Chapter 2

The iced tea bottle in Flora's hand gave a little click. When she looked up, her eyes were practically overflowing with scheming. "Girl, what are you really getting at?"

"No hidden meaning," I replied with a harmless smile. "With my health, I won't be able to stick around for him much longer. He needs someone who actually knows how to take care of him, right?"

Flora stared at me for half a minute, then suddenly grinned, flashing her cute little canine teeth. "Alright, I'll take the job."

Later that night, I brought Flora home.

Helen was already gone. Someone like her, who hates anything tiring, would never stick around overnight.

I pushed open the bedroom door. Xavier was awake, spacing out at the ceiling.

"Xavier, this is Flora. She'll be taking care of you from now on," I said, tucking the blanket around him and making my voice extra gentle. "My health just isn't up to it. I can't let you go without someone to care for you..."

Before I could finish, tears started falling, splattering onto his hand.

Xavier glanced at Flora, his gaze complicated.

Flora stood by the door, head slightly bowed, her eyes darting toward the bed.

"Flora, could you step out for a bit? I need to talk to him alone," I said.

Flora nodded and quietly closed the door.

I sat down by the bed, looking at Xavier.

Back in my last life, I was crying and promising him, "Don't worry, honey. No matter how long it takes, I'll always be here to take care of you."

But I was not that naive anymore.

I held his hand, and tears started to fall.

"Xavier, I'm sorry. My health just isn't good enough. I can't take care of you myself. I found Flora for you. She's warm, reliable, and honestly, way better at this than I am. Please don't hold it against me..."

Xavier was stunned. He never expected me to cry.

"Elsie, what are you saying? You're my wife..."

"I know," I said, wiping my tears. "But I just want you to be well taken care of. Flora's been divorced for years, raising her son all alone. It's tough for her, and this job is exactly what she needs right now."

"Don't say such nonsense!" he said, squeezing my hand tighter.

I kept my head down, my shoulders shaking with sobs, but inside, I was laughing.

I wanted Xavier to feel touched and guilty. He was about to step right into his personal hell.

I stood up. "Flora, come on in. Help Xavier clean up. I'll go make some porridge."

Flora stepped in right away.

"Mr. Doherty, let me help you clean up," Flora said, her voice soft and gentle. As she bent over, the pearl brooch at her collar swayed, catching Xavier's eye.

I turned to head to the kitchen, and just as I reached the door, I heard Flora quietly say, "Mr. Doherty, your hands look so nice, unlike mine, all rough from years of hard work..."

It was only the first day and Flora already knew exactly what to do.

That night, I made sure to hit the sack early. Right before bed, I told Flora, "Flora, Xavier gets thirsty at night, so keep an eye out for him. I'm a light sleeper. Once I'm up, I can't get back to sleep, so I'm counting on you."

Flora gave me a warm, genuine smile. "Relax. That's exactly what I'm here for."

At three in the morning, I quietly grabbed my phone and pulled up the living room camera.

Just as expected, Flora was in the bedroom, sitting by Xavier's bed, peeling an apple.

She took her sweet time, the peel coming off in one long, perfect strip. Every so often, she'd look up at Xavier, leaning in a little closer each time.

Xavier couldn't take his eyes off her hands, totally mesmerized.

I switched off my phone, grinning as I pressed my hand to my chest.

Xavier was annoyed at how clumsy I was when I took care of him. Now he should be happy since he got someone quick and clever.

Early the next morning, I went to talk to Flora.

"Flora, let's lay it all out," I said.

I settled onto the living room couch. "1.5 thousand dollars , meals and a place to stay. All you gotta do is take care of my husband, keep him company, wipe him down, give him a massage, feed him, and be ready whenever he calls."

Flora nodded. "I can handle all that."

I smiled. "Flora, how many years has it been since your husband passed?"

"Fifteen years," she replied.

"How old is your son?" I asked.

"Twenty-five. He works at a mall, still single," she said.

"Thinking about buying a house, huh?" I asked.

She went quiet for a long moment.

I pulled out a stack of cash from my bag and set it on the table. "Flora, that's three grand, two months' pay up front. Do a good job, and I won't shortchange you."

Flora's eyes flickered as she stared at the money.

"Flora," I said, standing up, "my husband is paralyzed. He might never walk again. But he has a house, savings, and over $1,000 a month in pension. Treat him well, and he won't let you down."

Flora looked up and nodded. "You can count on me, girl. I'll get the job done."

That afternoon, Helen dropped by.

She walked in and saw Flora giving Xavier a massage, and her face dropped on the spot.