Chapter 173
No matter how much prejudice and disgust I had toward her, she really did save Aura at that critical moment, and for that alone, I had to thank her.
James's expression was also extremely complicated. He was silent for a few seconds, then said to a nearby servant, "Help Ms. Thorne up, and contact the family doctor right away to check on her."
He then looked at Aura in my arms: "Have the doctor examine Aura too, see if she's injured."
I nodded.
The family doctor arrived quickly and examined Aura first. Fortunately, aside from being scared and having some minor scrapes, Aura was fine.
Aura closed her eyes, snoring softly. Even in sleep, she clutched my neck tightly, refusing to let go.
It seemed she was really frightened this time. I'd need to pay close attention to her condition over the next few days.
I carried Aura to bed, tucked her in, and stayed with her for a while. Then I found a servant and asked her to watch Aura for me temporarily.
I went to see Cecilia.
She got hurt saving Aura, so as Aura's mother, it would be rude not to show up and thank her.
The doctor was treating Cecilia's wounds.
When cleaning and disinfecting, Cecilia was in so much pain that cold sweat broke out, but she bit her teeth and didn't cry out, though tears kept flowing.
Her injuries did look serious. The cut on her arm needed stitches, her knees and elbows had large areas of bruising and contusions, and her ankle was swollen.
We couldn't do sterile surgery at home, so the family doctor could only give her basic treatment. The rest of her injuries would need surgery at the hospital.
James stood nearby watching, his eyes deep, seemingly lost in thought.
I stood beside him, wondering if Cecilia saving Aura was really just a coincidence.
I couldn't help but be suspicious. This was just too strange.
But I had no evidence right now, so I couldn't say anything.
After the family doctor finished bandaging her, James and I took her to the hospital.
The wound on Cecilia's arm required eight stitches, her ankle was sprained, and she had multiple soft tissue contusions on her body.
The doctor suggested she stay in the hospital to recover for a while.
James hired a caregiver to look after her, and he and I went home.
Aura was traumatized and slept very restlessly that night, constantly waking up crying. When she woke, only James and I, taking turns holding and comforting her, could get her back to sleep.
Near dawn, Aura finally fell into a deep sleep, tear stains still on her little face.
James and I quietly left the children's room and stood facing each other in the hallway, both our faces showing not just exhaustion, but also a hint of heaviness.
"Do you believe it was a coincidence?" I asked quietly, breaking the silence.
James rubbed his temples, his eyes sharp: "Too much of a coincidence. Yosef just disappeared with Aura, and she 'happened' to show up in such a remote place, and 'happened' to rescue Aura from Yosef."
"Yosef does physical work all year round, so he must be very strong. For her, a young woman, to escape from Yosef with a child—something's clearly wrong."
His suspicions were the same as mine.
"Maybe this was all an elaborate act she planned from the start."
"You suspect Yosef, and she is working together?" My heart skipped a beat.
"I've already had people investigate Yosef, but nothing's turned up yet." He paused, "And Yosef's whereabouts are currently unknown—can't find him alive or dead. It'll probably be hard for us to find evidence."
A chill ran down my spine.
Cecilia was willing to injure herself, putting on such an elaborate act, just to get close to James.
If this were true, then Cecilia's scheming and ruthlessness far exceeded my imagination.
If she could come up with such a plan, she must have done a good job covering her tracks. It would be very difficult for us to find any direct evidence.
"Either way, she now has the title of Aura's savior." James's voice was low, "We can't act rashly without evidence."
"Otherwise, we'll look ungrateful, and it would hurt Aura too."
"I understand." I nodded, "Then we'll hold back for now and investigate in secret."
"Since she went to such great lengths to stage this act, it can't just be to become Aura's savior."
I raised an eyebrow: "If necessary, we might have to sacrifice you to get some information."
James looked helpless: "Do I really need to use my charm?"
I smiled: "Last resort, just in case."
James shook his head: "Got it."
"I've arranged people at the hospital—officially to care for her, but actually to monitor her every move."
James looked at me, his eyes bloodshot, "You go rest first, I'll watch Aura."
"You too," I said quietly.
The next day, Aura's emotions were a bit more stable, but she kept asking about Cecilia.
"Mom, is Cecilia's injury better? She got hurt saving me. I'm so scared she'll die." Aura's eyes were red, full of guilt.
My feelings were mixed—both comforted by Aura's kindness and angry that Cecilia might be taking advantage of it.
"Cecilia is at the hospital with doctors and nurses taking care of her. She'll get better slowly." I gently comforted Aura.
That afternoon, James and I took Aura to the hospital. Aura specially picked out her favorite stuffed animal to give to Cecilia.
In the VIP room, Cecilia was half-reclined on the bed, her face still pale, her arm wrapped in bandages, with obvious bruises on her exposed skin.
Seeing us come in, especially seeing Aura, her eyes lit up, and she showed a gentle but weak smile.
"Mr. Smith, Ms. Brown, why did you come... Aura, were you scared? Did you have nightmares last night?" Her voice was soft, filled with concern.
"Cecilia!" Aura ran over with the stuffed animal, carefully looking at her arm, "Cecilia, does it still hurt?"
Cecilia smiled and said, "It doesn't hurt."
"This is for you. You can think of it as Aura keeping you company, so you won't be scared." Aura said innocently.
Cecilia's eyes immediately reddened. She used her uninjured hand to take the stuffed animal and touched Aura's head: "Thank you, Aura. Seeing that Aura is safe and sound makes me so happy, and when I'm happy, this injury will heal right away."
James said flatly, "Thank you for saving Aura this time. Focus on recovering, we won't treat you badly."
Cecilia looked at James and me, her eyes clear and sincere: "Mr. Smith, Ms. Brown, please don't be so polite."
"In that situation yesterday, anyone would have rushed in. I just did what should be done."
The more selfless and calm she appeared, the more suspicious I became.
If this really was an act, then her acting skills and composure were way too good.
James's expression was neutral as he nodded: "Ms. Thorne, recover well. All medical expenses and follow-up care will be covered by the Smith family."
"Mr. Smith, you really don't need to be so polite." Cecilia quickly declined, then lowered her eyes, showing just the right amount of dejection and self-mockery, "I know some of my past behavior may have caused Ms. Brown to misunderstand me, and annoyed Mr. Smith too."
"This time... I had no ulterior motives; I just happened to save Aura. You don't need to feel you owe me anything, and you don't need to force yourselves to change your opinion of me."
"I know that some people, some things, can't change overnight."
Her words were a strategic retreat, making her sound very understanding.