Malacai observed their affectionate exchange with a curious look.
It was something very alien to him, a parent caring for their child like that.
His lips suddenly turned into a smile, and his black eyes softened. "Nerissa, sweetheart, why does your mother feel pain like that?"
The words made the mother and daughter pair look at Malacai.
Nerissa felt her whole body shudder as she thought about how quickly Malacai could start acting.
She answered in a low tone, "We don't know, she has attacks like this occasionally…" Her tone grew somber. "Once, she almost went into shock because of the pain…"
Eleanor put her hand on her lips, surprised her daughter had never brought anyone home, let alone a boy.
And based on how he called her, she quickly connected the dots.
She realized he must have witnessed everything that had happened.
She quickly stood up, smiling, "I am sorry you had to witness something like this. And don't worry about it; I just get a little pain attack from time to time."
"Don't worry about it, Aunt."
His black eyes turned purple in an instant, a change that made Nerissa quickly jump to her feet and move to block her mother from Malacai's sight, but she stopped when she heard what he said next.
"You shouldn't have to feel pain from attacks like this again, Aunt." His eyes quickly turned black again.
Eleanor saw how her daughter and Malacai interacted and thought Nerissa might be just shy or afraid she would berate Malacai, as it's normal for young teenagers to be protective of their first love.
But she swore she felt something strange about Malacai's words; it was as if her whole body was submitting to his words.
The phrasing was also unusual; typically, people might express a hope for better health, but his statement sounded more like an order.
Then there were his eyes; Eleanor was sure they were purple at that moment.
However, these thoughts only lasted for a moment.
She felt very happy, not only because her daughter had brought someone home but also because it was a man.
She had always worried that Nerissa would become afraid of men because of her past. She then clarified, "Are you my daughter's boyfriend?"
"Yes," Malacai answered swiftly.
Nerissa was still surprised with what he had said earlier, her thoughts racing: 'Will it work?'
'Can her mother be cured with a simple word like that? Can he order someone to not feel pain?'
In reality, Malacai was testing it.
The moment he heard about fentanyl, he knew her mother was experiencing some kind of intense pain.
He wanted to know if he could command her body in this way, too.
Hearing his response, Eleanor quickly felt happy.
She looked Malacai up and down; his eyes appeared kind, and he didn't seem to be afraid or disgusted by her illness earlier. Plus, he was very handsome.
She quickly approved of him. Then, Eleanor moved forward and hugged Malacai, surprising both Nerissa and him.
Malacai's eyes widened in surprise. Nerissa wanted to stop her mother at first; she didn't want her to be too close to Malacai.
But she was afraid Eleanor would become suspicious and then start interrogating Malacai.
Malacai would then find it troublesome and then start ordering her mother around.
"Don't call me aunt; you're my daughter's boyfriend. Just call me mom," Eleanor said.
Nerissa quickly interjected, "Mom, what are you saying? It's not like we're getting married."
Breaking the hug, Eleanor looked at Malacai, who still had a surprised expression. "Why not? You are serious about my daughter, right?"
Her eyes sharpened. "You're not just having short-term fun and planning to break up, are you?"
"I will never allow her to leave me," Malacai answered swiftly.
Eleanor then smiled widely, feeling reassured by the boy's seriousness. She knew her condition was weird and that if it worsened, she could leave this world at any time.
As a mother, she didn't want her daughter to face this cruel world alone. If Nerissa could be with someone she truly loved, Eleanor would support it all the way, not wanting her daughter to end up in a tragic situation like herself.
Watching her mother smile, Nerissa felt the urge to cry and tell her everything. 'Mom, he literally will never free me…' she thought.
"Then it's just a matter of time, right? Call me mom, and what is your name?"
"I am Malacai… Mom," Malacai responded.
He didn't know why, but saying the word made him feel good. "Mom… mom…" he mumbled a few times, looking at Eleanor.
Seeing this, Nerissa internally praised Malacai's acting skills. She really thought that with his appearance and skill, he could quickly become a superstar.
Eleanor felt happy with the interaction and clapped her hands. "Oh, I am such a bad host. Neither of you have eaten, right? I will cook some food. Let's eat together."
She left the room.
Without her mother, Nerissa swore she felt the room temperature drop a few degrees, but she was starting to get used to it.
She looked at Malacai. "Are you sure that will work?"
Malacai walked over and sat on the corner of the bed, crossing his feet. The kind black eyes were nowhere to be seen. "You'll know about it soon."
Nerissa then felt Malacai's gaze on her, looking at her from head to toe. She was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.
"Strip," Malacai said.
Nerissa sighed, knowing this was coming. "Can we at least move to my room? This is my mom's."
"That would be a waste of time. After eating, we will go to Darius's home."
"Must I come along?"
Malacai's smile turned into a grin. "Have you forgotten? You will come along no matter where I go."
Looking into his black eyes, Nerissa knew there was no way out of it.
She moved to close and lock the door of her mother's room.
Nerissa knew her mother; she wouldn't just cook some instant food. It would take her at least 45 minutes to an hour.