Chapter 2
There were footsteps outside.
The nurse pushed the door open and came in, followed by a doctor.
The doctor said, "Is anyone from your family here? Tomorrow, there will be a second follow-up scheduled, and we need your family member's signature."
Just as Nathan stood up, the sound of high heels echoed down the hallway.
It was fast, urgent, and steady.
I knew this sound.
I'd heard it my whole life.
Elaine came.
She walked in and carried a paper bag stamped with the logo of a private hospital.
She was wearing black dress pants and a beige cashmere coat, her hair pulled back neatly.
On the ears were those same pearl stud earrings she'd always worn.
When Elaine saw Nathan, her face turned cold for a moment.
She asked, "Why are you here?"
"Iris's in the hospital. Why can't I come here?" Nathan replied, not backing down.
His tone was rough, and he clenched his fists.
Elaine said in a sharp tone, "I said I'm dealing with it. Why are you here, stirring things up?"
Nathan retorted, "Dealing with it? So, your way is representing Zoe as her lawyer?"
The air in the ward suddenly froze.
Elaine's gaze fell to me.
It wasn't sympathy.
She was just sizing me up.
Like she was thinking about how much damage had been done.
She asked, "Iris, how are you feeling now?"
She went to the bedside and put the paper bag on the bedside table.
Inside were several boxes of imported supplements, all wrapped up in fancy packaging.
She continued, "The doctor told me you're recovering well. You can be discharged in about a week."
Staring at her, I said, "Mom.
"You really took on Zoe's case?"
She paused for a second, then resumed sorting through the bag.
"I'm the one in charge, but it's not what you think," she replied.
Elaine sat down by the bed, her voice calm and businesslike, as if in a meeting with a client.
She continued calmly, "Iris, technically, when kids fight or push each other, it doesn't meet the threshold for a criminal case.
"The Sterling family wants to settle. They're willing to compensate you for all your medical expenses, plus an extra 150 thousand dollars.
"To be honest, that's already a very generous offer."
I stared at her, refusing to look away.
I said, "Mom, she kicked me down from the third floor.
"Three ribs of mine were broken, spleen ruptured.
"I'd almost be dead."
"I know it," Elaine said, almost brushing it off.
There was even a hint of impatience in her voice.
She added, "That's why I managed to get you this deal for you. For another lawyer, the Sterling family wouldn't be willing to pay so much."
Nathan couldn't take it anymore.
He snapped, "Elaine, are you joking?
"Iris almost died, and all you can talk about is a settlement?"
Elaine said quietly but firmly, "Nathan, can you calm down?"
She turned to him, her voice was low but steely, not giving in.
She asked bluntly, "How much do you make a month? Can you afford her medical bills?
"And what about rehab, therapy, and transfer fees? Every single one costs a lot of money.
"I'm helping her fight for the best interests. What's the use of you yelling here?"
Nathan was left speechless.
He really couldn't afford it.
After the divorce, he ran a small bookstore. What he made in a month couldn't even cover the price of one pair of Elaine's shoes.
Seeing him was silent, Elaine turned back to me.
She said, "Iris, I'm your mom and a lawyer.
"I can handle this matter for you.
"I negotiated their offer up to 150 thousand dollars, plus all the medical expenses.
"You just need to sign the settlement agreement."
The settlement agreement?
She wanted me to forgive Zoe.
"Mom, this isn't the first time Zoe's hit me," I said, my voice trembling a little.
I continued, "Last semester, she yanked my hair and slapped me in the hallway. I told you. I texted you about it back then."
Elaine frowned.
She asked in confusion, "When did you ever tell me? I don't remember seeing any message."
I replied, "March 17th, April 2nd, May 14th. I texted you three times.
"But you never replied to me."
She was silent for a few seconds.
Then she said, "Things were hectic at the firm with a big IPO happening. There were so many messages coming in. Maybe I just missed them."
Just missed them.
I asked for help three times, but she never even noticed.
"Iris, let's not dwell on this now," Elaine said, her voice brisk but businesslike.
She took out a document from her bag and placed it in front of me.
She continued, "This is the settlement agreement. Look it over.
"The Sterling family's already shown a lot of goodwill."
I looked down at the settlement agreement.
It was printed in black ink on crisp white paper, every clause laid out clearly, and everything neatly formatted.
There was a bold line of words at the bottom.