Once they arrived at the rehab center, Winifred wheeled Louisa into the therapy room. The room was bright, lined with parallel bars, therapy mats, and strange-looking machines that immediately caught Louisa's attention.
A dull lump formed in Louisa's throat as her pulse drummed violently at the sight.
"Am I really going to use all these?" Louisa asked, lifting a dread-filled gaze to Winifred.
Winifred offered her a confident grin. "It looks kind of heavy and overwhelming, right? But don't be scared, it won't hurt you. They're made to help you. All you have to do is trust them too. Think of them as a new hobby you're learning."
Nodding slowly, Louisa took a deep shaky breath. "Okay. I'll take it easy on myself with them because I'm trying out a new hobby."
She forced herself to square her shoulders while Winifred stepped in front of her.
Clasping her hands, Winifred said, "Today, we're starting with the basics."
Louisa's brows tightened. "Basics?"
"Yes. Before we talk about walking, we need to wake your muscles up again." Winifred's gaze dropped to Louisa's legs.
Then she guided Louisa onto a padded therapy bed. Louisa settled onto the soft surface with care, gripping the edge.
"First, ankle pumps. Try to move your feet up and down," Winifred instructed calmly as Louisa did as she was told.
Louisa stared at her legs with silent hatred. For a moment, nothing happened.
But with a face twisted in pain as it shot through her muscles, she forced herself to continue even when her legs trembled with dread that clung to her completely.
Until… a slight twitch appeared after several gnawing minutes.
Her breath caught, eyes widening.
"My legs!"
"I saw that," Winifred said quickly, her voice lighting with encouragement. "Keep going. Remember, there are people still waiting to repay their debts."
Louisa clenched her jaw and focused harder. This time, her right foot moved just a fraction.
A fragile spark flickered in her eyes.
"Good. Now tighten your thigh muscles. Imagine pushing your knees downward."
Louisa obeyed, her fingers gripping the edge of the mat. The muscles trembled weakly beneath the hospital gown.
Sweat gathered at her temples, dripping down her spine after only a few repetitions.
Winifred nodded. "That's enough for today's activation. Now let's work on your core."
With careful support, she helped Louisa sit upright without the wheelchair backrest. Louisa's face soured as she clung to Winifred like a lifeline.
The moment Winifred loosened her hold, Louisa's body tilted dangerously. Her breath caught sharply as she instinctively tried to correct herself.
"That's it," Winifred encouraged with a soft smile, noticing Louisa's unwavering determination. "Your spine needs to relearn balance too. Hold yourself steady."
Louisa gritted her teeth, her abdominal muscles straining as she forced herself upright. Seconds felt like hours while her body shook. But she stayed—for herself and the fragile life waiting to be protected.
After a short rest, Winifred carefully brought her between the parallel bars.
Louisa's pulse spiked. "I can't."
"You won't be doing this alone."
Winifred secured a support belt around her waist and gently helped her push upward.
Louisa's legs trembled violently the instant her feet touched the floor with weight. Her nails dug into the bars.
For the first time in weeks, she was standing. Not fully on her own. Not steadily.
But she was standing.
Tears burned her eyes as disbelief washed over her, bubbling into hope.
While helping Louisa settle carefully back into the wheelchair, Winifred's voice softened. "This is where your miracle begins, Louisa. One muscle, one step, one day at a time."
"One step. One day at a time," Louisa echoed, rubbing her hands gently over her aching legs.
Watching her patient with interest, Winifred couldn't help but wonder how such a young woman had ended up this way. Instead of asking, she pressed her lips into a thin line, knowing Louisa still looked detached.
She didn't want to ruin the woman's fragile happy mood.
Quietly, Winifred wheeled Louisa out of the session room until they emerged into the hospital's large compound, moving along the narrow paths decorated with fresh, well-trimmed shrubs on both sides.
Winifred led the way into the hospital garden and gently settled Louisa beneath a tree whose beautiful shade shielded them from the scorching sun. The cool breeze lingered beneath it, doing a little to ease the turmoil inside Louisa.
Letting out a deep breath after the tiring session, Winifred offered, "Let me get you something refreshing. The weather is damn hot already."
"Okay. I think I'd need that," Louisa said reluctantly.
"I'll be right back." Winifred turned away.
While Louisa stayed alone in the garden, with other patients gathered at the far end, her thoughts drifted once again. She was curious about what had been happening with the scandal during her comatose—if her father or anyone else had said a word about her innocence.
Or maybe… they had chosen to abandon her completely?
Exhaling sharply, Louisa snapped her gaze toward the entrance door that had just slid open. Winifred entered with two cups of chilled drinks in a carrier while holding a white envelope.
Approaching her, Winifred said, "On my way back from the cafeteria, I bumped into an elderly woman who wanted to give this to you."
She stopped in front of her, handing over the envelope.
"Who is it?" Louisa asked, lifting a hesitant hand before accepting it.
"She looked guilty. And she said her name is… Madison Asher."
"Mom?" Louisa mumbled instinctively, her sharp gaze darting around in search. She expected to see Madison, but there was no trace of her.
With her shoulders slumped, Louisa opened the envelope and slipped out the items inside. It contained visa papers already prepared, a cheque for six hundred thousand, and a letter.
She unfolded the letter and read.
[Louisa, my lovely dear. I'm sorry that I failed as a mother who couldn't even persuade your father against making this decision. I know it'll be difficult for you to live in Mist City, but I still can't come with you or visit.
In all my helplessness, this money is the only thing I can offer for your survival from my savings, since your father froze your accounts. I hope that when we meet again, you'll be back to normal and won't forget us. Take care, and don't forget that I love you. Even your dad does too. Just bear with him until this dies down.]
Reading this, Louisa's hands trembled. She could even notice the faint traces of strain on the paper. She could tell Madison must have cried her eyes out while writing it.
More importantly, did this mean her mother didn't know about Jethro and Jasmine's secret affair? The pregnancy? As well as what happened in the villa?
Her expression hardened at the thought, wondering how long those two shameless people had been involved behind her back.
Folding the paper back, Louisa was about to slip it into the envelope when Winifred suddenly burst out.
"Mist City?! Who the hell is sending you to that place? Do they want your recovery to slow down? I'm not accepting this, Louisa. Tell me who your guardian is. Is that woman your mom? I want to speak to her."
"There's no need for that," Louisa muttered, turning her head to the latter. "Seeing how outraged you are, I can tell you haven't seen the news about me."
The words made Winifred's face light up with intrigue as she sat beside Louisa on the bench.
"What news?" she pressed softly, offering Louisa one of the chilled McDonald's drinks, which Louisa collected.
"That I'm a slut who cheated on my fiancé," she blurted without a hint of shame, because there was nothing to cower over in something she never intentionally did.
Winifred gasped, then quickly composed herself. "That's serious. I rarely have time for the internet, TV, or things like that because I'm more focused on my work. But… did you actually do it?"
"I was framed. And on the same night, I discovered that my fiancé—my first love—never even loved me," she whispered, her fingers instinctively tightening around the cold plastic surface of her drink, as if it mirrored her shattered, frozen heart. "His heart beats for someone else. The least I expected."
"Ahh… sounds like an ugly scumbag who's been cheating behind your back. Don't be saddened because of him. He doesn't deserve it." Winifred growled, her eyes blazing with indignation as she planted a hand on her hip. "And if he dares to make fun of you in this situation, leave it to me. I'll beat the hell out of him."
Winifred threw a fist into the air with a puff. "Why are there so many scums in this world? Do I need to invent something that would eliminate them all and leave the loving ones here?"
A short snicker slipped out of Louisa before she realized it.
Winifred blinked, caught off guard.
"Oh my! You just smiled," she teased.
Louisa blinked hard too, stunned at herself. Did she really smile? she wondered, knowing she had rarely ever allowed her teeth to show—especially to strangers—except when her acting profession demanded it, since she had been raised strictly as an heiress who was never allowed to show vulnerability.
Straightening her spine, she forced a neutral expression. "I… I was just surprised that you'd talk this much. Get empathetic and furious over a stranger's matter."
"Louisa, you're not a stranger to me anymore. You're my patient now, and if you'd like, we can get along as friends too."
"Friends?" Louisa repeated.
Winifred nodded. "You don't want that?"
"No. That's not what I meant," she said quickly, clearing the misunderstanding. "I mean… I haven't thought of making friends because I had someone who was once my best friend and sister."
"Another strained relationship," Winifred mumbled, beginning to understand why they were sending Louisa away.
"Also, because of my unruly behavior, no one wants to be friends with me." Louisa added.
"We can give each other a try."
"Okay,"
"So, you won't go to Mist City."
"I don't have much money except what my mother gave me. The hospital expenses, meals, and other survival needs…"
"I'll handle that. I'm coming with you to a better country where you can get the best treatment too."
"Sounds like a good idea," Louisa mumbled, taking a sip of her drink.
Winifred sighed softly again, staring at the chirping birds in the bright sky.
"When are we flying like that?" she asked, pointing.
"Like how?" Louisa asked, puzzled.
"If only we had feathers like the birds in the sky to travel overseas without spending a dime."
"What a wild imagination," Louisa muttered, eyeing Winifred.
"I know, right?" Winifred chuckled, bringing her drink to her lips as she took a slow sip. "That's how people see me. Wild, unrealistic, and repulsive."
Louisa caught the sting in Winifred's voice and couldn't help but grow curious about her despite trying to stay guarded.
"We can leave the country when I'm a little better," she said finally, drifting her gaze away.