Carsonâs reaction was one of disbelief Even those present were taken aback.
They werenât prepared for Joey's outburst.
Joey had not uttered Victorâs name in the previous one and a half months.
Except for Joeyâs mild depression during the first several days, everything else was normal.
Rachel was concerned that Joey would keep his feelings bottled up.
For a few days, she kept an eye on him and found that he was eating properly and sleeping well.
She no longer feared for his safety.
"Joeâ¦"
It dawned on Joey, too, that heâd blown it.
He climbed out of bed and said, "Mommy, I need to use the restroom."
He entered the restroom without waiting for Rachelâs response. Carson grimaced as he saw the model Joey threw on the floor and then turned to Rachel.
His gaze on Rachel suggested that he wanted to know what was going on, even if no words were said, A lot of work had kept him occupied recently.
Moreover, when Victor previously met Joey, he was not there, so he was unaware of what had transpired.
Something had gone wrong during their encounter, it appeared.
"Is he not in the loop?" Carson asked "Heâs not," Rachel said.
"He wasnât in the mood to hear it at that time.So I didnât tell him."
Carson peered sideways at the closed door and was about to speak when a phone call interrupted him.He checked the caller ID to see who was calling.It came from one of the companyâs employees.
He answered the telephone.
"Everything good?"
Someone on the other end of the phone line said something.
Carsonâs mood deteriorated as a result of this.
"Okay.Iâll be there soon.Until then, we canât talk."
Then, Carson ended the call.
When Carsonâs mood changed, Rachel noticed.
She told him, "You may return first if you need to attend to anything.Iâll first take this gift to Joey."
Carson had meant to speak with Joey after he emerged from the restroom.
But there was something more pressing that prevented him from doing so.
He nodded and said, "Please tell him that Iâm glad heâs discharged from the hospital."
"Sure."
Carson nodded at Andy.
His back was to the door at this point, as he prepared to exit the ward.He appeared to recall something at the last second.He came to a halt and then turned around.
"Are you returning to Sue Garden, by the way? After I complete my job, I plan to go there.Even if Joey is angry with his own father, he must not bring me into the picture."
"Itâs unlikely that we will return to Sue Garden." Rachelâs eyes clouded as she spoke.
"Why?"
"I stayed in Sue Garden earlier because of Joey.But I donât believe Joey will want to return at this point in time," Rachel said under her breath.
"The Bennet familyâs home has always been vacant.Andy has hired maids to clean the home.Joey and I will stay in there."
The phone rang again as Carson was about to say something, It was the same employee calling once again.
Carson hung up the phone with a frown on his face.
After a lengthy pause, he inquired, "Did you tell Vic."
"Not yet.And after Joey leaves the hospital, I wonât return.Carson, just tell him the truth," Rachel said.
Rachel had been invited to Victorâs ward by Lukas from time to time over the past month.
A lot of work had kept him occupied recently.
Moreover, when Victor previously met Joey, he was not there, so he was unaware of what had transpired.
Something had gone wrong during their encounter, it appeared.
"Is he not in the loop?" Carson asked.
"Heâs not,"
Rachel said, "He wasnât in the mood to hear it at that time.So I didnât tell him."
Carson peered sideways at the closed door and was about to speak when a phone call interrupted him.He checked the caller ID to see who was calling.
It came from one of the companyâs employees.He answered the telephone.
"Everything good?"
Someone on the other end of the phone line said something.
Carsonâs mood deteriorated as a result of this.
"Okay.Iâll be there soon.Until then, we canât talk."
Then, Carson ended the call.
When Carsonâs mood changed, Rachel noticed.
She told him, "You may return first if you need to attend to anything.Iâll first take this gift to Joey."
Carson had meant to speak with Joey after he emerged from the restroom.
But there was something more pressing that prevented him from doing so.He nodded and said, "Please tell him that Iâm glad heâs discharged from the hospital."
"Sure." Carson nodded at Andy.
His back was to the door at this point, as he prepared to exit the ward.He appeared to recall something at the last second.He came to a halt and then turned around.
"Are you returning to Sue Garden, by the way? After I complete my job, I plan to go there.Even if Joey is angry with his own father, he must not bring me into the picture."
"Itâs unlikely that we will return to Sue Garden." Rachelâs eyes clouded as she spoke.
"Why?"
"I stayed in Sue Garden earlier because of Joey.But I donât believe Joey will want to return at this point in time," Rachel said under her breath.
"The Bennet familyâs home has always been vacant.Andy has hired maids to clean the home.Joey and I will stay in there."
The phone rang again as Carson was about to say something.
It was the same employee calling once again.
Carson hung up the phone with a frown on his face.
After a lengthy pause, he inquired, "Did you tell Vic?"
"Not yet.And after Joey leaves the hospital, I wonât return.Carson, just tell him the truth," Rachel said.
Rachel had been invited to Victorâs ward by Lukas from time to time over the past month.
Victor would often inquire about Rachelâs whereabouts when he complained to Lukas of feeling unwell or having a headache.
Finally, Lukas had to ask Rachel to meet Victor.
After a month and a half, Victor still had not recovered his memories, Carson was able to sense that Rachel was adamant, so he opted to be quiet.
He had done all he could, and now the rest was in Godâs hands.
"All right, I appreciate your efforts over the last several days."
His phone rang again as soon as he finished speaking.
Carsonâs phone had already rung three times in the space of a few minutes.
He grinned at Rachel and answered the phone.
After that, he hurriedly exited the ward.
Rachelâs eyes fluttered as she watched Carsonâs back drift away from her.
Some big event was about to happen, she thought.
However, it was just for a little period of time until she calmed down.
The bathroom door swung open.
Joey slid the door open a little.
Rachel and Andy exchanged looks, and then they both grinned helplessly.
Rachel came over.
When Joey heard the sound, he slammed the bathroom door shut for a second time.
Laughing, Rachel approached the door and knocked.
"Come on, Joey.Heâs gone now.Isnât it time for you to go back home? The doctor has been waiting."
In the bathroom, a new noise was heard.
Joey opened the door to the ward after a while and had a peek around.
He waited until he was sure Carson had gone before he came out.
Rachel gave Joey a gentle head massage.
Joey approached the bedside and saw the model on the table.
He bit his bottom lip.
"Iâll toss it away if you donât like it."
Rachel was well-versed in Joeyâs character.She guessed what he was thinking when she saw him standing there.She approached him promptly.
"Donât get rid of it."
Joey, as predicted, grabbed the model right away.
Rachelâs brows furrowed a little.
Joey grasped the model while frowning.
"This model is quite costly.It would be a shame to toss it away."
"Well, then give it to some other kid.What about the boy in the next ward? He can have it."
Rachel acted as though she didnât comprehend Joeyâs hesitancy or uncertainty.
"No," Joey responded.
"But you didnât seem to love it, right? Giving it to another kid isnât a waste." Joey raised an eyebrow at Rachel before blinking.
His mouth moved, but he couldnât utter anything.
Rachel stopped making fun of Joey.
"Let me take care of it.If you wish to play with it, Iâll give it to you.Deal?"
Rather than saying anything, Joey just gave Rachel the model to indicate his agreement.She had no problem reading his body language.
Roger was waiting for them at the entrance of the inpatient department building, as promised.
After seeing Joey and Rachel coming, he took the initiative to approach them, taking Rachelâs bag and placing a hand on Joeyâs head.
"Congratulations, Joey, on your release from the hospital."
"Thanks, Mr.Jimenez."
"Itâs nearly time for lunch.What will you have? Let me first take you for lunch."
After uttering those words, Rogerâs gaze shifted to Rachel.
For the last month and a half, they hadnât seen each other since their conversation outside the ward.
When Roger stared at Rachel, he couldnât help but recall Rachelâs "sorry."He was in anguish.
"I want to eat some seafood." Joey grinned.
"Mr.Jimenez, can you take us out to eat seafood? Iâd love it."
"Seafood? The weather isnât ideal today, and I donât recommend eating cold meals.My buddy has launched a seafood hotpot restaurant, so letâs go there together.How do you like that?"
Roger inquired after he pondered for a moment.
Joey nodded and said, "Mommy, what do think? Please say yes!"
Rachel glanced into Joeyâs eyes and recalled the last thing he had spoken to her.
She nodded while smiling.
"You can get in the car first.I need to go to the bathroom."
"Then Iâll sit in the car with Joey and wait for you," Roger told her.
After a time, Rachel nodded to Roger.
"Sure."
She then turned around and proceeded towards the restroom, as indicated by the sign.
Roger was taken aback when he realized Rachelâs attitude toward him had shifted somewhat.He feared that Rachel would be estranged from him once again.
Joey followed Rogerâs gaze which fell on Rachel.
Then, he glanced aside and questioned, "Mr.Jimenez, what are you staring at?"
"Me? Nothing significant." When Roger regained his composure, he took Joeyâs hand.
"Itâs time to get in the car.According to the indications, Rachel made a turn.She was oblivious to her surroundings until she bumped into someone and their phone dropped to the ground.
"Iâm very sorry."
Rachel offered her apologies right away and was going to pick up the phone for the person.
The guy grinned as he instinctively gripped Rachelâs arm and said, "Donât bother.Youâre a woman; how am I supposed to ask you to pick it up? Plus, you, in particular, are a stunning lady."