At the hospital, Tuff had no idea Joyce was already scheming behind his back. All his attention was devoted to Ka.
After what felt like forever, Ka finally opened her eyes. “Honey?”
“How are you feeling now? Does it still hurt?” Tuff asked, his voice full of concern. His heart was in his throat. He hated hearing Ka say she was in pain. The doctors had done all they could. If the pain didn’t go away, she’d have to tough it out.
“I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt much anymore,” Ka replied, trying to move slightly. But as soon as she shifted, a rush of blood soaked through the sheets.
Panic surged through her, and she froze and was scared to move again.
“Honey?” Tuff noticed Ka spacing out and waved a hand before her face, trying to get her attention.
“It’s aplication, isn’t it?” Ka asked, her voice trembling.
Ka let out a sigh, already knowing the answer in her heart.
‘It is hitting me hard. With this much blood every month, it’s enough to leave me half dead. How am I supposed to keep going like this?‘ Ka wondered, a sense of helplessness washing over her.
“Honey, don’t worry! Dr. Shawn is already out getting the medicine,” Tuff said, forcing a reassuring smile.
Did he think he could fool someone as sharp as Ka?
Ka just couldn’t bring herself to call him out on it.
“Alright, I’m not scared,” Ka replied softly.
“Mm–hmm,” Tuff murmured.
Tuff’s smile was finally genuine this time.
“Honey, are you hungry? What do you want to eat?” Tuff asked.
“Barbecue,” Ka replied without hesitation.
“Alright,” Landen replied.
Tuff wasted no time and started making arrangements.
“My wife is awake and needs some nourishment. Get some barbecue and mushroom soup ready and bring them over right away…”
With just one order from Tuff, the kitchen at the Prescott family was suddenly bustling.
Ka reached out and gently touched Tuff’s face. “Honey, you are so nice to me.”
“Well, duh. I’m your husband!” Tuff grinned, holding her hand and giving <b>it </b>a gentle squeeze.
His gaze and smile overflowed with love, chasing away all the worries in Ka’s heart.
“Did Betty get scared?” Ka asked.
“At first, yeah. She thought you might’ve had a miscarriage, and it shook her. But you know my grandma. She’s seen it all, <b>nothing </b>rattles her for long. Once she found out what was going on, she told me to take good care of you, Tuff said.
“And your mom…”
“She stayed at the hospital for a long while and didn’t leave until you were moved to your ward. She was so relieved it wasn’t <b>a </b>miscarriage,” Tuff replied.
Ka listened, smiling.
‘Will I ever be able to give Tuff a family?‘ Ka
She needed to ask the doctor.
WE thinking about her current condition.
However, she never got the chance. Tuff was always there whenever the doctor came by.
The doctors always chose their words carefully. “Mrs. Prescott, you’re anemic right <i>now</i><i>, </i>so it’s best not to think about having kids for now.”
“You’re still young, Mrs. Prescott. No need to rush. Just focus on getting healthy first.”
Their words were so sugarcoated that they didn’t even sound real.
Ka’s suspicions red up, so she called Gloria. “Mom, what was the reason that Amy couldn’t give birth before?”
“Why are you suddenly asking about that?” Gloria replied,zily sprawled on the couch.
She wasn’t even sixty yet, but ever <i>since </i>her stomach surgery, she seemed to be aging much faster, and didn’t have the energy she
used to.
“I just remembered and thought I’d ask,” Ka said, smiling as usual.
Gloria replied, “It was the aftereffects of the poisoning. She had bad cramps and heavy bleeding every month. After she was detoxed, everything went back to normal.”
“Oh, I see. Did she have to stay in the hospital?” Ka asked.
“No. She just took it easy at home. You’re being a bit weird with your questions today, Ka,” Gloria said.
“I have a friend who has symptoms simr to Amy’s, <i>so </i>I was curious,” Ka exined.
“Who?” Gloria finally sounded anxious.
‘Does my daughter have friends here in Lunova?‘ she wondered.
“Just a friend I knew back in Dreicean,” Ka replied.
“Oh.” Gloria let out a breath, clearly relieved.
They chatted for a bit about life in Lunoya before hanging up.
Ka felt cold despair settling deep in her chest. She couldn’t remember feeling this hopeless.
Ka thought, ‘Amelia’s condition was far less serious than mine back then, but it had affected Amelia’s fertility.
<b>08:00 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>25 </b><b>Aug </b>MO
‘Now that things are this bad for me, it’s going to be worse.
I’ll never get a straight answer at the hospital. Time to find Giovanna.‘
Ka sent a message: [Ms. Hughes, I’m in Lunova now. Do you have time to meet up and talk about my face?]
“Sure, I’lle and find you tonight after I finish up at the hospital,” Giovanna called Ka back right away.
It showed how much she cared about Ka.
Ka was delighted. “Which hospital are you at? I’m at a hospital, too.”
“Where?” Giovanna asked.
“Lake View Hospital,” Ka replied.
It turned out that they were both at the Lake View Hospital. What a coincidence!
They agreed to meet in the obstetrics and gynecology department.
Ka’s period was almost over, and she was feeling much better.
After changing and washing in the bathroom, she slipped out of her ward while Tuff was gone.
She didn’t expect to run into Joyce first.
“Why are you out of bed, Ka? With your condition, you should be resting,” Joyce said, feigning concern.
Just seeing Joyce was enough to annoy Ka.
‘Joyce is such a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She’s up to something,‘ Ka thought.
“I’m getting discharged tomorrow. I’m taking a little walk,” Ka replied.
“Oh, right. It’s been seven days already,” Joyce said, acting like she just remembered. “But you’ll have to stay here for a few days every month from now on. Honestly, I feel bad just thinking about it.”
Ka narrowed her eyes and said, “Have you read my medical records?”
“Maggie is worried about you, so she told me about your condition,” Joyce said, clearly waiting for Ka to press for more.
Joyce figured Ka still had no clue how bad things were. She was waiting for Ka to ask, so she could drop the bomb on Ka.
However, Ka just shot Joyce a nce and walked off.
‘Did she just walk away?‘ Joyce thought, her expression faltering.
Joyce’s face darkened as she shouted after Ka, “They’re lying to you! Don’t you want to know the truth about your condition?”
“Nope.” Tuff shrugged with a look of distaste. “We just got married, and I’m not done enjoying our time alone yet!”
Not willing to give up, Joyce chased after her and blocked her way. “You can’t run from this! Face it. You’re never going to have kids again!”
‘So it is true… Ka thought, her mind reeling.
<b>08:00 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>25 </b><b>Aug </b>M GIO
Her heart plummeted, like someone had mmed a fist right into her chest.
However, no matter how much it hurt, she refused to let Joyce see her break.
Ka kept her cool and asked, “Isn’t it illegal to vite family consent and spill a patient’s condition like that?”
Joyce’s face went ghostly white. “Seriously, Ka? You’re crazy! You want to talk about this now?”
“What else should I do? Thank you for traumatizing me and then passing out?” Ka sneered. “Dr. Lambert, I’m going to sue you!”
“You…” Joyce stammered.
“Security cameras caught you yelling at me and blocking my way. The nurses and everyone passing by heard every word you said. That’s all the proof I need,” Ka said coldly.
Joyce was left speechless.
Reputation was everything for a doctor. Joyce knew she’d messed up big time. If Ka went through with thewsuit, it was not just her job that was at risk. She might never be able to practice medicine again.
“I’m sorry. I lost my head…” Joyce stammered.
“Actions have consequences,” Ka shot back, her voice icy.
Ka didn’t let Joyce get another word in. She whipped out her phone and called the hospital director’s office to file aint, not giving Joyce a chance to beg for forgiveness.
She’d been putting up with Joyce for way too long.
Joyce’s face went pale as she lunged for Ka’s phone.
With her back to Joyce, Ka couldn’t handle that kind of force and was caught off guard.
She stumbled forward, about to hit the ground, but someone reached out and caught her just in time.
“How could anyone dare bully Mrs. Prescott here in Lunova?” Giovanna said, steadying Ka and shooting Joyce a sharp lock.
When Joyce saw Giovanna, she immediately turned away, like a mouse spotting a cat.
“Dr. Lambert, please wait,” Giovanna called out.
Joyce had no choice but to stop, forcing a smile. “Dr. Hughes, you haven’t worked here in ages. What brings you back?”
“The director invited me for a consultation,” Giovanna replied, giving Joyce a once–over. “All these years, and you’re still as fake as
ever.”
“Please watch yournguage, Dr. Hughes,” Joyce said, her face darkening with anger.
“Leaking a patient’s diagnosis to upset the patient, then getting physical when the patient tries toin… Dr. Lambert, you’re something. I’ll make sure the director hears every detail,” Giovanna said.
Then, Giovanna helped Ka back to her ward.
Joyce stood there, and her face drained of all color.
08:00 Mon, 25 Aug MCO
I’m finished. My whole career is toast,‘ she thought in utter despair.
AD