Chapter 91: The Safe
"But I already paid the deposit..." Fiona's expression showed signs of breaking down.
She was just an ordinary doctor, and her husband's salary wasn't particularly high either, so the two of them had been saving for so long to prepare for the wedding.
Joanna understood her difficulty and smiled, "It's okay, you can reschedule with the shop for another time. It's just that I won't be able to come with you. I... don't want to run into them again."
She couldn't bear to watch Chris dote on Cynthia, accompanying Cynthia to do all the things they had never done together before.
If she had to witness all of this with her own eyes, even though she had long let go of that relationship, she would still have an emotional breakdown.
"I understand, it's fine. Thank you for coming with me today anyway. When I get married later, I'll invite you to the wedding! Joanna, don't be sad, you'll meet a better man too." Fiona comforted her.
Joanna nodded with a smile, "Okay, I know."
After changing back into their regular clothes and leaving, Cynthia and Chris had already gone.
Since everyone at the bridal shop would now be serving Fiona, and those two had left, Joanna wasn't in a hurry to leave anymore.
She stayed with Fiona as she tried on several wedding dresses and gave her opinions.
The two of them stayed for quite a while before leaving the bridal shop.
What Joanna didn't know was that while she was helping Fiona choose wedding dresses, at the nursing home, Sandra went to see Dr. Bruce.
"Discharge?" Dr. Bruce was shocked. "Mrs. Jones, I think you should be clear that the most serious issue with your body isn't the decline in physical function. Your current awakening doesn't mean your illness is cured. You need cancer treatment. Joanna already mentioned some time ago that once Mr. Shen brings in the new medication, she's willing to let you be among the first batch of patients to receive treatment."
Sandra didn't know about the new medication, but she didn't blame Joanna for making her a test subject either.
She shook her head, "I just don't want to keep lying in the hospital. All these years, all I've smelled is disinfectant. I want... to go outside and see the world."
Dr. Bruce looked troubled. "How about I give Miss Jones a call to let her know?"
Sandra panicked, "Then... then forget it. But can I go home for a bit to get some winter clothes?"
In the hospital, with constant temperature control and hospital gowns, there really was no need to get her own clothes.
Dr. Bruce knew this was just an excuse Sandra had come up with.
He thought about it - Sandra would have Joanna taking care of her at home, so there shouldn't be any problem.
After a brief hesitation, Dr. Bruce agreed, though he had a condition: "Then I'll arrange a car to take you home."
Sandra nodded in agreement.
Soon, a car from the nursing home went to the Jones Villa. The medical staff were a bit puzzled not to see Joanna.
Sandra smiled and said, "Joanna's at work, but her dad is home."
The nurse, after all, wasn't familiar with the Jones family situation, so hearing this put her mind at ease, and she drove back.
Sandra brushed the stray hair by her ear and was about to use her key to open the door when she suddenly remembered that after being hospitalized for so long, she had no idea where her things were.
She had to take out her phone and call Chad, "Chad, are you home? Can you open the door for me?"
As it happened, Chad really was there.
Seeing Sandra come back, he was a bit surprised, "Mom? You're better?"
Sandra nodded, "Why are you here alone? Where's your dad?"
"He went traveling, heard he joined some overseas tour group, won't be back for several days." Chad complained. "Oh right, since you're back, I'm hungry. Hurry up and make me something to eat."
"Okay, you go back to your room and do your thing, I'll make you something."
Sandra was really lenient with her children and didn't think there was anything wrong with taking care of Chad.
After Chad left, she pretended to look for ingredients while going to Henry's room for a look around.
Based on her twenty-plus years of understanding Henry, she quickly discovered the safe under the bed.
Sandra's fingers paused for a long time before trying Chad's birthday.
The safe opened as expected. She looked at what was inside, and her expression instantly turned very ugly.
With trembling hands, she took out her phone and snapped a few photos, then put everything back.
After doing all this, Sandra's head felt a bit swollen, so she just sat in the room in a daze until Chad got too hungry and came out looking for her.
"Mom! Where's my food? Are you going to cook or not? If not, just say so earlier, I would've ordered takeout."
Chad's tone was full of complaints. Sandra slowly looked up, her eyes red, "I'm a patient. Making a patient cook for you - don't you feel guilty?"
Chad was startled by her, "Weren't you the one who agreed? If you're not cooking, then don't. Why are you crying!"
He complained while taking out his phone to order takeout, only ordering for himself without even asking if Sandra wanted anything. After placing the order, he left.
Sandra felt a moment of sadness.
The contrast between Joanna's thoughtfulness and Chad's coldness made her increasingly realize that her past tolerance had just been a mistake.
Chad had already been corrupted by Henry, and she was a failed mother too.
No wonder the Coopers looked down on Joanna - turns out the whole family was just a burden to Joanna...
Realizing this, Sandra cried in the room for a while until Joanna called, "Mom, I have plans with a friend today, so I can't bring you dinner. Remember to have the nurse help you with it, rest early, and take care of yourself."
Sandra choked up, "Joanna, I was wrong."
After just one sentence, she started crying uncontrollably.
Joanna sensed something was wrong and quickly asked, "What happened? You're not at the hospital? If you're not feeling well, call the doctor. Mom, don't cry, I'm coming over right now!"
Hearing that Joanna was coming to the nursing home, Sandra panicked immediately. She quickly wiped away her tears, "I'm fine, really fine. I just thought about Chad and got a bit worried. You have a good time with your friend, you don't need to come see me after work these next few days."
With that, she hung up and quickly went out to catch a cab back to the nursing home.
Joanna was worried, so she called Dr. Bruce, "My mom seems a bit off today. Dr. Bruce, could you please look after her a bit more? Angelo's new medication distribution channels are almost set up, the first batch should arrive next month. If you need any help then, you can reach out to me."
Dr. Bruce nodded. He thought Joanna knew about Sandra's situation, so he didn't say much more.
When Sandra came back to the hospital on her own, he made a point of arranging an extra checkup when he saw her.
Apart from emotional fluctuations, there were no physical problems.
Dr. Bruce felt relieved, "Sandra, in the future, if Joanna is with you, you can also go outside for walks, stroll in the park - just keep a good mood."
Sandra nodded nervously.
Through this clever misunderstanding, Joanna never knew that Sandra had left the hospital on her own.