Two days later.
Ludwik stood by the hospital bed, holding Natalie’s hand.
With each passing day, Natalie was showing signs of recovery. Her gaze had cleared, and she could now recognize faces.
She could smile at Ludwik, blink, and even show displeasure through subtle gestures.
The doctor even remarked, “The lady is gaining some mobility in her limbs. She could, with effort, manage to walk a few steps now.”
Ludwik’s smile broadened, radiating warmth.
“Mom, did you hear that? You’ll be back on your feet in no time.”
Natalie responded with a smile and a playful wink.
“Can you try to speak?” Ludwik leaned closer, gently stroking her hair.
His gaze deepened as he held Natalie’s hand, attempting to delve into the past, “About that night three years ago, when Keegan and Whitney took you, can you tell me what happened?”
The unexpected question startled Natalie.
Her expression shifted to one of fear, and her frail hand trembled in Ludwik’s grip.
She began to squirm in bed, her hand reaching towards her left kidney area.
With a desperate look, she opened her mouth as if she had a world to tell but could only produce simple sounds like “ah” and “is.”
“Mr. Lippert, not now,” the doctor intervened, alarmed by the soaring vitals on the monitor. “Her emotional state can severely impact her recovery, and her vocal cords aren’t ready for speech yet.”
Ludwik, filled with concern, could only guess that the terror of that night three years ago was far from ordinary.
“What do you mean by ‘is’? Were you trying to say someone’s name?”
He reassured his mother, “Mom, don’t rush. If words fail you, rest now.”
Under his calming presence, Natalie slowly drifted back to a peaceful state.
She was fragile, barely keeping her eyes open. As Ludwik stepped out to speak with the doctor, she clung to his hand, a silent plea in her gesture.
“Do you want to see Danny?” Ludwik guessed.
Natalie shook her head slightly; she longed to see both her grandsons, signaling with her hands.
“Both? What do you mean by two?” Ludwik frowned, confused.
A sigh escaped him as a realization dawned, “You only have one grandson, Mom.”
Natalie froze. She remembered hearing two names, Danny and Sammy, in her semi-conscious state. She was sure she had two grandsons. Why didn't her son know?
“I’ll bring the little guy over,” Ludwik promised, misunderstanding her gesture.
Leaving the room, he arranged for the maid to bring Daniel to the hospital.
Turning his attention back to the medical discussion, Ludwik was briefed by the leading specialist from Harmonia Country’s Rehabilitation Center.
“Mr. Lippert, your mother managed to utter a few sounds today, but we must proceed with caution. She’s still in a precarious state, awaiting further tests and dealing with complications from her old ailments. Stability is our priority.”
Understanding the gravity of his mother’s condition, Ludwik was determined, “Use all available resources for her treatment…” His phone rang, cutting him short.
It was Felix, reminding him, “Mr. Lippert, it’s time for your flight to Riverlyn City. The contract meeting can’t proceed without you.”
-
Meanwhile, at TriMed Hospital, Elaine awaited Lyra’s return with crucial information.
“Lyra, we must act now. I’ve learned that Mr. Lippert had a specialist consult this morning and even brought up that night three years ago. Although his mother couldn’t speak, she managed to make some sounds…”
“Elaine, there’s no time to waste!” Delphine urged, a sinister plan forming.
Elaine’s face went pale, knowing it was time to move. She quizzed Lyra, “Did you get all the details?”
Lyra nodded, whispering, “She’s in a private room on the second floor of Skyfaith Hospital, guarded and secluded. Following your instructions, I bribed a maid with half a million. She disclosed the guards’ shift change…”
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