Grace Winslow had been at the hospital for a full day, and she hadn’t rested well all night. The next day, with dark circles under her eyes, she went to the cafeteria to get food. It was only then that she remembered she had a boyfriend who was also injured and hospitalized, so she grabbed an extra meal.

She went to deliver Archer Rhys’s meal first, only to discover there was someone else in his room.

Feeling it would be awkward to walk right in, she decided to wait at the door. That was when she heard an old, raspy voice from inside. "You almost got yourself killed for her, came back covered in injuries, and even left the service. Do you really think any of that was worth it?"

"She’s been married before, she’s not some innocent young maiden. If you’re going to find a partner, why can’t you find someone with a clean, unblemished background? Must you choose someone like her? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Your grandfather and I will never approve. If you two just got together, you should break up now before your feelings get any deeper."

"Your second grandaunt has introduced you to someone. Her family is of equal standing to ours—a perfect match. You’d be much better off with her than with that... Grace Winslow."

"You’re truly unfilial, making your grandfather worry himself sick over you at home."

Other than the conversation, the hospital room was silent.

Archer Rhys seemed to be quiet for a few seconds before his deep voice finally emerged. "I’ll make my own decisions about my marriage. Second Granduncle, times have changed. Besides, what makes you think you have any say in my life?"

"Don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming. You won’t touch a single thing my parents or my grandfather left for me, so don’t even think about trying to get a piece of it."

"Grace is wonderful. She’s better than anyone you could ever introduce me to. Anything I do for her is worth it."

"Second Granduncle, you should stay away from me from now on, unless you’re looking for trouble. You know better than anyone that Grandfather is sentimental. He still has some affection for you, so he can’t bring himself to be harsh or take action. I, on the other hand, have no such reservations."

"Don’t you have any clue what our relationship really is?"

"Who the hell gave you the nerve to come here, badmouth my girlfriend, and try to force me to break up with her for some so-called ’well-matched’ woman you’ve arranged?"

"What’s the story? This ’well-matched’ woman... she wouldn’t happen to be a niece from that woman you remarried, would she? Or maybe she’s the daughter she brought along with her?"

"Your intentions couldn’t be more obvious. Now, get out."

"You... you are utterly insolent! Is that any way to speak to an elder? You... you are a disobedient, unfilial disgrace!" The old man was panting heavily, as if he were about to be angered to death by Archer Rhys on the spot.

Grace feared a fight might break out. She wasn’t worried about whether the old man lived or died, but she was afraid Archer wouldn’t know his own strength and would tear his wounds open again. She quickly pushed the door open and went in.

As soon as she entered, the atmosphere in the room grew tense.

Grace then noticed that besides the old man, there was a richly dressed woman who looked to be in her fifties. This must be the "second grandaunt" Archer had mentioned—the one his granduncle had remarried.

She ignored the two of them and walked straight to Archer. "Why are you up? Lie back down. The doctor said you can’t move around with your injuries. Were you about to get physical just now?"

Archer looked guilty and rubbed his nose.

Grace shot him a glare. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"

"I’m going to check your wound to see if it reopened."

As she spoke, Grace put down the things in her hands and reached out to unbutton his shirt and check the wound.

"Absolutely shameless! Shameless! You... you two have no decency!" The Rhys family’s second granduncle, furious, banged his cane on the floor.

Grace glanced back at him. "You’re Archer’s second granduncle, right? I’m checking his wound. How does that become ’shameless’ in your mind?"

"Dirty minds think dirty thoughts."

After that jab, she had already unbuttoned Archer’s shirt and inspected the wound.

Thankfully, the wound hadn’t split open. She let out a sigh of relief but still shot Archer a fierce glare. "If you dare move around and tear this open, I’m done with you."

"I brought you breakfast. Eat it yourself. I have to go, I have something else to take care of."

Archer noticed she had bought three meals and grew worried. "What’s wrong? Is someone from your family in the hospital?"

"No, it’s hard to explain right now. Just eat. I have to get back; someone over there needs me. My mom should be here in a bit. Once she arrives, I’ll come see you when I have time and tell you what happened."

"And don’t get physical! I know they’re asking for it, but you’re not allowed to." Grace shook her head, too rushed to explain. She was worried the little one would wake up crying and mess with the IV in his hand, which would be a real problem.

She said this to Archer in a hurry, not bothering to lower her voice. The two people standing nearby heard her, and their faces instantly darkened.

The old man looked like he was about to come over and strike Grace, but she gave him a sharp look that made him take a step back in fear. He was intimidated.

As for the woman beside him, she didn’t dare make a move.

After all, she was still dependent on Archer. If she truly angered him, her future would not be pleasant.

"Second Granduncle, if you continue to cause a scene here, don’t blame me for cutting off your pension. And don’t you forget, the house you’re living in is still under my name." Archer stared coldly at the two of them. "Get out before I get angry. Don’t ever come back, and you are forbidden from harassing her. Otherwise, you know the consequences."

The Rhys family’s second granduncle wanted to say more, but the woman beside him tugged on his arm. He swallowed the retort on the tip of his tongue and left in a huff.

Grace returned to the other hospital room. The little one hadn’t woken up yet, but he was showing signs of stirring.

She breathed a sigh of relief, sat down to eat her own breakfast, and watched over him for a while.

At nine o’clock, the little boy, who had been unconscious for a day and a night, finally woke up. He was still very weak and coughed for a bit, his lips severely chapped.

Grace carefully gave him some water, then fed him a little bit of plain congee. After regaining some strength, the little boy looked up at Grace.

He was only two years old, but you could tell he was well cared for at home. He had fair, tender skin and a pair of big, dark eyes like black grapes that darted around, making him look very handsome.

He didn’t speak, just stared quietly at Grace.

Grace reached out and felt his forehead. "Good, your fever is finally gone. Little one, do you know where your home is? Do you know your name, or your mommy and daddy’s names?"

The little boy stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head.

Although Grace had expected this answer, she still felt a twinge of disappointment.

’It’s going to be hard to find his parents if we don’t even know his name.’

Many children who got lost in this era only found their families twenty or thirty years later through televised reunion programs. She knew how many families were torn apart by such tragedies, and she felt helpless in the face of it all.