As soon as Leah returned from Indrah, she rushed straight to Director Rowe with the medicine.
To her surprise, upon hearing that she had sourced the medicine herself and that it was a generic drug, Director Rowe flatly refused to administer it to the patient.
At her wit’s end, Josh suggested transferring hospitals. He mentioned he had connections at a foreign-funded hospital where they could relocate for treatment. Domestic hospitals were cautious with medication, whereas foreign-funded ones were more willing to try new international drugs.
When Leah discussed the transfer with her uncle and aunt, they exchanged a glance. Aunt Jane pulled Leah aside and asked in a hushed voice, "Leah, is something going on between you and Kian?"
"No, we’re perfectly fine," Leah replied, blinking.
"Don’t lie to me." Aunt Jane sighed. "Your uncle has been hospitalized, and Kian hasn’t visited once. He’s not even as caring as your brother’s friend."
Leah froze.
Aunt Jane looked at her with heartache. "Your uncle and I treat you like our own daughter, so let me give you some advice. No matter how much you like him, don’t let yourself suffer."
Uncle Quentin weakly raised a hand. Aunt Jane walked over and leaned close to his lips, listening as he whispered a few words. She returned and told Leah, "Your uncle says to arrange the transfer as soon as possible. He doesn’t want to accept any favors from the Hawthornes."
Leah smiled bitterly, wondering what favors there even were. They were staying in a regular ward and paying for their own medical expenses.
With the decision made, Leah stepped out of the ward to find Josh waiting by the door.
"All settled?" he asked.
"Josh, my uncle agreed to the transfer."
"Alright, I’ll go handle the paperwork. You start packing their things."
Director Rowe was astonished by the Sinclairs’ decision to transfer, but there was nothing he could do. He could only politely plead with Leah not to complain to Mr. Hawthorne.
The transfer went smoothly, and they moved that very day. The new hospital campus was expansive with an excellent environment, consisting entirely of private rooms. Josh specifically contacted an expert from Europe to be Mr. Sinclair’s attending physician.
Time was of the essence, and the treatment plan was finalized on the same day. After examining the generic drug Leah had brought back, the expert immediately decided to use it and switch up the therapy.
Something had happened at Ash’s factory, so he rushed back to handle it, leaving Leah to stay at the hospital day and night for three days. Over these three days, Josh visited daily, staying for four or five hours each time.
The effects of the new drug became apparent three days later. Uncle Quentin’s cancer cells stopped spreading, and his condition finally stabilized.
The moment she saw the report, the tension and anxiety of the past few days instantly drained from Leah’s body, taking away the last straw of strength that had been keeping her upright. The world spun around her. She tilted backward and collapsed into a warm embrace.
The doctors and nurses immediately swarmed around them.
Looking at the soft figure in his arms, Josh said helplessly, "She fell asleep."
She was simply too exhausted. He scooped her up; she felt as light as a feather in his arms.
A separate ward was arranged for her. The doctor prescribed a glucose drip and set up the IV. To ensure she rested well, they even administered a mild sedative.
Josh sat by her side, keeping watch the entire time. He gazed at her face for a long while before slowly leaning in and whispering into her ear, "I’m here. You don’t have to be afraid anymore."
Leah had a very long dream. In it, she returned to the year she was twelve. The sea was like a mirror. She stood upon it, the surface beneath her feet a transparent, solid blue.
A young boy held her hand, leading her forward. The light was so blinding that she couldn’t see his face; she only knew his hand was large and very warm.
"Don’t be afraid. I’m here," he said.
She followed him. The sea stretched out beneath their feet, seemingly endless. As they walked, the boy’s silhouette gradually lengthened, his shoulders broadened, and the hand holding hers grew thicker and firmer. He transformed into a mature man. Dressed in a white suit, his eyes and brow were gentle, as if he had stepped right out of the light.
He looked at her, smiled, and said, "I’m back."
When Leah woke up, she found that it was already dark outside. This was a VIP ward with a living room outside. Through the crack in the door, she could hear the low hum of Ash and Josh conversing.
It was then she remembered that after reading the report, she had completely let her guard down—and then everything had gone blank. She wondered if she had fainted and been carried into the room.
Leah was just about to get out of bed when the door opened. Ash stood in the doorway looking at her. His gaze was warm, swirling with restrained, complex emotions. Josh stood behind him.
"Leah." Ash strode over and covered her hand with his. "Dad is fine now. His condition is under control." He paused, his Adam’s apple bobbing. "You saved him. Thank you for everything."
Tears instantly welled up in her eyes. Noticing an outsider present, she fought desperately to hold them back. Josh handed her a handkerchief right on cue.
"Ash, your sister is very capable," he said with a smile, his voice warm and deep. "She studied the medical literature on her own and communicated with the pharmaceutical factory’s director. Her questions were highly professional."
"My sister has always been a top student," Ash chuckled.
Leah dabbed away her tears with the handkerchief. What was the point of bringing up the past? She hadn’t undergone a medical residency after graduation and didn’t even have the qualifications to be a doctor.
"You must be hungry," Josh said, looking at her. "Your brother and I agreed that once you woke up, we’d take you out for a good meal to help you regain your strength."
Ash looked tenderly at his sister. "Leah, what do you want to eat?"
She was genuinely starving; her stomach was practically touching her spine. The Michelin-starred chicken pot from last time was quite delicious, but she was too embarrassed to bring it up.
"How about that chicken pot place from last time?" Josh asked.
Leah paused for a moment before nodding.
"You two have eaten together before? When was that?" Ash asked.
Josh raised an eyebrow. "What? Can’t I treat your sister to a meal if we happen to bump into each other?"
Ash laughed. "Chicken pot is good. It’s nutritious and easy to digest."
Leah looked at Josh, tilted her head, and smiled softly. She suddenly felt as if she had gained another older brother.
During dinner, Ash ordered some beer. "To you, Josh." He raised a full glass. "You’re our family’s savior."
Leah followed suit, raising her teacup. "Thank you, Josh. If there’s ever anything I can help you with, just let me know."
"Then could you stop making me sound so old?"
"When did I do that?" Leah glanced at her own brother. "Neither of you is old."
Halfway through the meal, Ash received a call from the factory regarding what seemed to be an urgent matter. He frowned, hung up the phone, and explained that he had to head back first to handle it, asking Josh to drop Leah home.
After he left, Leah and Josh continued to eat at a leisurely pace for another hour.
Leah suddenly remembered. "Is Nemo at home? We should have brought him out to eat with us."
"It’s alright. I plan on taking him for a walk later; it’s not far from the river here."
Leah was quite fond of Nemo as well, so she asked, "I haven’t gone for a walk in a long time either. Could I walk Nemo?"
The corners of Josh’s lips curled up slightly. "The leash is yours."
After finishing their meal, they went downstairs to pay the bill. The television above the owner’s head was broadcasting a piece of provincial news.
"Silvane’s grand memorial ceremony..."
A familiar figure flashed across the screen. Kian, dressed in a tailored black suit and matching tie, moved gracefully through the memorial reception. Holding a wine glass, he toasted table by table, thanking the guests as if he were already the son-in-law of the Shaws.
Selene, wearing a white dress with a small white flower pinned in her hair, looked pale and pitifully fragile. She gently clung to Kian’s arm, accompanying him as they toasted and thanked the attendees together.
It wasn’t until the news segment ended that Leah finally withdrew her gaze. Turning her head, she met Josh’s eyes.
"How enthusiastic of him," he remarked with a faint smile. "What a good man."
Leah forced a small smile. "He’s just there to help out. Don’t overthink it."
"Right," he paused. "Are we still keeping this from your brother?"
Leah lowered her eyes.
"Don’t worry. My lips are sealed."