Chapter 3
Martin instinctively wanted to chase after her for a glimpse. But after some thought, he stopped, snorting in his heart, 'Five years ago, Randy was so ill, but Patricia still left him and disappeared. How can she be back now?'
Meanwhile, Patricia searched around and finally found her bestie, Daisy Williams, in the parking lot. Daisy, overjoyed, hugged Patricia and jumped up and down. "Patricia, you're finally back! Oh, I've been waiting for you for a whole year. Missed you so much."
Seeing Daisy, Patricia couldn't help tearing up. "I missed you, too." Without Daisy, she wouldn't have survived until today.
Five years ago, Martin had forcibly taken her bone marrow despite her being pregnant. She had thought the babies wouldn't survive. But miraculously, they had a strong will to live and pulled through.
Later, she had a difficult and premature birth, delivering triplets.
Charles and Randy were boys, and Fannie was a girl. Randy, born with severe congenital heart disease, required a substantial amount of medical expenses. At that time, Patricia had no money, so she had no choice but to send Randy to Martin, hoping he would save Randy's life.
Meanwhile, to avoid Martin, she took Charles and Fannie abroad.
If it hadn't been for Daisy's constant companionship and support through the toughest first three years abroad, Patricia wouldn't have made it.
Daisy released Patricia and asked expectantly, "This time, you won't leave, right?"
Patricia hesitated, "Not sure. I came back to treat Randy's heart disease. Everything depends on his recovery."
Daisy curiously inquired, "Does Martin know that the heart specialist he hired at great expense is you?"
Patricia's face grew cold when she thought of the past. Imagining Martin's possible reaction upon discovering the truth, she felt a twinge of anticipation. Then, she replied with a smile, "No! But he will soon."
Daisy didn't ask further. She crouched down, cupped Charles' and Fannie's little faces, and kissed them. "Oh, my darlings, I finally get to see you! Come on, let's go and have something delicious."
With that, she put their luggage in the trunk and drove away.
After lunch, Daisy took Patricia, Charles, and Fannie to Harbor View Apartments.
Seeing the familiar house, the only relic left to her by her mom, Patricia couldn't help tearing up again. At the same time, her hatred for Martin also deepened.
Patricia quickly composed herself, crouched down, and patted Charles' and Fannie's little heads, giving them a worried reminder. "Charles, Fannie, I need to go to the hospital for work. You two stay at home, okay? Daisy will stay with you."
"All right, all right. Got it! You go now! Don't be late on your first day or leave any bad impression on your boss," Charles said, waving his hand like a little gentleman.
Patricia dotingly tapped Charles' nose.
Then, she said to Daisy, "Daisy, help me look after them. I'll be back soon."
Daisy patted her chest in assurance. "Just leave them to me."
Then, Patricia left as Daisy's promise set her mind at rest.
As soon as she left, Charles slyly rolled his eyes and gave Fannie a look.
Fannie got the hint and returned a wink.
After silently communicating and confirming their plan, Charles deliberately yawned. "Daisy, I'm so sleepy. Gotta have some sleep now. You play with Fannie."
Daisy, suspecting nothing, took Charles to the bedroom. After making sure he was in bed, she quietly left and closed the door.
Outside the room, Fannie grabbed Daisy's hand and pleaded, "Daisy, can we go to the supermarket? I wanna buy something now!"
"Supermarket? Now? What about Charles?" Daisy instinctively glanced at the bedroom, a bit worried.
Seeing her concern, Fannie mischievously said, "He's a sleepy head. By the time he wakes up, we'll be back already! Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Then, afraid that Daisy wouldn't agree, she started to act cute. "Daisy, you just said you'd buy me some candy."
Unable to resist her cuteness, Daisy nodded in agreement.
Shortly after they left, the bedroom door opened.
Charles peeked out. After confirming they were gone, he carefully stepped out, slung his backpack over his shoulder, put on a baseball cap and mask, and hailed a taxi at the community gate, heading to Sunset Bay Hospital.
Patricia let them stay home, but Charles had his own plan...
He had heard that his brother, Randy, was at Sunset Bay Hospital. He had to see Randy!