curled up on the worn sofa, his small body radiating an alarming warmth. His usually bright eyes we

llen and inflamed beneath the fabric. Panic tightened its icy grip aroun

edule, and now the urgency of William's fever, Aiko knew she co

ity, she quickly bundled William into her arm

that first terrifying fall, she directed the driver to the prestigious City Medical Center – the same ex

y were quickly ushered in. A doctor, his expression serious, examined William's

and heat are

xplained, hi

nough blood supply and can start to die. We need to do an X-ray immediately. Depending on the re

nd reeled

sed reduction – manipulating the bone back into place without surgery – followed by a cast, but stressed the importance of close monitoring for any signs of necros

r hand, Aiko nodded, her voice trembling slightly.

shed VIP section for the elderly, two uniformed guards stood stationed outside a closed door. Inside, Zhang, Jian Tanaka's father, lay hospitalized. Unaware

a ward, his fever slowly starting to subside. Relief washed over Aiko, so potent it almost brought her to her kne

to gather some of William's things and try to get a few hour

r stomach loosened slightly as she approached William's ward. He was sitting up in bed, a small smile gracing his lips as he watched a ca

am

ll a little weak but filled

e, relief washing over

boy! How are

tte

the screen. "The funny cat i

ently. The fever had broken. "You gave

and squeezed her hand. "I'm sor

fixed it, didn't he?" She adjuste

looking down at the plaster cast on h

heart lighter than it had been in days

am

, his voice s

, de

for stayi

ith such genuine affection,

orehead. "Oh, my sweet boy. Ther

side Zhang's VIP room had been replaced by a new pair, their postures just

y and the nurses keeping a close eye on him, Aiko f

llowed her a small measure of breathing room, a tem

Saying goodbye to her sleeping son with a promise to return soon, s

denly unbearable. Five years she had dedicated to this job, earning three hard-fought raises. Yet, the relentless stress and the barely sufficient salary paled i

ething invaluable: time. Time to be with William, e

t still flickered within her, but for now, William's well-being was paramount. The extra income from Tanaka Holdings, as well as the refund from Miss May's insurance compan

at Tanaka Holdings more aligned with her qualifications might

ered a stability and a financial freedom that t

nding manager at the Pan-Pacific, a weight lifted from Aiko's shoulders. The