As Joan put her hand on his forehead, she could feel it burning. Seized by panic, she picked him up and darted outside.
While running, her heel was accidentally caught between a gap of a manhole. Despite her struggles, she was unable to dislodge it still. However, with Leslie’s eyes still closed, she decided to leave the shoe and rushed toward the hospital.
Soon, the doctor had taken over Leslie while Joan went to the registration counter to register. She had begun to hobble her way around awkwardly.
At that moment, she had the urge to slap herself as punishment. Given how careless I am, how am I able to raise Leslie properly? Or even give him a good life? That was nothing but a fantasy.
I hope that Leslie will be fine. Or else, there’s no way I can face Larry’s parents. I wouldn’t be able to face Larry either.
Just when she was deep in thought, someone pulled her arm, causing her to regain her senses. She widened her eyes in surprise when she saw who it was.
He was wearing a white coat. When he took his hand out of his pocket and removed his facemask, a handsome face emerged before her.
Gaping, she murmured, “Dustin?”
“Joan? What happened?” when he saw how listless she looked, he grabbed her shoulders and asked. However, Joan maintained her silence.
When Dustin noticed that she was ignoring him, he looked around and saw the surrounding crowd. After which he pulled her to a corner.
“Joan, what happened to you? When I saw you walking around alone looking lost, I called out to you but you didn’t respond. What’s going on? Where’s Larry? What happened between the two of you?” Dustin’s concern was written all over his face.
Joan laughed wryly.
What happened to me? I can’t possibly tell you that you caused my marriage to break down to the extent that it has now affected my son, can I?
Nevertheless, Joan managed to maintain her rationality. Despite her anger, she was cognizant that she shouldn’t vent her frustrations on someone who had saved her life before.
After racking her brains for a long while, she couldn’t think of anything good to say. Hence, she chose to respond with silence. However, Dustin began to talk about himself.
“The research I was doing overseas has yet to yield any results. Therefore, the research committee requested data from the neurology departments of various hospitals, so that we can investigate the prevalence of neurological disease in recent years. Look, I was coming out from the neurology department with these documents before I coincidentally saw you.” Just as he spoke, he raised his hand to show her the file he was holding.
Joan shook her head as she looked into his eyes. They were filled with the same concern he used to comfort her many years ago when he was treating her overseas.
When she thought about the innumerable fights she recently had with Larry and how she was violated the night before, the tenacity within her collapsed, causing her to bawl. Just like a string of broken pearls, tears fell repeatedly from her eyes.
After knowing her for such a long time, Dustin had never seen her this way. Feeling lost for a moment, he took out a tissue from his coat and clumsily comforted her.
“Joan, please don’t cry. Someone else might be thinking that I have bullied you. Tell me what happened? We can definitely solve it together.”
“I made a mistake last night when I left him alone at home with a fever. I only managed to bring him to the hospital just a moment ago. Hence, I am utterly devastated. Given how careless I am, how am I able to raise my son properly or even give him a good life?”
Dustin didn’t help her wipe her tears. Instead, he handed her the tissue and remarked softly, “Everyone makes mistakes so don’t get too caught up by it. What’s done is done. There will definitely be a solution. As a researcher, I enjoy a good relationship with the doctors here. Come, let’s find your son a specialist. He will advise the best course of treatment based on your son’s situation. So, stop worrying.”
As Joan sobbed softly, she apologized, “I’m sorry to have lost my composure in front of you. Anyway, I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
