Chapter 5: More Problems to Come

Amy was about to go to Jillian’s room, but then she heard her cell phone ringing. It was Sunday morning, and it was rare for her friends to call so early. Usually if they wanted to invite Amy to hangout, they would call in the afternoon or evening or just leave a message. They knew Amy would reply to the messages immediately. 

Looking at the phone screen, it was from an unknown phone number. So, Amy ignored the call and rushed to Jillian’s care unit. However, soon there was another calling. It was from the same number. Amy sighed because it was annoying. As the daughter of a billionaire family, her phone number was linked to the bank account and credit card. Thus, many telemarketers often called her to offer many things: to apply for other credit cards and insurances.

Thinking the phone call was from a telemarketer, Amy finally snapped. She turned off her phone and let out a heavy sigh. Her temple throbbed right away because of her lack of sleeping.

She rushed to room 305. Opening the door slowly, she looked around. The room was quite spacious since there were table, couch, and some chairs inside. It was also bright  since the curtain was opened, allowing the morning sunshine to light the room. Amy smiled, as the warmth of the sun lightened her damp mood. As a VIP care unit, Jillian’s room was also equipped with a TV, an adequate bathroom, and wash table. The room temperature remained cool since the air conditioning was turned on.

However, Amy’s smile didn’t last longer. She immediately shed tears when she saw her sister lying on the bed. Jillian’s head, hands, and feet were bandaged. Even after Amy entered the room, Jillian still didn’t open her eyes. So, Amy could only stare at her sister and wipe her eyes because her tears kept falling.

For an hour, Amy just sat on the couch, waiting for her sister to wake up. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and she rushed to open it. Amy assumed it must be Jacob, but she was wrong. A stranger was standing there.

“Excuse me, Ms. Amy Brooke?” the stranger asked.

Amy frowned, as she didn’t know the man. “Yes, I’m Amy Brooke. What can I do for you?” 

“I’m from Bank X. Is it true that you just paid ten million for the hospital bills this morning?”

Amy nodded. “Yes, that’s true, sir. Why did you ask?” 

The person nodded. It was clear the man was relieved to know his task was done. “This morning we called you so many times, but you didn’t pick up. Given the very large number on your credit card, we want to confirm in advance to ensure that the transaction was indeed carried out by you. It’s a regular procedure for your safety, miss.”

Jillian sighed and smiled shyly. “I see. Yes, that’s the transaction I did, sir. My sister needed surgery last night, and later, she also must have the recovery stages.”

“Very well then, miss. Hopefully, your sister will recover soon.” The bank staff nodded and smiled. “Thank you for your confirmation, and have a nice day.”

“Thank you. Same to you.”

Then Amy sat back on the couch. Suddenly, she heard Jillian’s groan. “Jillian?” Amy grabbed her sister’s hand and stroked it gently. “I’m here, sweetie.” Her tears poured again.

“Amy … Mommy… Daddy… accident.” Then Jillian exhaled and squeezed Amy’s hand. After a while, she could share what happened. “We had a car accident. It tumbled over because of the consecutive bumping. How are Mommy and Daddy?” Jillian’s voice was hoarse.

Amy let out a heavy sigh. “Jillian, the important thing is you’re okay. I’m so relieved….” Tears continued to flow down her cheeks.

“Where are Daddy and Mommy?” How are they?“

Amy bit her lower lip. It was impossible for her to tell the truth. Jillian’s condition was still weak after the surgery and desperately needed to recover from the injuries. How could Amy tell her sister that their parents were dead in the car accident?

Squeezing her sister’s hand tenderly, Amy finally said, “Daddy … Mommy … they … are fine. They are still being treated by doctors, sweetie.” After that, she hastily changed the conversation. “You want to drink? I’ll take it for you, okay?”

Jillian nodded. “Yes, Sis.”

Amy immediately took a glass on the table next to the bed. There was a pitcher of water next to the glass. She poured the water into a glass and gave it to Jillian. “Sip it. No need to rush.”

Holding the glass, Jillian took several sips of the water. Afterward, she shook her head. “I’m done. When can I meet Daddy and Mommy? I want to hear their voices.”

Amy took the glass back and put it on the table. She was confused, as she didn’t know what to say to Jillian. Finally, she pretended to say cheerfully. “You should recover soon. Later you can meet Daddy and Mommy.” Then, she suddenly remembered last night’s event. “Oh, yes, there is good news I want to tell you!”

“What’s it?”

“Last night, I went to dinner with Jacob. He proposed to me!” This time, Amy’s voice was genuinely cheerful.

“Wow! Did you accept him?” Jillian asked. Her lips curved, showing she was excited to hear about it.

“Yes, I did.” Then Amy took Jillian’s hand and let her sister touch her engagement ring.

“Wow, congratulations, Amy! When will you marry Jacob?” Jillian asked again.

Amy smiled, but then she shook her head. “It’s still a long time. I haven’t even graduated from college yet.”

“That means we’re just waiting for you to graduate from college, huh? I’m so happy!” Jillian blurted it out. 

Amy smiled a little to hear what Jillian said. It lightened her mood to see her sister was cheerful like that. Changing the conversation to a better thing turned out better than letting Jillian think of their parents. “Maybe Jacob will come to see you later. Now, what do you want to have for breakfast? I will ask the doctor if you can eat the regular food.”

“Yes, Amy. I want to eat fried chicken or hotdog. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten both. Mommy will be upset if I eat fast food.”

Amy giggled to hear Jillian’s chatter. Since her sister was still fifteen years old, their mother often forbade Jillian not to order fast food. However, as a normal teenager, Jillian would find a way to get the fast food she loved. Despite her blindness, Jillian was a resourceful girl.

Amy caressed her sister’s head. “Because we are in the hospital, the doctor may not give you permission to eat fast food. But I will sneak them when I can.”

“You are the best, Amy! You know exactly what I want.” However, suddenly Jillian screamed.

Amy’s heart was beating fast. “What’s wrong? Do you feel pain somewhere in your body?”

“My legs … I can’t move them! Amy … I’m scared! What should I do?” 

Amy gulped. She didn’t know what to say to comfort her sister. Finally, Amy pressed the bell in the room. “Please wait. We’ll ask Doctor Benjamin about it. Maybe this is just a temporary effect after surgery.”

After a while, Doctor Benjamin came to Jillian’s care unit. “Good morning, Ms. Brooke and Ms. Jillian. It’s good to see you awake, Ms. Jillian.”

“Yes, Doctor, but why can’t my sister feel her legs?” Amy asked. She bit her lower lip and clenched her hands together to wait for the doctor’s answer.

“It could be a side effect of anesthesia, but maybe this is a trauma factor because of the car collision. I will continue to monitor Jillian’s progress. So, don’t worry.” Doctor Benjamin then approached Jillian and checked her feet. He pressed her feet a little. “Do you feel anything?”

Jillian shook her head. “No, Doctor.”

The doctor patted and pinched Jillian’s. However, Jillian didn’t react at all. “Can you feel I pat and pinch your feet?”

Jillian shook her head again. Her tears started flowing down her cheeks. “Am I going to be paralyzed forever, Doctor? I’m blind, and now I am paralyzed too ….”

“It is still too early to give the examination results. It’s better for you to have a rest and wait for a couple days. Let’s hope for better progress in a few days.”

Amy nodded even though she wanted to cry too. “All right, Doctor. Thanks for the explanation.”