Chapter 173

Captain Kirk's head drooped lower and lower as we kept teasing him. Finally, Savannah couldn't take it anymore and stepped in to stop us. "Alright, Caroline, Kathy. Mr. Gutierrez spends most of his time training with the troops. He doesn't get this stuff, and you're just confusing him."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You're sticking up for him now?"

The two of them exchanged an embarrassed glance.

Just then, my phone rang. It was a video call from Kelly. I panicked. "Quick, quick, my mom's calling me on video. Everyone, be on alert."

I couldn't let Kelly find out I was in the hospital. She'd drop everything and rush over here.

As I was about to answer, Royce's large hand blocked my neck. "Wait, your neck."

I was taken aback. Royce was always so meticulous, even remembering to cover my neck, which I had forgotten.

I grabbed a scarf and wrapped it around my neck before answering the call.

"Hey, Mom, what's up?"

"I just wanted to check on Kathy. How's she doing? Is she recovering well?"

I glanced at Kathy, who was standing nearby, full of energy. I nodded. "She's doing much better. She'll probably be discharged soon. Let me show you."

I pointed the camera at Kathy, who took the opportunity to do a little dance in front of the lens.

"Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Sharp. I'm feeling much better and will be discharged soon."

"I'll come visit you in Suncrest City then."

Kelly nodded. "I'm a bit tied up here with a few kids to take care of, so I couldn't come see you this time. Sorry, Kathy."

Kathy waved her hand dismissively. "No need to come. It's just a minor issue, and I'm about to be discharged. If you came, I wouldn't know what to do, and my parents might find out too."

Kelly nodded, but then her eyes narrowed. "Caroline, why are you in a wheelchair?"

I was startled. While filming Kathy, I had accidentally shown myself in the wheelchair. Kelly's sharp eyes caught it immediately.

"This, this is Kathy's. She's recovering, but the wheelchair hasn't been taken back yet. I just wanted to try it out since I've never sat in one before."

I quickly stood up, smiling. "See, I'm perfectly fine."

In reality, I felt dizzy as soon as I stood up, and it was only Royce's support that kept me from falling.

"Well, you should get out of it. If the doctor hasn't taken it away, it means she still needs it. You shouldn't be using someone else's wheelchair."

"Got it, Mom. I'll return it right away."

I signaled to Kathy, who cleared her throat and changed her voice. "Kathy, time for rounds."

I immediately said, "Mom, Kathy's got to go for rounds. I'll talk to you later."

"The hospital is too chaotic right now. Once Kathy is discharged, I'll chat with you at home."

Kelly didn't suspect a thing and nodded. "Alright, make sure to return the wheelchair."

I nodded quickly and hung up the call.

After hanging up, I let out a deep breath. Every call with Kelly felt like a covert operation, all to hide my illness.

Thankfully, today's mission was a success.

I sat back down, holding my head. "I'm so dizzy."

We kids who live away from home usually only share good news with our parents to keep them from worrying. Otherwise, what's the point?

Kathy also breathed a sigh of relief. Helping me with this act was a huge psychological burden for her.

"Good thing I'll be discharged in a couple of days. I can't keep up this act. Lying to Mrs. Sharp makes me feel awful."

I rolled my eyes at her. "Didn't I help you lie to your parents? How can you be so ungrateful? You have to see this through with me."

Kathy stuck out her tongue and returned to her room.

I said goodbye to Kirk and Savannah, leaving them some private space.

After all, some things they needed to work out themselves. Even if I confessed for them, it wouldn't help their progress.

Royce wheeled me back to my room and kindly closed the door behind us.

What they talked about, we didn't know.

Back in my room, I wanted to lie down. Royce immediately reached out to help me onto the bed.

I quickly refused. "No, no, I can do it myself. I'm not that fragile."

But Royce didn't listen. He effortlessly picked me up and placed me on the bed, even tucking me in.

My face turned slightly red. He had gotten quite used to doing this during my hospital stay.

I couldn't help but protest. "Royce, you're getting too comfortable carrying me around. Don't you have your own work to do?"

"Of course."

Royce calmly straightened his clothes and looked down at me. "But some things are more urgent. Right now, the most important thing for me is taking care of you."

I bit my lip, feeling my face heat up, unsure how to respond.

I didn't know where he learned to say these things, but he was getting better at it, and with such confidence.

His skin was getting thicker, while mine was getting thinner.

I turned away, pretending not to see him.

I heard him chuckle softly behind me.

Feeling even more embarrassed, I pulled the blanket over my head, planning to sleep.

Sleeping meant I didn't have to face him.

But Royce wasn't just joking. He was quite busy, often on the phone or in video meetings for hours.

I often urged him to go back to work, saying I could hire a nurse.

But he stubbornly stayed, no matter how much I tried to persuade him. Eventually, I gave up. If he wanted to stay, so be it. He was the one working hard, not me.

Lying there, I felt increasingly sleepy.

Since the car accident, I got tired easily. The doctor said it was normal after a concussion and would help with recovery, so I closed my eyes and drifted off, knowing Royce was there to keep me safe.

Maybe I didn't realize it, but Royce's presence was my greatest source of security.