Chapter 11½

Debra sighed in relief. “The doctor said you need to stay here for observation. During that time, I’ll take care of you.” She paused and corrected herself, “I mean, we will take care of you.”

“Huh?” Marion was baffled.

Before Debra could explain, a knock came from the door. A group of caregivers shuffled in, looking like they wanted to be anywhere else. The air was thick with awkwardness before one of them finally broke the silence. “Sir, we’re caregivers assigned to look after you during your recovery.”

“Oh, caregivers?” Debra arched a brow. “Funny, though. You all look kind of familiar. Haven’t we met before?”

“No, ma’am. We’ve never met. We’re just ordinary workers here,” they insisted.

Debra stood up and walked toward them, narrowing her eyes. “You mean to tell me I don’t recognize the men who are always hovering around Drake?”

The men panicked, their façade crumbling. “Ma’am, we’re just following orders. If we mess this up, we’ll be punished. Please, don’t blow our cover.”

Debra had no intention of making things difficult for them. As long as Drake didn’t cause trouble, she didn’t mind having some helping hands.

“Have any of you even worked as caregivers before?” she asked.

The men shook their heads.

“So, what were you before? Just muscle for Drake?” she asked again.

They all nodded sheepishly.

“And what did Drake tell you to do for Marion?”

The group exchanged nervous glances before one of them stepped forward and replied, “We’re told to make sure Mr. Houston doesn’t die.”

“That’s it?”

They nodded nervously.

“Well, that’s a pretty low bar,” Erica scoffed.

She had hoped Drake’s men might ease her workload and save her money, but it turned out they didn’t know the first thing about caregiving.

“Can you at least manage basic tasks? Like bringing tea and water?”

“That we can do,” they replied confidently.

Erica nodded. “Alright. For the next few days, your only job is to serve water and tea.”

“Yes, ma’am. It’ll be an honor to serve Mr. Houston,” they said happily before leaving the room.

Debra walked back to the bed. “We’ve got free caregivers. Just tell them whatever you need. Drake owes us.”

Marion protested, “But I don’t want their care.”

He thought the wedding date might be the wrong choice. It brought him bad luck and almost cost him his life.

Just then, the door opened. Erica and Randy walked in, carrying bags of food.

“We brought dinner,” Erica announced cheerfully.

Debra took the bags, laying out the food on a small table. The aroma filled the room, and Erica and Randy started eating right away.

Marion, however, didn’t move. Instead, he looked at Debra pitifully. “My hand hurts.”