Several nurses, including the head nurse, along with security guards, lined up nervously awaiting Dr. Johnson’s reprimand.
He scolded them harshly:
“How could you let this happen? The hospital’s security is in your hands, and yet you didn’t even notice when someone slipped knockout drugs into your drinks? Do you just drink anything strangers give you? Do you have any sense of professionalism? If you don’t want this job, there are plenty of others who do!”
A police officer came over and patted his shoulder.
“Calm down, Dr. Johnson. It was a surprise attack. The fact that your staff weren’t harmed further is already fortunate. No one would have expected such a group. Their sole target was Mrs. Carter—it looks like a vendetta. No one else was hurt.”
After giving my statement, I described the attackers in detail, especially the leader of the vagrants.
Daniel put on a show of outrage.
“Officer, my wife has already suffered greatly. How can she be made to endure such attacks again? Is the public safety in New York City this poor?”
“Yes, officer,” Emma cried, “my mommy is so pitiful. Please, catch those criminals soon! They must be the same ones who kidnapped me! Please, make sure my mommy gets justice!”
The officer reassured her again:
“Don’t worry. We already have leads. Justice will be served.”
As they left, I noticed sweat beading on Daniel’s forehead. Clearly, he had already given those men the money to flee. If they were caught, he would be implicated. What a performance he put on.
Daniel then turned to the hospital staff and declared,
“You must cure my wife, no matter the cost! Spare no expense! If you succeed, I won’t pursue this matter further. Otherwise, I’ll have her transferred and file a complaint with the health board for your negligence!”
The medical staff looked at me with envy.
“What a loving couple.”
“I wish I had such a devoted husband.”
“Not everyone gets such fortune.”
“That’s right.”
Emma chimed in with tears streaming down her cheeks:
“Please, doctors, save my mommy. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have had the accident, she wouldn’t have broken her legs, and she wouldn’t have been attacked again! It’s all my fault. If I could, I’d give her my legs. I really would. It’s all because of me.”
A doctor patted her head gently.
“You’re such a thoughtful child. But your legs are too small. Even if we could transplant them, they wouldn’t fit your mother. The best you can do is take good care of her.”
I blinked and motioned Emma to come closer.
“Emma, would you really do anything to help me recover my legs?”
She didn’t understand but nodded earnestly. “Of course, Mommy. I’d do anything.”
I pointed to the window.
“Then jump from there. Break your legs. That way you can give them back to me. Go on.”
Everyone froze in shock.
Even the doctors and nurses stared at me wide-eyed.
“This woman is insane. Her legs are ruined, so she takes it out on the child?”
“Even if the girl was kidnapped before, that was the criminals’ fault, not hers.”
“Even if the child broke her legs too, that wouldn’t restore her mother’s. Only treatment and recovery can help. Blaming the child is absurd.”
