In a state between being awake and being sleepy, Raeleigh raised her hand and touched her head. "Santiago, what do you think you're doing?" "Umm, carrying you?" Santiago paused for a moment. It was too late for Raeleigh to react. He had already unbuckled her seatbelt and was carrying her. Raeleigh stared at Santiago for what seemed like an interminable stretch of time before reaching out and strangling him.
"Ouch! You-!"
Santiago quickly put Raeleigh on her feet and massaged his neck. Raeleigh regained her balance all while glaring at him. "I barely used any strength. You'd better think twice next time."
Raeleigh turned around and made her way into the hospital. Santiago frowned as he followed her. As soon he was within arm's length of her, he reached out, grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.
"Hey it hurts!"
After that, Santiago pushed Raeleigh away and strode inside. Raeleigh stood rooted to the spot, staring at him blankly as he walked.
However, after taking a few steps, Santiago
suddenly stopped and turned around to look at Raeleigh. "Hello? Do you want me to come over and carry you?"
Only then did Raeleigh start walking over to Santiago, who was waiting for her. Raeleigh stopped to examine his neck, which now had a bright red patch on it.
Raeleigh did not do it on purpose. She had always been smaller compared to other children her age since young; plus, she was an orphan. Her grandmother was poor and it took a lot of begging before the principal agreed to accept her. This is why she was always bullied in school.
At first, she did not know how to deal with it. Later, she found a hiding spot in school and hid there whenever she was bullied. When her grandmother realised that the young Raeleigh was a victim of bullying in school, she brought her home and told her that the next time she was picked on, she should grab the person by the neck to throttle them, and if it was a boy, she could kick him in the crotch.
Raeleigh had never kicked anyone in the crotch because at that time, she was old enough to know the potential injury it could cause.
Raeleigh's childhood memories were engraved in her mind. She would, like a knee-jerk reaction, employ these methods that her grandmother had taught her to subdue whoever who dared to a lay hand on her.
However, Raeleigh would usually try not to resort to these means unless she had to.
Santiago's actions had somehow hit a raw nerve in her. Raeleigh failed to control herself and before she knew it, her hands were around his neck.
However, Raeleigh did not expect that Santiago would react like this.
Raeleigh hurriedly chased after him and eventually found herself outside of Stuart's ward. At this time, Santiago had already taken a seat outside Stuart's ward, his eyes narrowed to a slit, ready to sleep.
Raeleigh briefly checked the time before setting off, in search of Xanthus. When she finally found him, she asked him whether he had lunch yet and he said no. So, Raeleigh went to the cafeteria to buy lunch for him and Santiago.
Once Santiago was done eating, he got up and made call. At three o'clock in the afternoon, a car pulled up outside the hospital. Stuart was wheeled into the car. By the time the car left, it was already six in the evening.
Raeleigh saw Stuart off at the airport. Just as Stuart was about to board the plane, he looked at Raeleigh and said, "I'll leave the task of watching over Mr. Santiago to you, Madam Raeleigh."
Stuart was sitting in a wheelchair and his face was ghostly pale from being cooped up in the hospital all these time. Raeleigh felt a pang in her chest when she saw Stuart's appearance.
She did not understand what love was, at least not right now.
However, Stuart was willing to risk his life for Santiago, whom he had spent most of his life with. Perhaps, this could be considered as a type of love.
"Stuart, I hope the next time I see you, you will be standing right in front of me."
Raeleigh bent down and hugged Stuart. "I wish you a speedy recovery. I'll be awaiting your return."
Stuart nodded. He seemed much calmer after experiencing such a horrific accident. He now took death very lightly.
Raeleigh looked around and said, "Jepherson might not make it. He's probably too busy with work."
"I know. I have to go now."
Stuart needed someone to help him with his wheelchair; after all, he had just been discharged from the hospital. There were two people following Stuart as well as a young girl, who looked like she was about seventeen years old.
Raeleigh wondered what a girl at her age could do.
Was Stuart in safe hands?
"Have a safe trip."
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