Overcome with thirst, she slowly pushed herself up on trembling arms to reach for the water glass on her nightstand.

She set it down immediately.

The glass was empty, drained at some forgotten hour.

Painstakingly avoiding any pressure on her left ankle, she inched toward the edge of the mattress and grabbed the electric kettle from the floor, intending to refill her cup.

To her dismay, the kettle felt suspiciously light.

Alarieka squeezed her eyes shut in frustration, a rare wave of helplessness washing over her.

Tamika and the housekeeper had already left for the evening. She’d have to manage alone rather than bother the night nurses.

She dragged the wheelchair beside her bed closer, each movement deliberate. Gripping her left thigh, she gradually shifted the injured leg over the mattress edge.

Lips pressed tight, she channeled all her strength into her arms. Pushing against the mattress while planting her right foot firmly, she heaved her torso into the wheelchair. Once settled, she carefully lifted her left leg onto the footrest.

Fresh sweat glistened on her brow by the time she finished.

Placing the kettle on her lap, Alarieka propelled herself forward using the wheelchair’s rims.

Her arms burned with fatigue by the time she reached the hallway.

Maneuvering before the water dispenser, she aligned the kettle’s opening with the steaming nozzle. As scalding water cascaded inside, the growing weight forced her to cradle it with both hands.

Just before full, a child’s piercing laughter shattered the midnight hospital silence.

Alarieka’s heart skipped a beat. Her wrist jerked violently as scenes from horror films flashed uncontrollably through her mind.

She froze, muscles locking as the laughter drew nearer.

“Slow down, Hanghang! You’ll fall!”

Sensing danger, Alarieka slapped the dispenser shut. Abandoning the kettle’s lid, she wheeled backward urgently.

The laughter closed in behind her. Panicking, she jammed her wheelchair against the corridor corner.

Thud-

“Ahh!”

A violent impact rocked Alarieka’s chair backward, followed instantly by the boy’s terrified scream piercing her ears.

Hearing the boy’s voice, the woman’s eyes flared with anger, gripping Alarieka’s wheelchair handles tightly.

“What are you talking about? All I know is your boiling water scalded my son! You must pay! Compensate for his medical bills and emotional distress before leaving!”

The woman’s shrill curses tangled with the child’s piercing wails, tearing through Alarieka’s ears. The woman’s crimson face contorted in her vision.

Fresh from a string of misfortunes – the stinging burns on her thighs and calves from scalding water, the shattered thermos resting on her lap – Alarieka’s patience had snapped.

Her voice turned icy. “Fine. Let’s call the police and check the surveillance footage. We’ll see who’s really at fault.”

Alarieka shot a cold glance at the security camera in the hydration room. “Perfect angle capturing my spot. When the cops arrive, they’ll see exactly how your son crashed into me.”

The woman stiffened, then glared at the little boy sprawled on the floor.

The boy’s eyes darted. He promptly threw himself on the ground, thrashing and howling louder. “Waaah… It hurts so bad, Mommy! I’m dying…”

Bolstered, the woman lifted her chin, arrogant and unreasonable. “You’ve got no common decency! My child’s hurt this badly, and you dare bully him? Shame on you as an adult! However you spin it, it’s your hot water that scalded my son. You’re responsible!”

“He’s our only child. Harm him, and my husband, our whole family – we’ll make you pay. Transfer ten thousand for medical fees now, then apologize. Maybe we’ll let this slide.”

Alarieka watched her coldly, prying the woman’s hand off the wheelchair grip. “Can’t be bothered. Call the police or leave. Stop wasting my time.”