On the third day after a successful surgery, Carl’s severe cold had developed into a hoarse throat, making it difficult for him to speak.
In the morning, Jerry came out of the ward to accompany him and saw Carl sleeping with his head tilted, shaking his head and sighing.
After all, Jerry was not a heartless person, and he had seen everything Carl had done during this period.
Jerry didn’t wake Carl up. Instead, he walked quietly, not wanting to disturb him from his sleep.
A moment later, when Tracy came out to fetch water, Jerry returned from outside with a bag of breakfast.
Carl was awakened by the noise and saw the elderly couple standing in front of the ward. He immediately stood up and greeted them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, good morning…”
Carl’s voice was very hoarse, sounding like a crow being strangled by the neck.
Apart from being harsh and unpleasant, he also felt a sharp pain in his throat, as if it was being torn apart.
Jerry and Tracy exchanged glances when they heard Carl’s voice change.
“Why is your voice hoarse?”
“Yeah, didn’t you say your cold was almost gone? Yesterday you just had a stuffy nose…”
The elderly couple began to realize that Carl was lying.
Immediately, Jerry handed the breakfast to his wife and, without waiting for Carl to explain, forcefully took him to the hospital outpatient department for treatment.
After a simple examination, Carl was diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection.
Fortunately, Jerry acted decisively. According to the doctor, if Carl continued to tough it out, it would definitely turn into severe pneumonia within three days.
After receiving a saline infusion, Carl felt somewhat relieved.
But he couldn’t stop himself. As soon as the nurse removed the needle, he couldn’t wait to go find Nana.
Hastily returning to the hospital ward, Carl first visited his daughter and learned that she had already recovered from the fever, and her previous symptoms had significantly diminished.
This was undoubtedly the best news in recent days. He knew that the bone marrow he had transplanted to his daughter was working.
After thanking the doctors and nurses, Carl hurriedly went to share the good news with Nana.
A moment later, he walked out of the elevator and just turned the corner of the corridor when he saw a familiar figure ahead.
The figure was that of a young woman, who didn’t look older than twenty-five. With long hair flowing behind her and a fashion sense rarely seen in ordinary people.
“Grace?”
Carl recognized her and was greatly shocked by the familiar figure.
How did she come to the hospital?
The direction in front was exactly the way to Nana’s ward. Carl immediately thought that Grace might have been sent by Mrs. Waters to cause trouble for Nana.
Realizing that his mother was still causing trouble, an unnamed anger surged in Carl’s heart.
He strode forward and caught up with Grace, directly blocking her way when she was less than ten meters away from Nana’s ward.
“What are you doing here? Did my mom send you?”
Facing Grace, Carl’s words were direct, and his tone was far from polite.
Grace was taken aback, sensing Carl’s strong hostility, and immediately began to feign innocence and vulnerability.
“Carl, you’ve misunderstood. I came to find you…”
She softly explained, casting a timid glance at Carl. “You haven’t been home for almost a week. I came to the hospital to tell you that your mother is sick. She has been lying in bed for several days.”
Upon hearing that Mrs. Waters seemed to be seriously ill, Carl’s annoyance diminished.
“My mom is sick? Why didn’t she go to the hospital?”
Carl couldn’t help but worry, and he couldn’t be heartless.
Grace smiled awkwardly and sighed, explaining, “She is upset with you and says you won’t let her go to the hospital. No matter how we persuade her, she won’t listen.”
Upon hearing this, Carl couldn’t help but laugh and cry.
“I just told her not to argue with Nana anymore that day. When did I say she couldn’t go to the hospital?”
Carl could only feel utter resignation in his heart regarding his mother’s misinterpretation of his words.
Grace made a helpless expression, as if she had no way to deal with Mrs. Waters, then she began to speak kindly, making a request, “Carl, why don’t you come home with me first? Talk to her and bring her to the hospital for a check-up.”
According to reason, as Mrs. Waters’ son, Carl had an obligation and responsibility to go back and take care of his mother.
However, ever since the incident where Mrs. Waters was almost detained, Carl had become cold-hearted towards his closest relatives.
Moreover, even though Grace appeared pitiful, who could guarantee that she wasn’t colluding with Mrs. Waters to put on a show?
Considering various factors, Carl didn’t immediately agree to Grace’s request.
Of course, he had to be tactful in his response.
“I still won’t go back. You know my mom’s temper. If I appear in front of her, it will only make matters worse.”
After politely refusing, Carl tried to get Grace to leave as soon as possible by adding, “If she’s really sick, I can call an ambulance immediately.”
Grace didn’t expect that Carl was determined not to go home.
It seemed that she needed to change her strategy for this play!
Without responding, Grace blinked her eyes, until a glimmer of cunning flashed through her eyes.
“Carl, are you really not coming back with me? She really needs you now!”
Grace further tried to persuade him, hoping to deceive Carl into coming back home using various means, as instructed by Mrs. Waters.
Little did she know, Carl stood firm in his position and gently told her, “Actually, compared to me, my mom needs you more, so there’s no need to persuade me.”
Carl’s throat was severely hoarse, making it difficult for him to speak. He struggled to finish his sentence and walked into Nana’s ward without looking back.
Watching Carl disappear from sight, Grace bit her lip harshly.
“You’re truly heartless!”
She understood that no one could persuade Carl, and even if she followed him into the ward, it would be useless.
Angrily cursing, Grace turned around and retraced her steps.
At the same time, as Carl entered the ward, he noticed that Jerry and Tracy’s expressions seemed off.
But before he could ask, Tracy smiled and informed him, “Carl, please have a seat. We’re going to have a meeting today, the four of us.”
“A meeting?”
Carl raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked with confusion, “What is the topic of this meeting?”
Tracy gave the opportunity to speak to her husband. Jerry spoke up loudly, “It’s about you and Nana’s future.”
When Carl and Grace were talking in the corridor earlier, Jerry intended to leave. However, he heard voices from the corridor just as he reached the door.
Upon realizing Carl’s relationship with this woman, Jerry discovered that their relationship wasn’t as harmonious as he had imagined.
It could even be described as estranged.
At least from Carl’s perspective, he always kept his distance from Grace.
Unfortunately, the future seemed so distant and unattainable for Carl, like unreachable stars.
He closed his mouth and waited for Jerry and Tracy to express their thoughts.
Nana, sitting on the hospital bed, blushed and seemed to already know what her parents were going to discuss.
She purposely avoided looking at Carl, but the joy on her face was evident.