atic journey with wide, fascinated eyes. He sat patiently on a low concrete barrier near the entrance, his small legs swinging rhythmically, waiting for h

sun. William's attention remained fixed on his balloon, now bobbing near a gleaming white sedan. He conside

stracted by the brightly colored balloon fluttering past, didn't immediately regi

pierced the air, follow

replaying snippets of the interview. A wave of dread washed over her as sh

roperty, reacted instantly. One of them, a tall, imposing man

air of cool indifference. Her designer sunglasses remained firmly in place, and a barely perce

s voice was firm but polite.

ng a manicured nail on the steering

The guard's tone brooked no argument. He recognized her; she worked o

park frantically. Her breath hitched in her throat as she saw a small figure

aw with terror. She stumbled towards

kly to intercept her, but she brushed past him, her

er car. Her expression remained largely unchanged, a flicker of

ng across the car park. He was unconscious, a small s

nce, Madam," the security gua

eeds help now! You!" she pointed a trembling finger at Miss May, who was st

Aiko had just asked her for tim

iss May, your vehicle will be used to transport the child and his mother to the hospital immedia

firm directive. Miss May, finally sensing the unwavering resolve of the security personnel and the r

er arms and got into the back seat of Miss May's pristine white sedan. T

Quickly," Aiko commanded, h

rmac, watching her car speed away with a look of bewildered indig

for Aiko. William remained limp in her arms. The security guard

ed out of the car, cradling William tightly. Nurses and doctors rushed towards th

looking slightly disheveled but composed. She was no longer wearing her sunglasses, and her eyes, though still holding a hint of their earlier coolness, now carried a

er into the waiting area. He gestured towards a row of unoccupied chairs before disc

er lap. Slowly, with a noticeable lack of her earlier sassy swagger, Miss May walked towards Aiko and sat down in the chair beside her, leaving a small but perceptible spa

kind-faced woman in a white coat, a stethoscope draped around h

, her eyes red

e's resting now, but he's awake and asking for you." Dr. Tan offered a small, reassuring smile. "We've also prepared the initial

hed over her. Eight hundred and fifty Singapore dollars was

d reduction and casting – to ensure the arm heals properly and to pre

sharp and laced with her old arrogance. "Well, this is hardly my fault, is it? "If

y son was sitting where I told him to! You were the one reversing without looking!

to pin this on me. Children are unpredictable. T

Negligent? He's five years old! He was waiting for his mother, who was trying to secure a future for u

aving a hand, "accidents happen. I'm

terview! You injured my son on their property! And let me tell you something, Miss May," Aiko leaned forward, her gaze unwavering, "I have your license plate number. The security here

he considered the implications of Aiko's words and the presence of the security guard nearb

customed to having things handled for her. "I'll call my insurance company. "They can deal with all of this." She tapped a fe

ess everything, but it usually takes some time." She looked at Aiko with a shrug that conveyed a compl

oney right now." She looked at the initial bill for SGD 850, a sum that represented more than half of

to sort out the initial payment yourself, I suppose. "They'll refund you eventually." She picked up her designer ha

he security guard, Miss May walked away, leaving Aiko feeli

temporary splint. The initial bill felt heavy in her purse, a significant chunk of her already strained f

sion? Would they call her back? The hope she had felt earlier now seemed fragile, oversha

Aiko. "That arrogant, heartless woman," she muttered under her breath, the injustice of it all burning within her. She hoped the cameras in the car