Chapter 8

When I opened my eyes, I saw a blurry face resting by my bedside. The air was thick with the pungent smell of disinfectant.

My mind slowly came back to me. So I was in the hospital.

It seemed the driver had called the police, and I'd been brought here in time.

I tried to sit up, perhaps a bit too roughly, and the person next to me stirred, then lifted their head.

It was Asher.

His naturally alluring eyes stared intently at me for a long time. Then he slowly raised a hand and gently touched the bandage on my head:

"Sister… does it hurt?"

It had been too long since I'd heard his voice.

His voice was a little hoarse, as if he hadn't used it in a long time.

But it wasn't unpleasant; rather, it was a low, comforting sound.

But I was completely stunned. Asher… just spoke to me?

It wasn't just me who was dumbfounded. Even Mrs. Caldwell, who had just walked in, suddenly froze, her eyes wide:

"Was that… Asher speaking?"

She was always composed, but now even her voice trembled:

"Asher, say 'Mom,' okay?"

Asher merely gave her a faint glance, then turned back, staring at my wound, not uttering another word.

I felt a little helpless, wanting to smooth things over, but didn't know what to say:

"Mom, just now, Brother, he… actually…"

Mrs. Caldwell waved her hand, her eyes instantly reddening:

"It's okay, no rush, Asher needs time…"

She didn't finish her sentence. Just then, Maria walked in, carrying a lunchbox.

During dinner, as she served us soup, she mentioned that the alley incident from that day had been thoroughly investigated.

It was just a few street punks who, hearing the Caldwell family had a decent background, got some crooked ideas.

What was even more outrageous was that one of them was actually a student from our school!

The adult culprits had all been arrested and wouldn't escape jail time, and the student had been expelled from school, his punishment decided.

I hummed in acknowledgment, but my gaze involuntarily drifted to Asher next to me.

Who would have believed it?

In my past life, just because of these few rotten people's momentary evil thoughts, such a pure person was dragged into hell.

Thankfully, this time. He was sitting perfectly fine in front of me.

Asher saw me just staring blankly, my forks untouched, and frowned slightly:

"Sister, eat."

I froze, quickly snapped back to attention, and casually picked up a piece of ribs to place in his bowl:

"You eat more too, Brother."

Dinner was just finished. A nurse rushed in, bustling and laughing as she pointed at Asher:

"Running around again! Do you know your own room is on the third floor?!"

Only then did I understand. He had secretly snuck over. Before leaving, he stood by my bed, reached out, and ruffled my hair:

"Sister, get well soon."

Just those few words. All the adults in the room had red-rimmed eyes.

Maria turned her back, subtly wiping the corner of her eye.

After he left, Mrs. Caldwell didn't move. She stood rooted to the spot, watching his receding figure, for a long time.

Today she wasn't wearing makeup, and her hair was simply tied back.

She looked less sharp, with a rare hint of softness.

"Asher wasn't like this before."

"He was obedient, polite, and unnaturally intelligent for a child. Back then, everyone said the Caldwell family had produced a prodigy, not… a silent, withdrawn boy."

She sat beside me, her voice as light as a breeze:

"The change began with an accident four years ago."

My heart jolted, and I froze in place.