Chapter 26: Beyond Saving

After speaking, Bella turned and walked away. As she passed Leonard, she asked in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Leonard lazily looked up at the sky. "Can't I look at the moon?"

Bella, feeling irritated, knew he had followed her. She lacked the energy for small talk. "Well, enjoy your moon-gazing. I'm heading back."

Leonard casually followed her. "You really don't appreciate good intentions, do you? I was just worried you might run into trouble. You're my tenant, and if something happened to you, I'd be responsible."

Bella shot back, annoyed, "Right now, you're the biggest danger to me. As a landlord, is it normal to stalk your tenant?"

Leonard was at a loss for words, forcing a grin through gritted teeth. "Yes, yes, I'm a creep. You should be careful around me from now on."

Over the next week, Simon sent Bella daily messages, urging her to leave the tiny, desolate town and come with him to Holha, promising her a great life. Seeing Simon's designer clothes and expensive watch (worth hundreds of thousands), Bella knew he'd been successful. But she had no intention of taking advantage of that. Growing up in Miller Manor, she'd seen it all; she wouldn't be swayed by money or material possessions.

She never replied, but Simon persisted, sending messages morning, noon, and night. Finally, before leaving town, he sent a farewell message, which Bella ignored.

Working at the small-town hospital was easy and stress-free. Most days were quiet. The escape from the big city was pleasant. If she could, she would live peacefully in the town for the rest of her days. Her only trouble was the occasional thought of Dominic, which always stirred her quiet heart. Would they ever meet again?

The tranquility was shattered one ordinary morning. A seemingly honest and kind man brought a swaddled infant into the hospital. He found Bella's office by chance. When she noticed the baby's unnaturally flushed, purple face, her heart sank.

"I'm not a pediatrician," she said. "You should find another doctor quickly. There's an experienced one next door!"

The man's eyes bulged. "I want you to treat him! If something happens to my child, you won't get away with it!"

Bella frowned. "If you keep delaying, something will go wrong! He might even need to be transferred to another hospital!"

Ignoring her, the man thrust the baby into her arms. "It's just a cold. Give him a shot, and he'll be fine. I'm going to the restroom; be quick!"

Before she could react, he disappeared. Bella was furious, but saving the baby was her priority. She rushed to the next office, holding the infant, and asked the old doctor to examine him. "Please check this baby. A man brought him in and went to the restroom."

The old doctor took one glance and said, "The child's beyond saving. Get the family to take him away quickly, or they'll blame the hospital."

It dawned on Bella that she might have been set up. Some people use dying children to extort hospitals for compensation.

She gritted her teeth, unwrapped the baby, and performed a quick examination. The baby had severe jaundice and a distended abdomen. He was less than six months old and barely breathing. It was likely congenital biliary atresia. The old doctor was right—the child was beyond saving.

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