Chapter 41
Nora didn't say anything. She closed her eyes and pretended to pass out.
She was afraid of being seen through.
Michael's eyes were like a burning sun, as if they could see right through her, leaving her nowhere to hide.
David glanced at Samuel sitting in the passenger seat, quietly holding the seatbelt without making a sound, and couldn't help but comfort him. "Your mom is fine, nothing's going to happen to her."
Only then did Samuel gather the courage to turn around and look at Nora.
He wasn't timid, and he wasn't afraid of blood. He was afraid of losing Nora.
Michael frowned and instinctively took off his suit jacket to cover Nora, hiding the bloodstains on her body.
He was worried Samuel would be scared if he saw them.
Samuel stared intently at Nora, then looked at Michael. "Dad, you'll always protect me and Mom, right?"
Michael froze for a moment. He couldn't promise Samuel that, because he knew he couldn't do it.
He couldn't keep looking after Nora forever.
If Nora didn't learn to be tough, their lives—mother and son—definitely wouldn't get any better.
"I'm sorry." Michael didn't lie. He felt bad about it.
Samuel's eyes reddened with disappointment, and he turned back around in his seat.
The whole way, Samuel stayed quiet and sad.
He was so small, only five years old, with slightly chubby cheeks, big eyes, and long lashes that trembled with tears still hanging on them.
Michael felt strangely irritated, not understanding why he cared so much about Samuel.
He tugged at his tie, and finally couldn't hold back. He grabbed a pen, took Samuel's hand, and wrote his private number on the boy's palm. "Can you remember my phone number?"
This number was Michael's personal line. Besides David, no one at the company knew it.
Michael only used this phone to contact people he cared about.
David looked at Michael in shock, realizing he actually liked Samuel.
But honestly, David himself felt bad for the kid too. Samuel was just too heartbreaking.
At five years old, Samuel had been through too much.
Samuel's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "I've already memorized it."
Michael raised an eyebrow. "Say it back to me."
Samuel recited his phone number without missing a single digit.
"This kid has a photographic memory," David said with a laugh.
Michael looked at Samuel. "From now on, if you're in danger, you can call me."
"Are you really a superhero, Dad? If I call you, will you come save me?" Samuel looked at Michael nervously. He was too sensitive.
Michael frowned and didn't answer.
He couldn't guarantee it.
David parked the car and found himself unable to bear seeing Samuel disappointed. "Here, remember my number. I'll only say it once. If something happens, call me. I can come save you too."
David got out and opened the car door for Samuel.
Samuel quietly memorized David's number.
Michael got out of the car, wanting to carry Nora.
Nora had already woken up. She instinctively moved away from Michael, flinching in fear.
Michael stood outside the car door, signaling for her to get out herself.
Nora got out of the car. Her vision went dark, and she still ended up falling into Michael's arms.
She backed away in panic, then walked toward the hospital with her head down.
"Mom." Samuel ran over and took Nora's hand.
Nora hunched her body. Afraid of scaring Samuel, she put on Michael's jacket.
The jacket was stained with her blood. It probably couldn't be washed clean.
Michael's clothes were so expensive. She really couldn't afford to pay him back.
Her eyes reddened as Nora tightened her grip on Samuel's hand.
"The investigation report says Nora suffered a lot in prison. Later, she showed suicidal tendencies, so the guards applied for psychological treatment. They said she has severe depression with speech problems, which means unless she wants to talk herself..."
David sighed.
Samuel was truly pitiful. After all, he was just a child.
But Nora—pitiful people often bring it on themselves.
She made her own mess and dragged her child into it.
"Why is she so afraid of men getting close?" Michael asked.
If she hadn't been traumatized, she wouldn't be like this.
"I heard she was raped. At first, she kept explaining to everyone, saying she didn't mean to betray Mr. James Smith, that it wasn't voluntary, that someone hurt her. But no one believed her. Gradually she stopped talking about it. Later, when Mr. James Smith questioned her, she just admitted to it."
Michael frowned. What a troublesome woman.
In the treatment room.
The doctor gave Nora anesthesia and stitched her up.
Nora sat quietly the whole time, her eyes empty, like a soulless doll.
"Tell me if it hurts," the doctor said softly.
Nora never moved or made a sound.
"Perforated eardrum, still bleeding in the ear canal. After the anti-inflammatory shot, take good care of it. Don't get water in your ear for a while."
Nora's left ear couldn't hear anything. After treating the wound, the doctor bandaged her ear as well.
Now she couldn't hear at all.
"Can you hear clearly with your right ear?" the doctor asked from Nora's right side.
Nora nodded.
The doctor glanced at Michael. "She can be discharged after the IV is done."
"Thank you." Michael said thanks and walked in front of Nora. "I had David take the kid out."
He was afraid Samuel would be scared seeing Nora get stitches.
"Thank you," Nora said quietly.
"The police will come by in a bit. This time the evidence is solid, and the nanny doesn't dare cover for Evelyn. If you have something to say, tell the police." Michael reminded Nora not to be foolish or cowardly again this time.
This was the chance he was giving Nora.
If Nora still didn't know how to value it, he would never get involved again.