“It won’t be easy.”
Louie gave a faint, bitter smile. “That’s fine. I’m already used to – “
“Should take one to two months before you’re standing again.”
The words hit like a clean interruption.
Louie froze. “I… what?”
Amy pressed a hand to her chest. “You mean… he’ll walk again?”
“Walk?” Dr. Nyx said casually. “He’ll do more than that. Give him two or three months of rehab and he could run track, clear hurdles, even high jump if he wants.”
Amy broke down in tears of joy.
For the first time in years, hope came rushing back into the room.
All of it – because of Scarlett.
Her sister.
At the Hayes family estate, Sadie returned with her dental work redone.
Her teeth were fixed, but her face was still swollen.
“My poor girl…” Mossa said, her voice full of exaggerated concern. “It must hurt so much.”
“It’s okay,” Sadie replied softly, though her eyes were carefully shaped into a fragile sadness.
That expression only made Mossa angrier.
“Don’t worry. I’ll bring Scarlett back and make her apologize properly.”
“There’s really no need,” Sadie said gently. “My sister was just emotional. She didn’t mean it. I don’t blame her… it’s just…”
She touched her cheek lightly.
“I have an audition tomorrow for the lead role at SH Entertainment. I’m afraid this might affect my appearance.”
“You don’t need to worry,” Mossa said immediately. “I’ll get you Golden Trauma Ointment from Sanctum Medica Apply it tonight – by morning the swelling will be mostly gone.”
“Golden Trauma Ointment?” Sadie gasped. “That’s too valuable…”
The ointment had originally been developed by Dr. Nyx himself – an elite-grade treatment once reserved for top military officials.
Rumor said the leader of Obsidian Unit personally approved its release to the public.
But due to its extremely high production cost, it was sold in limited quantities at a steep price.
“Silly child,” Mossa said with practiced warmth. “I’m your mother. How could I not take care of you after what you’ve been through?”
Sadie leaned into her.
“Mom… you’re the best.”
Mossa softened instantly.
“Of course I am. And tomorrow’s audition is for an SH production – big budget, major IP adaptation. It’s going to be a hit. You must get that lead role.”
“Don’t worry,” Sadie said confidently. “I’ve read the original story. The female lead feels like it was written for me.”
“That’s my girl. Tomorrow I’ll cook your favorite dishes, and when you come back, we’ll celebrate.”
“Thank you, Mom. I love you.”
A perfect image.
A devoted mother.
A flawless daughter.
At least on the surface.
The next day, Scarlett stopped by the hospital with a bag of fresh fruit for Theo.
The moment he saw her, his entire face lit up.
He beamed, unable to hide his excitement.
Scarlett sat beside him, peeling grapes one by one and placing them in a small bowl as she told him a story. Her voice was soft, steady – easy to listen to.
Halfway through, the door opened.
Howard stepped inside, checking his watch. “Ma’am, the SH Entertainment executive meeting starts in less than an hour. It’s at least a thirty-minute drive. We should leave now.”
Scarlett rose to her feet with a small nod.
“Right.”
She turned back to Theo.
He was staring at her, his bright eyes filled with reluctance. He didn’t say anything, but it was obvious – he didn’t want her to go.
Her expression softened.
“I’ll come back tomorrow.”
Theo nodded obediently. “Okay. I’ll wait for you, Mommy.”
He puffed out his cheeks slightly, trying to look brave, trying not to seem clingy.
It didn’t fool her for a second.
Scarlett leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.
Theo froze.
His wide, dark eyes blinked in shock before lighting up with pure joy.
Mommy kissed him.
For the first time.
Happiness flooded through him so suddenly it almost felt unreal, like he might float right off the bed.
He grinned, practically glowing.
But standing in the doorway, Theron felt something unexpected stir inside him – jealousy.
He had held her by the waist before.
And even that hadn’t earned him a kiss.
“You’re here,” Scarlett said when she noticed him. “Perfect timing. I need to step out for a bit.”
“Go ahead. I’ll stay with him.”
She gave a brief nod and walked past him without another word.
As always, his gaze followed her.
Only when the elevator doors slid shut did he finally look away.
That was when he noticed it – a strand of hair caught on his sleeve.
He frowned instinctively, ready to brush it off.
Then he paused.
…Was it hers?
He studied it for a moment.
Yes.
It belonged to Scarlett.
Instead of discarding it, he carefully wrapped the strand around his wrist, looping it a few times before tying it in place.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
When Rhys walked in, he found his boss staring at his own wrist… smiling.
For a second, he almost turned around to check the sky.
Had the sun risen in the west?
“Ahem. Sir, we’ve finished the background check on Miss Hayes.”
Theron’s attention shifted instantly.
He took the file and stepped into the hallway, flipping it open as he walked.
The further he read, the darker his expression became.
The temperature around him seemed to drop.
Rhys instinctively took a step back.
What the hell was in that file?
Then Theron’s voice cut through the silence, cold and sharp.
“She spent five years in prison?”
Rhys was just as stunned.
Theron kept reading.
Five years ago, she had been convicted of pushing her pregnant younger sister during her own wedding – causing her to miscarry.
After that, her family had broken her legs… and personally handed her over to the authorities.
Her mother.
Her husband.
All of them.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.