Brian shook his head with a laugh.
âFine, whatever makes you happy.â
Sanford smirked.
âOh, now youâre being all agreeable.
Iâm not used to this side of you.â
âYou prefer it when I give you a hard time?â
âMostly because, after being crushed under your reign for years, Iâve learned to submit.â
As their playful banter carried on, Rosalynn, having finished her preparations, signaled Brian to move aside.
Obliging, Brian stepped back, his eyes trained on Rosalynn as she expertly inserted the needles into Sanfordâs skin.
Maggie and Shari stood quietly outside the ward, not saying much at first, just watching the door.
Shari glanced at Maggie.
âIt seems Mr.
Hughes and Mr.
Robles are really close.â
Maggie nodded.
âYeah, theyâre best friends.â
Shari continued, her voice thoughtful, âItâs not often you meet someone like Mr.
Robles.
He risked his life, going to that dangerous place to save Mr.
Hughes, and now he is paralyzed because of it.
That kind of loyalty is something else.â
Maggie smiled softly.
âSanfordâs always been a genuine friend.â
There was a brief pause before Shari added with a hint of amusement, âYou know, back at the hospital in Boblyae, when they realized Mr.
Robles might end up with a permanent injury, Mrs.
Hughes offered to help with acupuncture.
But Mr.
Hughes got jealous and didnât want her to! Can you believe that? Heâs a little possessive, donât you think?â
Maggieâs smile faded slightly.
âYeah, heâs always been protective of Rosalynn.â
Shari nodded.
âItâs clear he keeps a close eye on her.
But come on, Mr Robles got hurt saving him.
His legs might never heal, and here Mr.
Hughes is, letting jealousy get in the way of Mrs.
Hughes helping out.
It doesnât seem fair.â
Maggie looked at Shari with a frown.
âSanford will definitely be able to stand again,â she asserted.
Shari, sensing Maggieâs unease, hurried to apologize.
âIâm sorry, Miss Shear.
I didnât mean to upset you.
I just speak my mind.
Right now, as Mr.
Roblesâ Iâm here to special caregiver, support you.â
Maggie managed a faint smile but said nothing more.
In about twenty minutes later, the acupuncture session was done.
Brian opened the ward door, letting Maggie and Shari inside.
Sanford lay on the bed, his face pale and his body weak from the treatment and the pain of his injury.
Maggieâs heart ached with worry.
She quietly poured a glass of water and gently helped him drink.
Sanford took a few sips and noticed her troubled look.
âWhatâs wrong?â he asked softly.
Maggie set the cup down and shook her head.
âItâs nothing,â she said, trying to sound reassuring.