Chapter 335
“What p>
“She might never walk normally again p>
The doctor’s words struck like a thunderclap, plunging the hospital room into stunned silence.
Amanda, Gavin, and their daughter Ann all froze. Just three minutes ago, Amanda had felt relieved she’d stopped Caitlin from touching Ann. She’d even congratulated herself for protecting her child. Now, out of nowhere, the doctor was telling them Ann might never walk the same way again.
Amanda’s mind reeled, her face draining of color. For a moment, she wondered if she’d misheard. She forced a shaky smile and looked up at the doctor. “Dr. Aaron, you—you’re joking, right p>
Gavin snapped out of his shock. “Yes, Dr. Aaron,” he said, his voice tight. “My daughter was hurt in the abdomen. How could that possibly affect her legs? You must be joking p>
Dr. Aaron’s expression was grave. “I would never joke about something like this. As I explained, the injury is in a very tricky spot. The trauma affected the nerves that control movement in her legs. If you don’t understand, I can show you on this anatomy chart p>
He flipped open a medical textbook and pointed. “Here—this is where Ann was hurt. These nerves connect directly to the legs p>
He explained in detail, outlining the pathways and the implications. None of it made Ann feel any better.
For Ann, the world seemed to collapse around her. She sat, white as a sheet, barely hearing a word. All she could think was: I’m going to be crippled. I’ll be disabled for the rest of my life.
Amanda struggled to hold herself together. She turned to Dr. Aaron. “Is it really that serious p>
“It could result in permanent disability,” he replied.
Permanent disability.
Gavin’s voice cracked. “You mean my daughter might actually have a limp for the rest of her life p>
Dr. Aaron nodded. “Yes. Honestly, this could have been avoided if someone with medical knowledge had done the right emergency procedures. But no one in your family knew what to do. If you had, this wouldn’t have happened p>
Amanda went ghostly pale.
So-
Caitlin was telling the truth all along. Caitlin hadn’t lied.
If only she’d listened last night. If only she hadn’t turned Caitlin away.
Oh God.
What are we going to do now?
Suddenly, Ann snapped. With a scream, she grabbed the vase from the bedside table and hurled it to the floor.
Crash!
The vase shattered into pieces.
Ann broke down in tears. “Dad, Mom, I don’t want to be a cripple! I don’t want to be disabled p>
If she really ended up with a limp, she’d never wear heels again, never fit into a designer dress. People would laugh at her-give her ugly nicknames. The more she thought about it, the more hopeless she felt.
She remembered back in high school, there was a girl in her class with a limp. Everyone called her “Limp Lizzie.” Three years went by, and nobody ever used her real name.
And soon, the Sylvester family would be moving to the capital. If she became disabled, would Master Ninth ever even notice her?
No. Never.
Amanda and Gavin rushed to her side, wrapping her in their arms.
“Ann, don’t be afraid, sweetheart,” Amanda whispered, voice trembling. “I promise you, Mom will do everything to save you. I won’t let this happen to you, I swear. I’m here, honey. I’m right here p>
Gavin echoed, “And so am I. Dad’s right here p>
Slowly, Ann’s sobs began to subside.
Amanda turned desperately to Dr. Aaron, tears streaking her face. “Dr. Aaron, please—there must be something you can do to fix her legs, right?” She clung to the sleeve of his white coat. “Ann is my only daughter. If you can fix her, money is no object. A hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, a million-ten million, we’ll pay whatever it takes p>
Ann was only twenty-three. Her whole life was ahead of her. She hadn’t even had a boyfriend yet, let alone thought about marriage.