The ambulance arrived at the hospital, and after examining Maria’s injuries, the doctor said to her, “How could you be so careless? Your injury is a moderate bone fracture. It will take at least three to five months before you can move again. But in the future, you need to rest and avoid lifting heavy objects. Young people these days… I’ll have the nurse put a cast on your arm and admit you for observation for a few days.”
Maria paused for a moment, afraid that Osborn would feel guilty if he heard this. She smiled lightly at the doctor and said, “It was my own fault. I hurt my arm while filming. I’ll remember what you said, but how long do I need to stay in the hospital? I still have a few scenes left…”
“If you’re like this now, don’t worry about filming for now. You need to stay in the hospital until your arm recovers completely; otherwise it might relapse after discharge,” sighed the female doctor with some helplessness.
Why don’t young people take care of their bodies these days?
“Oh yeah, your right hand is injured; after putting on the cast, you won’t be able to move or lift anything for some time. In my opinion, it’s better if someone takes care of you.”
As she spoke she looked up and saw Osborn standing nervously beside Maria; naturally assuming they were in a romantic relationship, she said to him, “Take good care of your girlfriend these next few days; she’s just a young girl who needs looking after.”
Maria was stunned as she subconsciously glanced at Osborn worriedly fearing he might have any reservations about their relationship.
“You’ve got it wrong,” Maria wanted to explain.
But before Osborn could say anything else, the doctor waved her hand dismissively saying, “Alright then! No one wants know about your personal life anyway! Jannie, come over here! Take her away and put on her cast!”
“Moderate bone fracture,” the Doctor continued as they left together with Jannie towards another room where Maria would receive treatment.
In her ward room later that day:
With her right hand immobilized by plastering, Maria lay back against pillows while Osborn sat beside her bed peeling fruits.
She looked embarrassedly towards him before finally speaking up, “I’m sorry… for all this trouble.”
“Maria, you’re being too polite,” Osborn paused for a moment, looking at Maria with confusion before smiling apologetically. “If it weren’t for you risking your life to save me just now, I would be the one lying here. It’s my fault and taking care of you is the least I can do. You don’t have to be so formal with me.”
Maria smiled back but couldn’t shake off the unease she felt from what the female doctor had said earlier. She hesitated before finally gathering her courage to speak up.
“Oh, Mr. Maltz, about what that doctor said earlier… don’t take it to heart,” Maria spoke hesitantly.
Osborn pursed his lips and chuckled casually. “It’s alright, why would I take it personally? She must have misunderstood us since we’re good friends after all. Don’t worry about it.”
Good friends… just good friends? Maria’s eyes dimmed as she lowered them and clenched her hand on top of the blanket without realizing it.
She had been prepared for this; she knew that Osborn liked Jane and had planned not to say anything forever… but his words made her feel uneasy and unwillingly determined.
“Mr. Maltz?”
“Yes?”
Both spoke almost simultaneously as Osborn handed over a sliced apple he had prepared earlier while looking at Maria expectantly.
“You go first,” he said lightly but with an encouraging smile on his face.
Maria was extremely nervous as she looked into Osborn’s eyes; knowing that there were things she shouldn’t say but if not now then when? This might be her only chance in life after all!
In the end, impulse won over reason.
Maria took a deep breath before speaking quickly yet clearly, “Mr. Maltz… the thing is that what that female doctor said earlier was just a misunderstanding; I actually really like you even though I know you like Jane too but still want to try my best because I want us together!”
Osborn was completely taken aback by Maria’s confession; he never expected her feelings towards him nor did he see women other than someone who needed protection like a younger sister.
He didn’t know how to react or respond properly in this situation either since everything happened so suddenly!
Osborn carefully considered his words before speaking. “Maria, in my heart, I feel like we are good friends. I can also help you with any professional shortcomings you may have. We can continue to maintain this kind of relationship, is that not good?”
Although Osborn didn’t explicitly say it, the rejection in his words was clear enough for Maria to feel her heart sink with each passing sentence.
It seemed like she really had no hope left.
The disappointment was evident in her eyes as she silently nodded and said softly after a moment’s thought, “Okay, I understand.”
Osborn wanted to say something to ease the tension but found himself unable to speak when the words reached his lips. The hospital room fell into an endless silence until he finally stuffed an apple into Maria’s empty hand and made up an excuse.
“Maria, I just remembered that I need to talk to the director about your injury on set… so… I won’t be able to stay here at the hospital with you for now. You should rest well and I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
The reason sounded reasonable enough but both of them knew exactly why he was leaving so hastily.
Without another glance at Maria, Osborn stood up and walked out of the room while Maria watched him leave with a heavy heart.
…
Florence had been staying in the plastic surgery hospital for quite some time. When she attempted suicide, she showed no mercy to herself, resulting in deep wounds on her wrists. Even after returning to her home country, she had to persistently apply the ointment provided by the hospital for some time to allow the wounds to gradually heal, restoring her wrists to their original state.
During this period, she consistently kept tabs on Jane and Patrick’s activities. As soon as she learned that the two of them had gone to Paris together, Florence knew that the opportunity had come. She contacted the people she had already arranged within the police department and personally visited the prison, greasing the wheels with the prison guards.