Chapter 5 She Told the Child, "Daddy's Gone"

In the dead of night, the emergency room was a flurry of activity.

Jennifer was rushed into the trauma bay as a drenched Juniper was held back by a nurse, "Ma'am, you can't go any further!"

Juniper gazed desperately into the room, feeling utterly helpless. Her hands trembling, she clutched at the nurse's arm, pleading hoarsely, "Please, save my daughter, I'm begging you!"

Her voice was choked with tears.

"We're doing everything we can," the nurse consoled her, "Try to stay calm."

Juniper could only nod, her mind taut as a wire all the way to the hospital, and now that she had arrived, her energy had deserted her. She leaned against the wall and slowly slid down into a crouch.

Her legs felt like jelly.

The sense of impending loss she felt when Jennifer had collapsed on her shoulder, as if the entire world were crashing around her, plunged her into a boundless darkness.

She was shaking all over.

She had felt this way once before, six years ago, when Magnus had severed ties with her in prison.

Even breathing hurt.

In moments of profound sorrow, one's whole body can go numb; as she pressed a hand against the wall to stand, her legs seemed mired in a swamp, unable to lift her.

Then a strong hand steadied her arm. "Be careful."

Juniper looked up, eyes red, "William?"

It was William, the head of the respiratory department at the hospital. Three years ago, when Jennifer had a high fever, he was the one who took care of her.

Knowing Juniper was a single mother with the challenge of raising her child alone, William had always shown an extra measure of concern for the mother and daughter. Over time, they had become friends.

"I just saw Jennifer being wheeled in—what happened?"

"I got home and found Jennifer pale, struggling to breathe," Juniper recounted. "She said she felt awful..."

"Don't panic. It's probably just the old issue. I've told you before to bring Jennifer in to have the patent ductus arteriosus closure done as soon as possible. Why have you been putting it off?"

Jennifer had a congenital heart defect, specifically patent ductus arteriosus, which was simple to correct with a minor procedure, followed by some rest, allowing her to live like any other child.

It wasn't a serious condition, yet Juniper had delayed.

Juniper felt embarrassed, "I... I was scared."

She bowed her head, her fingers intertwined and white from the pressure.

Jennifer was her world, and when you make someone your everything, you dare not take risks. The fear of loss was too great. And yet, the cost of the necessary cardiac catheterization lingered unmet in her bank account. It was a matter that had been dragging on.

William gently patted her shoulder with reassurance, “It’s not a serious illness, don’t worry. Many kids have patent ductus arteriosus and live their whole lives without surgery. But since Jennifer is showing symptoms, you should get the operation done sooner rather than later.”

Juniper nodded vigorously, “Yes, I will make sure it happens this time.”

Half an hour later, Jennifer was wheeled out.

Juniper rushed up, “Doctor, how’s my daughter?”

“She’s fine, but she has a patent ductus arteriosus. Were you aware of this?”

“Yes, I knew.”

“Discuss it with your husband. You might want to consider catheterization for her. She’s stable now, so it’s not urgent, but the younger she is when she has the surgery, the better she'll recover.”

Mentioning her husband...

Juniper’s expression darkened, but she simply nodded, “Alright.”

Jennifer was then moved to a regular ward.

In the wee hours of the night, the child woke up.

“Mommy…”

Juniper asked tenderly, “Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? I'll go buy something.”

Resting on her pillow, Jennifer looked at Juniper and shook her head, “Mom, am I sick?”

“The doctor says you’ll be better soon. You wanted a break from school, right? I’ll talk to your teacher. Let’s stay at the hospital to rest and skip school for a few days, okay?”

“That’s fine. Mom, I didn’t get to ask you, why do I smell alcohol? Did you drink?”

Juniper, not wanting to worry her, stroked her head and said, “Mom had a little wine at a work dinner. It's nothing. Once you're better, we can go to KFC, how’s that? You’ve been craving fried chicken, haven’t you?”

Jennifer cracked a small smile, “And mashed potatoes too.”

Just then, a male voice chimed in, “Mashed potatoes coming right up!”

William entered with food in hand, “I brought some oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and all. You and Jennifer should eat.”

“Mr. Anderson.”

William patted Jennifer's head, “You need to rest up and get better, no making your mom worry.”

Jennifer nodded earnestly, “Okay!”

"Good girl, Jennifer," Juniper murmured, scooping up a spoonful of mashed potatoes to feed her daughter.

William glanced at the rash on the back of her hand. "You've got an allergy, huh? I picked up some antihistamine cream from the pharmacy just now. You should apply some later."

Juniper paused, slightly startled. "Thanks, I always seem to trouble you whenever we're at the hospital."

"It's no trouble at all. Raising Jennifer by yourself isn't easy, so if I can lend a hand, it's no big deal. Juniper, you don't have to shoulder everything alone, you know? If you need help, just shout. I'll do what I can."

Juniper knew William was kind-hearted, but she didn't want to take advantage of his compassion.

She also understood what he meant, but she couldn't reciprocate his kindness.

And there were things that William couldn't help her with.

She was already deep in the mire and couldn't drag William down with her, to struggle alongside her.

After William left, Jennifer, propped up in her hospital bed, blurted out something startling: "Mom, Mr. Anderson likes you."

Juniper offered a half-smile, her mood unchanged.

"Of course! Mom, do you still miss Dad like I do?"

Juniper's hand, poised to scoop more potatoes, froze in place.

Her eyelashes cast a slight shadow over her eyes, reflecting a hint of melancholy, "No, honey. Mom's favorite is Jennifer now. I don't think about anyone else."

Jennifer looked troubled. "Mom, it's been years since Dad left. You can't stay down forever!"

Juniper chuckled, "Where did you pick up that phrase?"

"From a TV show! Godmother said it right, you should date more handsome guys to be happy!"

Juniper playfully pinched her daughter's nose. "Aren't you worried I might find you a stepdad?"

But Jennifer's expression turned serious, and she furrowed her small brows. "Mom, what I want most is for you to be happy."

Juniper moved closer, embracing her child at the side of the bed. "Having you, Jennifer, is what makes me happy. Very happy."

Jennifer sighed wistfully. "If only Dad were still here..."

Jennifer had always believed that her father had passed away.

At three, Jennifer would tug on Juniper's skirt, inquiring about her father's whereabouts. With gentle words, Juniper told her that her dad was piloting spaceships among the stars. At five, she could no longer shield her from the truth, confessing gently that her father had passed away from an illness.

"Mom, was dad even more handsome than Mr. Anderson?"

After all, why else would her mother show such indifference to Mr. Anderson? He was such a good man.

Images of Magnus filled Juniper's mind, a man who, even standing amidst a crowd, seemed to shine with an irresistible allure.

In terms of looks, it was undeniable that Magnus was spectacular.

Back in her university days at Imperial Capital, there was a popular saying: Avoiding failure on an exam and dating Magnus were two of life's greatest blessings.

"Yes, honey, your dad was very handsome."

A sense of pride bubbled within Jennifer, and she silently vowed to find her mom a boyfriend as handsome as her dad!

After tucking Jennifer into bed, Juniper pulled up her bank account balance, calculating the meager funds she possessed.

She had earned thirty-five thousand dollars from Magnus that evening, and with only ten thousand in her account, the impending quarterly rent weighed heavily on her.

Jennifer's needed surgery was a steep hundred thousand dollars, leaving a daunting seventy thousand still to secure...

Juniper felt hopelessly stuck.

But she suddenly felt grateful for the chance Magnus had given her to earn that thirty-five thousand and even caught herself wishing for another opportunity to drink and earn money.

What were a few hives compared to securing the surgery? Right now, Jennifer was her world.