Chapter 72
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I was momentarily at a loss for words. Jeremy’s tone seemed to carry an emotion I couldn’t quite place.
After a brief pause, I managed a smile. “Dr. Norman, you’re very capable, so it’s only natural that the hospital values you. To thank you, I’ll bring coffee for everyone in your office when I stop by this afternoon.”
“This afternoon? The checkup needs to be done in the morning. What do you need to see me for in the afternoon? I have time then.”
Awkward… I forced a smile and shrugged. “It’s fine. I’ll just order it now.”
Jeremy glanced at me, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he asked, “What about the little one?”
I won’t
It took me a second to realize he was asking about Juno. “He’s at home. The nanny and my sister are with him. Clara took the day off today.”
Jeremy nodded. “A child needs more time outdoors. It’s good for his health.”
Thanks for the reminder, Dr. Norman.”
Just then, someone called out to him. He gave me a quick nod before heading off. I let out a breath as soon as he was gone.
Martha, looking uneasy, asked, “Did you upset Dr. Norman? Why did he speak to you like that?”
I was just as confused. “I don’t know.”
I wasn’t close with Jeremy. Besides Martha’s treatment and the time I got injured, we didn’t have much to do with each other. I thought, ‘Oh, and that button… Dr. Norman has given it to me. I owe him a huge favor.
That thought cleared things up for me. I gently pulled Martha into the exam room. “Don’t worry. I know what to do.”
After I spent the morning at the hospital, just as we were about to head home, my phone rang. It was Clara. “Sylvia, something’s wrong with Juno. I’ve called an ambulance.”
My heart sank. “What’s going on?”
“He’s in shock. He’s unconscious. Clara’s voice cracked, but he stayed calm. The ambulance is here, and I’m going with him. We’ll meet at the Children’s Hospital.”
to panic in front of her.
I hung up the phone, my hands shaking uncontrollably. But Martha was still there, and I didn’t want to I forced myself to stay calm. “You go home first. I need to take care of something…”
Before I could finish, Martha was already on edge. “What, do you think I can’t hear? I heard what Clara said. Don’t stand there like a statue, go grab a cab, and let’s get to the Children’s Hospital!”
I was taken aback. I had expected Martha, the one I thought I needed to take care of, to be the one to panic. But instead, she was strong when it mattered most.
We grabbed a cab, and by the time we arrived at the Children’s Hospital, we were just a few minutes behind the ambulance.
I saw Juno being wheeled into the emergency room, and a wave of emptiness swept over me.
“What happened?” I managed to choke out, fighting back tears as I turned to Clara.
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14:45 Mon, 17 Feb M
Chapter 72
Clara’s eyes were bloodshot, and her voice wavered. “This morning, I was playing with Juno–garnes, stories, you name it. After a while, he started playing with his toys by himself, so I went to the kitchen to check on lunch.
“When I came back… Juno had collapsed. No matter how much I called his name, he didn’t respond.”
My heart was racing in my chest. I thought, ‘How can Juno have just collapsed like that? I have no time to prepare, and now he is in the ER.
The waiting felt endless. Every second stretched on, and my mind was blank–too afraid to think, too overwhelmed to process anything. I didn’t even know how to cry anymore.
Finally, the doctor came out and asked, “Who is Juno’s guardian?”
I rushed over. Tm the one.
“You’re Juno’s mother, right?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Please come with me. The child’s condition is a bit complicated.”
The moment the doctor said that, my legs nearly gave way. Inside the office, the doctor briefly explained Juno’s situation.
“Wait… heart disease? Congenital? How is that even possible?” I couldn’t believe my ears.
“Yes, it’s a rare condition. Usually, it doesn’t show up in childhood, but as the child grows, the symptoms worsen
