Evan pouted. “You’re bluffing!” “Hah, don’t believe me? Try me! My new techniques are incredible!” As Bernard spoke, he made a move. Evan had no time to think and immediately parried. In truth, the techniques weren't new at all; they were ancient. These were the very moves he had used to dismantle the champions of seven international underground fight leagues. The techniques he had taught Evan before were the ones he had developed later. The reason he had never taught Evan these was to avoid attracting the attention of his enemies.