Moreover, being stranded at sea without food, severely dehydrated, and surrounded by large aquatic animals-it’s been two days already. Two days! People would almost be dried out like fish. How can they be saved now?
The nurse thought this but still comforted Ms. Protich, considering her fragile mental state. “She should be fine.”
Ms. Protich tightly gripped her arm, and her trembling body gradually calmed down after hearing this.
That night, Ms. Protich did not sleep well. She would wake up suddenly as if she had slipped on stairs in a dream, her body jerking violently and eyes wide open.
Her poor sleep meant the nurse taking care of her also didn’t rest well. Just after five o’clock, the hospital cleaners came to tidy up. The nurse made the bed, organized the cabinet, and then fetched water for Ms. Protich to wash her face and freshen up.
After finishing these tasks, she yawned, opened the curtains, and looked outside. The sky, which had been pitch dark moments ago, was starting to brighten. In the hallway, hospital staff were pushing breakfast carts. The nurse turned to Ms. Protich and asked, “Ms. Protich, what would you like for breakfast? The hospital has steamed buns, dumplings, eggs, porridge, and corn.”
“Steamed buns and porridge will do.”
“That’s not enough nutrition; how about adding an egg?”
Ms. Protich replied softly, “Okay.”
The nurse went out briefly and returned with two bags of breakfast. She had bought some for herself too-two meat buns and porridge.
She set her own meal aside and peeled an egg for Ms. Protich.
In the early morning, one’s throat tends to be dry, making it hard to swallow anything. The nurse first gave her a cup of warm water. After drinking half of it, her throat felt much better.
Ms. Protich couldn’t swallow the egg yolk alone, so the nurse mixed it into the porridge with a spoon along with some pickles to make it more palatable. She could only eat half of the steamed bun before feeling full.
“Would you like a bun? I bought some.”
“No, you eat it yourself; I don’t have much appetite.”
“Alright then.” The nurse quickly finished her breakfast and did some exercises in the room while occasionally helping Ms. Protich to the bathroom.
Ms. Protich could get out of bed now but felt weak in the legs and dizzy. When she first got up and put her feet on the ground, she almost fell forward but was caught by the nurse in time. Once her vision stabilized, she began to walk slowly.
After being able to move around a bit more freely, Ms. Protich supported herself against the bed and walls for exercise. At nine o’clock, the phone rang again; she thought it was from the insurance company but saw it was her daughter instead.
“Mom, what are you doing?”
Even her daughter’s call didn’t lift Ms. Protich’s spirits much. “Why are you calling? Do you need money again?”
She had just transferred money to her daughter a few days ago; could it be gone already?
Lily Thompson said, “Mom, I’m calling just to check on you. I still have money; don’t worry.”
It wasn’t that she was overthinking; every time Lily Thompson called, it was for money-to buy this or that. If she still earned only three thousand dollars a month as before, she wouldn’t be able to support her.
Ms. Protich sighed. “I’m in the hospital.”
“The hospital? Are you sick? Which hospital? I’ll come see you.”
“No need; I’m fine and will be discharged in a couple of days. Just take care of yourself and don’t spend recklessly.”
“You’re my mother; how can I not visit when you’re sick? I’m on break now with nothing else to do; I care about your health.”
From her voice, it was clear Lily Thompson was worried. Ms. Protich sighed again. “Alright then, come over but don’t buy anything; save your money.”
“Okay, I know. I’ll pack up and come right away.”
Ms. Protich gave her the hospital address and hung up after that.
The nurse tried to make conversation: “Your daughter called?”
“Yes.”
“How old is she?”
“Eighteen.”
“So she’s in college?”
“Yes.”
“What major? Which university?”
“A university in Peachshire Town studying landscape design. It’s summer break now; I enrolled her in an art class for painting during the break.”
The nurse remarked, “Painting must cost quite a bit of money too. Studying in Peachshire Town is already impressive; design is quite popular as well. Your daughter must be very obedient and sensible?”
Ms. Protich smiled but didn’t respond.
“By the way,” continued the nurse after a pause, “I haven’t seen any family visiting you all this time; where’s your husband?”
“We’re divorced,” replied Ms. Protich without hesitation.
The nurse was momentarily stunned but then felt awkward and stopped asking further questions. From what she had gathered so far, she could guess that Ms. Protich had raised her child alone after divorce-managing to support her education and art classes was quite commendable.
At ten o’clock, Lily Thompson hadn’t arrived yet when someone from the insurance company showed up first.
It was the man who had called Ms. Protich yesterday-he handed over his business card immediately upon arrival.
“Mrs. Thompson, we spoke on the phone yesterday; I’m Brown from Peachshire Insurance Company,” he said while handing over his card along with some documents he had brought along.
Ms. Protich glanced at the card briefly before saying politely: “Thank you for coming, Mr. Brown.”
“It’s no trouble at all; this is my job,” he replied smoothly.
Winifred Dawson had bought an insurance policy worth thirty million dollars for Ms. Protich-a lifelong policy that allowed her to start receiving pension benefits from this month onwards.
Seeing such a large amount on paper was overwhelming for Ms. Protich-it was probably her first time seeing so many zeros in one place-all invested in her name alone!
Although she had understood most of what Mr. Brown explained over their phone call yesterday evening when he asked if there were any questions left unanswered or unclear points needing further clarification today…
Just then there came some commotion outside-the door opened revealing Lily Thompson entering while muttering under breath: “Why keep doors shut during daytime? Mom are you here?”
Upon entering Lily’s eyes fell upon Mr. Brown standing inside which made her pause momentarily before spotting bedridden Ms. Protch lying nearby…
“Mom who’s this?” asked Lily suspiciously eyeing Mr. Brown warily…
Before Ms. Protch could explain about Winifred Dawson buying such huge insurance policy recently…
Lily already assumed Mr. Brown as another pesky salesman trying sell policies within hospitals-a common nuisance indeed! Her expression turned hostile instantly showing clear disdain towards him…
“My mom doesn’t need any new policies! Take your stuff leave immediately otherwise I’ll call security downstairs!” snapped Lily rudely…
“Lily wait…” began Ms. Protch anxiously trying intervene but Mr. Brown interjected calmly instead…
“You might’ve misunderstood young lady-I’m not here selling anything rather delivering important documents regarding substantial policy your mother recently acquired…”
“Substantial policy?” scoffed Lily incredulously “Sounds like scam! Insurance isn’t lottery randomly gifting people huge sums! We’re just ordinary family-Mom don’t fall prey these con artists nowadays employing sophisticated tricks duping unsuspecting victims into signing away everything!”
Mr. Brown looked bewilderedly towards Ms. Protch “Your daughter isn’t aware?”
Shaking head ruefully “I haven’t told her yet…”
No wonder…
Looking confusedly between both adults “What’re you talking about Mom? What haven’t you told me?”