Chapter 7

In the afternoon, Vivian and I hit the shops together.

I treated myself to a bunch of gorgeous clothes I never dared to buy before.

When I swiped my card, I didn't feel guilty at all. I knew I deserved it.

I was about to head out for a big meal to celebrate my new life, arms full of shopping bags.

Just then, my phone rang. It was an unknown number.

I picked up. "Hello?"

On the other end, a woman's voice sounded anxious. "This is the community hospital calling. May I speak with Jenny Shaw?"

My heart skipped a beat. "This is she. What's going on?"

The nurse replied, "There's an elderly gentleman named Henry Miller who fell at home.

"We came to check on him. He's fine, just a few scrapes. But..."

She sounded a bit hesitant. "He's very agitated, keeps murmuring your name, and won't let anyone near him.

"Would you be able to come over?"

I stood there, frozen, phone still in my hand.

I hung up, my face going pale.

Vivian noticed something was off. "What's wrong?"

"Henry fell," I repeated what the nurse had told me.

Vivian's brows furrowed. "At a time like this?"

She fell silent for a moment. "Jenny, don't panic."

"Maybe it's a coincidence, or maybe the Millers are laying a trap for you.

"They could be using Henry's condition to guilt you into doing what they want."

Of course, I'd thought of that, too.

But then I pictured Henry's wrinkled, weathered face, and those gentle eyes that always looked at me with kindness. My heart softened.

"I know." I took a deep breath. "But I still want to go see him. He's a patient, after all.

"And he's the only Miller who's never been cruel to me."

Vivian looked at me, her eyes full of mixed emotions. Finally, she sighed. "Alright. I'll go with you.

"But promise me, no matter what they say, don't go soft on them. Don't let your heart waver.

"We're visiting a patient, not going back to be their maid.

"Remember, your lawyer is right here with you."

I gave a determined nod.

Vivian and I hopped in a cab and headed straight for the community hospital.

The hospital wasn't crowded.

The nurse led us to Henry's temporary ward.

We pushed open the door and saw him sitting all by himself on the bed.

There was a scrape on the back of his hand, blood seeping from it.

A young nurse stood by, cotton swabs and antiseptic in hand, wearing a troubled expression.

The moment Henry saw me, the restless worry in his eyes dissolved into sudden brightness.

He grew emotional, making hoarse, indistinct sounds in his throat, and reached out with his uninjured hand, desperate to hold onto me.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

My heart clenched hard.

I rushed over and grabbed his hand. "Dad, I'm here."

My voice was rough with emotion. "Take it easy, I'm right here with you."

My words soothed him.

Henry gradually settled down, but he still clung tightly to my hand.

I turned to the nurse. "Let me take care of this."

I took the cotton swab and antiseptic, cleaned Henry's wound with practiced hands, applied the medicine, and wrapped it up neatly with gauze.

Henry followed my lead without a fuss, like a child who trusted me completely.

Vivian watched quietly from the side, her gaze soft with understanding and sympathy.

Just then, the door to the ward was flung open. Hank and Mandy burst in.

They froze for a second when they saw me, then their faces twisted with anger and resentment.

"Jenny!" Mandy's shrill scream shattered the quiet in the ward. "You jinx. How dare you show your face here?

"Did you curse Henry? How could he fall for no reason?"

She was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, claws out and teeth bared, ready to pounce at me.

Vivian stepped protectively in front of me, blocking Mandy. "Ma'am, please calm down.

"This is a hospital, not a place for you to make a scene."

Mandy was subdued by Vivian's cold, commanding presence, but she remained sharp-tongued. "Who do you think you are? Get lost!"