339: PLANNING CHANGES ARIEL’S POV I watched how Harriet swiftly hid the dagger in her pocket. There was a knock on the door, and Doctor Jamal entered the room. Standing right there, he looked at Harriet with a puzzled expression. “What are you doing here?” Jamal asked her, his brows furrowing in confusion. “I just came to check on the patient,” Harriet replied smoothly, her voice dripping with false innocence. Jamal crossed his arms, not taking his eyes off her. “Why don’t you go and assist others with work? I can assure you that the patient is completely fine.” Harriet nodded at that very moment and hastily left the room. I couldn’t help but smile to myself, feeling victorious. Doctor Jamal noticed and asked, “Why are you smiling, Ariel?” I shook my head, suppressing a chuckle. “It’s nothing, Doctor Jamal.” He studied me for a moment before asking. “Are you okay?” I nodded, grateful for his concern. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for checking on me.” He smiled warmly. “You’re welcome. Take care of yourself, Ariel.” The moment he left the room, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Despite the tense encounter with Harriet, I was grateful for Jamal’s timely intervention. I knew it; Ariel was always a failure. She might have won me sometimes, but in general, she was a complete failure. Hours passed, and I was still here in the hospital, right on this bed. All I could do was think about Luke, and I was really worried about him. It was clear; the both of us lost consciousness at that moment. I didn’t know. However, this was serious, since Luke was still insensible. He took longer than mine, and right now, I was just praying that he recovered soon. Still laying in the hospital bed, lost in my worries about Luke, the door creaked open, and in walked Janice, my beautiful daughter, holding Mariam’s hand. My heart lifted at the sight of her, a bright spot in this dim room, But Mariam is around here, coming to see me? That was weird. And now, I was hoping that she didn’t come to hurl insults at me. It didn’t seem to be the case around here. “Mom!” Janice blurted out, her face lighting up with joy as she rushed to my side. “I missed you so much!” Tears welled up in my eyes as I pulled her into a tight hug, grateful for her presence here. It was actually a pleasure to see her here. 939: PLANNING CHANGE “Oh, Janice, I missed you too, sweetheart, I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Mariam followed behind Janice with a warm smile on her face. “We brought some food for you, Ariel,” she said kindly, placing the containers on the bedside table. I thought you might be hungry I paused at first, not knowing the right words to say. And with the way she observed me, it was clear that she understood the expression. But anyway, I had to smile gratefully at her, touched by her thoughtfulness “Thank you, Mariam That’s so sweet of you” Janice peered at me with wide eyes. “Mom, I’m really glad that you’re okay. You’ve been in the hospital for so long now, you and Daddy, and the whole place seemed empty without you two.” I brushed a strand of hair away from her face. Tm so sorry about that, sweetheart.” “Why are you saying sorry?” It’s not your fault.” “Yes, of course it isn’t. “But I can tell how you were so lonely “That is correct, Mo. But you’re okay now. We can leave the hospital, you, me and Daddy. Grab some ice cream and hang out together.” “Well, that’s not happening any time soon.” Janice’s excitement faded a little. “Why not?” “Because I’m still injured. According to the doctor and your grandma, I’m not physically fit to move around.” “Oh, that’s bad” Janice’s tone was low. Mariam knelt down beside Janice, her expression gentle. “Even so, you do not have to worry about anything. Your mother is a strong woman, Janice. She’ll be back on her feet in no time,” she said, offering words of encouragement. And I was like, ‘Wow. This new attitude of Mariam would be surprising to me every single time. Janice nodded, bringing back her wonderful smile. “I know, Aunt Mariam. She is the bravest person i know!” I laughed a little. “Don’t forget your father.” “I can’t actually say for him.” Janice shrugged playfully, causing me and Mariam to laugh. My heart swelled with pride at Janice’s words. Despite everything, she still saw me as her hero. I hugged her tightly once more, feeling a surge of gratitude for my precious daughter. “But mom, the house has been a total mess, with you and Daddy not being around.” I looked at Janice in a confused manner. “What? What do you mean by that?” “It’s my aunt,” Mariam replied instantly. I gave her my attention. “Who, Liliana?” “Yes, she’s been acting like the boss since Luke is still in a coma. And trust me, it was like we were in hell. She even kicked Cynthia out of the house.” “She did what now? I blurted out. “You want to know what else is terrible? She turned Randy and Ethan into slaves; now they work alongside the workers,” Janice revealed. “That’s terrible,” I spoke in hushed tones and turned to her. “I hope she didn’t do anything to you.” “No, she did not. But that cannot change the fact that she was mean to me.” “In general, she’s mean to everyone in the house. And we’re all waiting for you and Luke to come back to change all of that,” Mariam told me. “I can’t tolerate that woman. I was planning to move out of the house until we came here, and I saw that you’d regained consciousness. At least, there is hope.” “I wish I could just go there right now and put Liliana in her place. But unfortunately, I can’t. I’m still not physically fit.” “Oh, right. I totally forgot about that part,” Mariam said, almost inaudible. “But you both do not have to worry.“We’re going to put an end to whatever nonsense is being carried out by Liliana.” “When exactly?” Mariam asked, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t know, but it won’t be very long. “And I know for a fact that Luke will regain consciousness by then.” “I hope so,” Mariam uttered. “I have to go now. Janice, don’t you want to come along?” “No, I’m staying with my mom.” “Do you want to spend the night with me?” I asked Janice. “Yes. I’ve spent days without you. And now that you are finally awake, why should I waste the great moment?” “Aww Janice. That’s so sweet of you.” I beamed at her. “Okay, then. I’ll leave the two of you here. Tomorrow morning, I’ll come to pick up Janice from the hospital so she can get ready for school. I looked at Janice. “Oh, the holidays are finally over for you guys.” “Yeah. Grandma picked a great school for me. “Cynthia?” “Yes,” Mariam answered. “I’ll go now,” “Okay, thanks for bringing Janice to the hospital. It means a lot to me.” “No problem, Ariel.” Mariam finally left the room.
