Cleo gently explained, “You were in a car accident. Urban brought you abroad for surgery.
It was only then that Maxine noticed the hospital room felt different–sleeker, quieter, unfamiliar.
“I…” She opened her mouth to speak, but the pain in her throat was sharp and immediate.
Cleo quickly leaned in. “Your internal organs were badly injured in the crash. The doctors just finished operating on you. You can’t eat or drink anything yet. Give it a few days, then you can start on liquids.”
Maxine gave a slight nod, then turned her gaze to Jessica, who was standing by the bed, blinking back tears. “You must’ve been terrified.*
That was all the encouragement the little girl needed. She scurried forward, sniffling hard. “I was really scared. When are you going to get better?”
Maxine smiled faintly. “Soon. I just need to rest a bit. Be good and listen to Cleo, Okay? No running off.”
She was already drifting, her eyelids heavy and impossible to hold open.
But Jessica suddenly burst into tears, her tiny voice trembling, “Don’t sleep! Stay up and talk to me!”
She still remembered the way Maxine had looked on the stretcher–so weak, so pale and she was terrified that if Maxine closed her eyes, she might vanish forever, just like Mommy did.
The drowsiness Maxine felt was from the lingering anesthesia. About half an hour later, as it began to wear of consciousness returned in full–and so did the pain. It roared through her body like fire.
It felt like her insides were being twisted. Her arm, in particular, was completely numb.
“I…” Maxine winced, trying to speak through the pain.
Cleo sighed, her expression full of guilt. “During the crash, you must’ve instinctively tried to shield yourself. Your arm broke–multiple fractures. The bones in your hand had to be reconstructed during surgery.”
Only then did Maxine notice the thick layers of gauze wrapped around her palm.
“For now, just focus on resting,” Urban spoke from the side, his tone calm but firm. “You’ll be living here until you’ve fully recovered. Everything’s been arranged. The apartment is just a few blocks away.”
He pulled a slip of paper and a set of keys from his pocket, handing them over. The address was neatly written on it.
A middle–aged woman stepped out from behind him and approached Maxine’s bedside with a warm smile. “Hello, I’m Grace. I’ll be looking after you during your recovery.”
Urban added, “Don’t worry. Grace Hammond is an experienced caregiver. She’ll take good care of both you and Jessica.”
Grace turned to Jessica and gave her a friendly wave. Jessica eyed her shyly but smiled back, clearly sensing the woman’s kindness.
Grace quickly settled into the role. She was hands–on, efficient, and even cooked simple, comforting meals. During breaks, she would sit by Maxine’s bedside and chat, and it was during one of these quiet moments that Maxine learned Grace had studied abroad in Hatholand.
When Maxine asked why she took on this job, Grace just shrugged and said, “My mother’s been sick recently. You know how it is–medical bills are sky- high. Mr. Soto offered generous pay.”
“I’m so sorry,” Maxine said softly, her voice full of sympathy.
But Grace waved it off with her usual easygoing cheer. “It’s Okay. My mom beat cancer, thankfully. But we’re still deep in debt, so now I’m just working hard to pay it all back.”
Sat, 21 Jun
Chapter 159
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When there was nothing urgent to do, Grace would teach Jessica simple English words, and in just a few days, the girl had already picked up enough to chat with the nearby nurses.
Everyone at the clinic adored the sweet, polite little girl. Every time Jessica returned from outside, her arms were full of snacks gifted to her by the staff.
AD
