Chapter 468 Daughter
As I crouched down, my knees popped a bit, a reminder of the exhaustion from days of running around.
My palm touched Skylar's thin shoulder, and it surprisingly calmed me down. I looked straight into her eyes.
"Remember, except for Melissa, don't talk to anyone else."
As I spoke, my fingers unconsciously rubbed at the stain on Skylar's collar, where a bit of cream had just left a mark.
Tears clung to Skylar's eyelashes, and her small hands clutched tightly at the hem of my suit, wrinkling the fabric.
"Mom, you lied! You said you were working late last week, but you didn't come home for three days!"
Skylar's tearful voice made my throat tighten.
I quickly pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped her cheeks.
I kissed the top of Skylar's head, smelling the mix of mint candy and milk in her hair.
"This time is different. Once Mom takes care of the bad guys, I'll make you a delicious pumpkin pie, just like Dad taught you, with the sauce swirling in the pan."
Skylar sniffled and finally nodded. Watching her bite her lip to hold back tears, she looked just like Edward when he faced difficulties.
I stood up, smoothing my skirt, and looked seriously at Melissa.
"Please take Skylar home. Be careful on the way, keep the location sharing on, and call the police if anything happens."
The fluorescent lights in the hallway cast a glow on Melissa's head, highlighting the new gray hairs at her temples. She was just a housekeeper, but she had managed the household affairs flawlessly for years.
Melissa gently pressed my arm, the warmth of her palm seeping through my sleeve.
"You be careful too. Contact me anytime if you need anything. The hospital is full of all kinds of people, so be very cautious."
Her eyes, lined with fine wrinkles, were full of worry. She then pulled out a thermos from her bag.
"I know you get too busy to eat. This is porridge I made this morning, still warm."
I unzipped my bag and took out a gift I had prepared. It was a pink children's phone, with only my and Edward's numbers in the contact list.
"No matter how late it is, you can always reach Mom."
I handed the phone to Skylar. Her fingers gently stroked the cartoon stickers on the phone case, and her face lit up with a bright smile. Kids' emotions change so quickly, joy coming without warning.
Watching Skylar and Melissa walk away, I took a deep breath and turned towards the hospital room. The hallway was unusually quiet, and the sound of my high heels echoed clearly, matching the rhythm of my racing heartbeat.
Pushing open the door, Edward looked at me nervously, his eyes full of unease.
Skylar suddenly peeked her head in from the doorway, the bear charm on her backpack jingling. I quickly blocked her view and met Daryl's knowing gaze.
"Your daughter is adorable."
Daryl's pen paused on the blank page,
"I heard she loves strawberry cake?"
Edward's pupils contracted sharply, and cold sweat soaked through his hospital gown. Jeffrey had threatened to harm Skylar, and this comment felt like a poisonous sting, hitting his most vulnerable nerve.
I coaxed Skylar away, nodded slightly to Edward to indicate that everything was temporarily fine, and then turned my attention to Daryl sitting nearby.
"Daryl, I think I can explain the situation you need to know."
I walked to Edward's bedside, gently holding his cold hand, trying to soothe his tense nerves.
Daryl closed his notebook, looking at us with deep eyes.
"I hope you can be honest. This concerns the progress of the case and your safety."
Just then, a screeching brake sound came from outside the window. Reflexively, I looked out to see a black sedan screeching to a halt at the hospital entrance. The doors opened, and three burly men wearing sunglasses got out. They scanned the area quickly, one of them revealing a suspicious bulge under his suit. My heart sank, realizing the situation was far more complicated than I had imagined.
Daryl also sensed the anomaly, quickly moving to the window, his hand casually resting on his holstered gun, his voice low.
"It seems your trouble is quite significant."
He turned back, his expression even more serious, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.
Edward gripped my hand tightly, his voice noticeably anxious.
"It must be Jeffrey's men. They won't let us go easily."
Daryl immediately pulled out his radio, speaking rapidly.
"Attention, field team. There's a suspicious black sedan at the hospital's side entrance, license plate... Track it immediately. Also, send two teams, one to Diana's residence for protection, and another to search for Skylar and the housekeeper. Ensure their safety and maintain radio contact at all times."
Daryl turned to us, his expression as grave as a winter frost.
"Stay in this room. I've arranged for officers to guard the door. The entire state investigation system is focused on this case. There are three layers of plainclothes officers around the hospital, even the janitors are our people. The action team will immediately move to secure your housekeeper and child, ensuring their safety."
Daryl quickly walked to the door, pulling a young officer aside, speaking in a low voice.
"Guard this room with your life. Even if the hospital director comes, get approval before letting anyone in."
As Daryl turned, his holstered gun clinked softly against his belt buckle, and he swiftly disappeared around the hallway corner.
Outside, the black sedan continued to circle the hospital slowly, the vibrations from the speed bumps faintly reaching the room.
Edward's nails dug deeply into the back of my hand, his palm clammy with sweat. I realized Edward might be about to have a seizure. His temple throbbed, and a suppressed whimper escaped his throat as he suddenly began to breathe heavily.
"Why aren't they here yet? What if those men..."
Before he could finish, Edward suddenly shook my shoulders violently, gasping like a drowning man.
I hurriedly pressed his trembling hand, feeling the raised old scars on his wrist, remnants of his severe depression. "Edward, deep breaths, follow my breathing."
I mimicked the method taught by the psychologist, but Edward shook off my arm.
I struggled to break free from his grip, but he flung me against the bedside table, shattering the glass of water.
"Help! Someone, help!"
I shouted towards the door, fumbling to press the call button on the bedside.
Within seconds, the duty nurse burst in, seeing Edward's contorted face and the mess on the floor. She immediately ran to the hallway, calling out.
"Room 307 needs a sedative!"
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