Chapter 475
Odalys only then noticed several dried flowers neatly arranged beside her.
Sienna followed her gaze and, looking a little embarrassed, waved her hand. โAfter Iโm done with company matters, I usually stay here at the hospital to take care of Dangelo. When I have nothing else to do, I just pack up the dried flowers. Vacuum-sealing them helps preserve them longer. I planned to bring some to you next timeโฆโ
She said it almost sheepishly, as if apologizing for not having done it sooner.
Odalysโs throat tightened as she took another sip of the flower-infused coffee. The last time she had been treated with such kindness was by the Bennett family, who had exploited her for years without ever considering her preferencesโwhat she liked to eat or drink. But here, Sienna, having seen her enjoy the coffee once, had remembered and made sure to brew it for her again.
The thought brought a painful warmth to her chest.
โIโm glad you like it,โ Sienna said, her eyes brightening as Odalys drank.
Dangelo, seeing the coffee in Odalysโs hands, hurried over with a plush rabbit doll, presenting it to her with a hopeful smile. โWhat do you think? I found this yesterday when we went downstairs for a walk. There was a claw machine across from the mall, and believe it or not, we actually won it! I thought you might like it.โ
He offered the plush toy with a slightly shaky hand, a little self-conscious. For a man of his age, holding a stuffed bunny was a bit out of character, but it had taken him and Sienna the whole afternoonโand a thousand dollars in coinsโto win it. They had laughed together, and it had been worth it.
Odalysโs voice was soft, bittersweet, as she replied, โI never expected the first person to give me a stuffed animal would be you.โ
She paused, memories flooding her mind. โWhen I was little, I always wanted one.โ
It was a strange feelingโthe pang of nostalgia mixed with sorrow. As a child, she had dreamed of cute things like this, but the Rennen family had stifled those dreams. Now, the Drake family was bringing them back to life. The sensation was both foreign and comforting, like something sheโd longed for but never had the chance to experience.
โTake it. Itโs yours,โ Dangelo insisted, his voice firm but kind.
โIf you ever want to get more, just let us know, and weโll go with you,โ Sienna added, a soft smile on her lips.
Odalys accepted the bunny, her delicate fingers brushing against its soft fur as she cradled it to her chest. A tender smile flickered on her face.
Sienna and Dangelo exchanged glances; Dangelo then joined Percival and the others in their discussion. Sienna, however, stayed by Odalysโs side, fussing over her like a mother hen.
โDangeloโs condition has stabilized,โ Odalys said, her voice calm but purposeful. โThe cancer cells havenโt spread, but the medication may need to be adjusted. Iโll talk to Clarence about changing the prescription later.โ
It had been several days since she had last visited the hospital. She had been so overwhelmed with work that she had forgotten about Dangeloโs medication adjustments. It was only when Orson had reminded her in the car that she remembered.
Sienna shook her head, gently guiding Odalys to sit on the sofa. โNo rush. Youโve been working too hard. Take a break. You need it.โ
Sienna handed her a plate of fruit, then peeled some walnuts for her, offering each piece with such care. โHere, eat some blueberries and some walnuts,โ Sienna urged, her hands gentle and precise.
Odalys watched in silence, her heart tightening. Sienna was so busy, moving from one task to the next, bringing Odalys one thing after another, even crushing walnuts for her. She ate everything Sienna gave her, though the act felt bittersweet.
โYouโre going to spoil her at this rate,โ Dangelo teased, chuckling from across the room.
Sienna paused, her hands still holding the large bowl of crushed walnuts. A slight flush crept onto her cheeks. โI canโt help it; sheโs so thin. I just want her to eat well.โ
Odalys couldnโt help but smile at their warmth, but it made her chest ache even more. Sienna wasnโt doing this out of obligation. She genuinely cared for her, treated her like her own daughter.
Chapter 475 (Continued)
When Odalys reached for some dried flowers, she instantly recognized them as wildflowersโhandpicked from the mountains. They werenโt artificially cultivated, but naturally grown, probably by Sienna herself.
โHow did you get these?โ Odalys asked, her voice hushed.
Sienna seemed surprised by the question. โHow did you know they were picked from the mountains?โ she asked, incredulous.
โI just knew,โ Odalys murmured softly, her heart aching. โI thought the mountain flowers would have a better flavor when brewed for coffee. Theyโre nourished by nature, by the essence of the earth. I thought they would be more beneficial to the body.โ
Siennaโs face softened with affection. โYouโre right. These have a better taste, and I believe theyโre healthier too.โ
Odalys blinked rapidly, fighting back tears. She realized that Sienna and Dangelo werenโt trying to flatter her. They genuinely wanted to care for her, and in their hearts, they were treating her like a daughter.
โThen Iโll take some with me,โ Odalys said quietly, her voice trembling slightly.
Sienna smiled and nodded eagerly. โOf course, take whatever you like. Iโll have the rest sent to the Stewart family.โ
Percival and Harvey continued their serious discussion, but Odalysโs mind was elsewhere. She drank the rest of the coffee and walked to the directorโs office, where Clarence was already seated, examining a report. Odalys knocked on the door.
Clarence looked up, his white hair a little disheveled. His sharp eyes softened when he saw Odalys, and he immediately jumped up to greet her. "Odalys, youโre here? Please, sit!โ he said, clearly excited.
He was still studying the new prescription she had sent through Orson. The more he examined it, the more intrigued he became.
โYouโve outsmarted us all, Odalys,โ he murmured, a grin forming on his face. โYouโve got a better head on your shoulders than any of us old-timers.โ
Odalys smiled but quickly got to the point. โClarence, have you looked over the prescription I sent to Orson?โ
โOf course!โ Clarence said, walking over to his desk and pulling out the printed prescription. His hands trembled slightly as he handed it to her. โItโs brilliant, really. These two ingredients work perfectly together. They can protect the heart while locking down the bacteria, forcing them out or suppressing them. Thereโs even a chance that we could use those bacteria for something else in the future.โ
Odalys grabbed a pen and added a note on the paper, her attention fully on the details.
The two of them discussed the formula, and though they had an age gap, their mutual understanding of traditional medicine was clear. In fact, Odalysโs knowledge surpassed Clarenceโs, and he wasnโt shy about admitting it.
Finally, Clarence looked up from the paper, his eyes filled with admiration. โOdalys, once you finish everything youโre working on, I want to establish a traditional medicine clinic and hospital in your name. What do you think?โ