Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world-Chapter 236: A small glimpse into the past [2]
The doctor, a middle-aged woman in a crisp white coat, stepped out of the emergency room.
She took off her gloves and looked at Elize, who was waiting outside.
"For now," the doctor began softly, "there are no major complications. The wounds have been cleaned and stitched."
"We’ve administered antibiotics and pain relief. He lost a fair amount of blood, but it wasn’t life-threatening. He’s stable and resting."
Elize finally let out a small breath of relief, "So... he will recover soon?"
The doctor gave a reassuring nod "Yes. He’s young, and his body will heal quickly. In a few days, he should be able to walk again, but keep him from straining himself. And please... try to keep him calm. Traumas like this can leave a mental scar."
Elize nodded slowly, her lips pressing into a faint line "I understand. Thank you, doctor."
The doctor gave a small smile before excusing herself, leaving the two women in the dimly lit corridor.
For a moment, there was silence.
Elize closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
’I will heal him completely later,’ she thought to herself.
When she finally opened her eyes, her gaze shifted toward the figure sitting quietly on the bench outside the emergency room.
Charlotte sat there, hunched slightly forward, and her hands were trembling as they rested limply on her lap.
Her green eyes were red and swollen from crying, tears streaking her pale cheeks.
Strands of her hair clung to her damp face, and she sniffled quietly, trying and failing to keep herself composed.
Elize walked over slowly and stopped in front of her younger sister for a moment.
Then, without a word, she lowered herself onto the bench beside her, sitting close enough that their shoulders almost brushed.
"Charlotte..."
Charlotte blinked, slowly raising her tearful gaze and her lips quivered as she whispered in a choked voice, "B-Big Sister..."
"I... I was so scared... and he... he... he protected me..."
Her voice broke entirely, and she lowered her face, ashamed "I’m useless... I’m so useless... Big Sister, I just watched... I just watched as he got hurt in my place..."
Elize stayed silent for a moment and gently brushed her little sister’s hair away from her tear-stained face.
"You were scared. That’s natural. You’ve always feared dogs since you were little."
Charlotte shook her head violently, clutching her skirt tightly in her fists "But it doesn’t matter! I should have done something! Anything! He... he’s just a little boy... and he... he took the bite for me..."
Her voice cracked again, and she bit her lip hard to keep from sobbing aloud.
Elize’s eyes softened and she shifted closer to place a comforting hand on Charlotte’s trembling shoulder.
"Charlotte... listen to me. He’s alive. He’s going to recover. You didn’t lose him."
Charlotte’s breath hitched as she turned her tearful eyes toward Elize.
Elize continued "What matters now is what you do after this. You can’t change what happened... but you can choose to become stronger. Strong enough to never feel this helpless again and strong enough to protect him."
Charlotte stared at her sister for a long moment.
The emergency room door opened with a soft click, and a nurse stepped out "You can go in and see him now."
Elize gently patted Charlotte’s shoulder one last time and stood up first "Come..."
Charlotte wiped her tears again, took a shaky breath, and slowly stood.
Together, the two sisters stepped toward the room where Brandon was resting.
---
Brandon lay there and his small body was wrapped in clean white bandages.
His shirtless back showed traces of stitched wounds across his back and shoulder.
An IV line was attached to his arm, dripping slowly.
Charlotte froze at the threshold, the moment she saw him "Brandon..."
Elize’s gaze quivered to see Brandon in such a state and lowered her head.
Charlotte swallowed the lump in her throat and forced her legs to move.
When she finally reached the bedside, she lowered herself carefully onto the small chair beside it.
Up close, she could see every detail. His lashes, slightly damp from the tears he had shed earlier.
The small cuts and bruises on his arms. The faint rise and fall of his chest with each shallow breath.
Her fingers trembled as she hesitated, then gently brushed back the strands of hair falling over his forehead.
"...Why? Why did you protect me?"
A fresh wave of guilt surged through her chest.
"I should have been the one..." she muttered, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I should have protected you... not the other way around..."
Her fingers lightly grazed his bandaged shoulder, so careful not to hurt him.
Elize stood a few feet away and a soft sigh escaped her lips ’I hope... she stops hating him now.’
Charlotte leaned closer, her lips barely inches from Brandon’s ear "I’m sorry... I’m so sorry, Kael... I was useless... but I promise, I won’t be anymore."
Her green eyes flickered faintly and a hint of yellow shimmered for a brief second before fading again.
She clenched her fists tightly in her lap, holding back her sobs.
"I’ll get stronger. I swear," she whispered shakily. "Next time... I’ll protect you."
As if sensing her voice, Brandon shifted faintly in his sleep.
His lips moved, mumbling something inaudible and Charlotte leaned in closer, desperate to hear.
"...Sister..." he murmured weakly in his sleep.
The single word pierced her heart and she bit her lip hard as tears streamed down once again.
"Yes... it’s me," she whispered, gently holding his small hand in hers. "I’m here. Big Sister’s here..."
She stayed like that, holding his hand, staring at his sleeping face.
Finally, Elize stepped closer, "He’ll wake up soon. You should rest a little too, Charlotte."
Charlotte wiped her face with her sleeve and nodded faintly, though her eyes never left Brandon "I’m not leaving him. Not until he wakes up."
Hearing this, Elize stayed silent.
And so, Charlotte stayed by his side, quietly watching over him as he slept, holding his hand gently... already promising herself that she would never again be too weak to protect him.
