Chapter 313 I Won't Mind These
As they strolled into the clinic, Hollis was there, half her shoulder peeking out, wrapped up in a mess of bandages. Alice and Catherine were right beside her, eyes glued to the doc. "Doc, how bad is Hollis's injury? Is it serious?"
The doc shot a look at Donovan by the door, then turned back to the ladies. "Ms. Sutton's injury isn't too bad. She's got a broken arm that'll need some time to heal. Plus, her shoulder's got some nasty scrapes. The area is pretty big, and a few of the cuts are deep, so yeah, scarring is likely."
Everyone was floored by his words. Alice was the first to snap out of it, staring at the bandages on Hollis's shoulder like she couldn't believe it. "Is it really that bad?"
The doc nodded.
Hollis sat there, looking all calm, but inside she was fuming. She had planned to milk the injury for sympathy, but she didn't think she'd get hurt this bad. The doc had already told her during the check-up, and she'd seen the wounds before they got bandaged. It was a real shocker.
But what's done is done, and she couldn't undo the injury. She just wished the doc hadn't bandaged her up so soon. If Catherine had seen the wounds, her guilt would be off the charts!
Even without seeing it, Catherine's guilt spiked after hearing the doc. "Isn't there any way to avoid scarring? No matter the cost!"
The doc hesitated. "There is, but Ms. Sutton will have to endure some pain."
"What way?" Alice jumped in.
The doc said, "Once the wounds heal, we can do a skin graft surgery. I can recommend a hospital where the scars will be almost invisible."
Alice's mood shifted. "What's the point? Even if she gets the surgery, it only covers the shoulder. The grafted skin will still have scars. Hollis was fine before, and now she'll have a big scar."
As Alice's words went off the rails, Hollis frowned and quickly cut in, "Mom, it's just a few scars. It's not on my face. I'll just wear fewer off-shoulder clothes." She glanced at Catherine, sensing her guilt.
Catherine, moved by Hollis's attitude, felt even guiltier. "Hollis got hurt protecting me. Don't worry, I'll take responsibility."
Alice caught Hollis's unspoken worry, her face softening with sorrow. "It's not just the scars. With such a noticeable scar, people will definitely notice. She is no longer young; I'm afraid it will affect her dating." Alice's eyes started to redden.
Hollis felt a bit relieved as her mother caught on the purpose of her arrangement and pretended to comfort Alice lightly, "Don't worry. Someone who truly likes me won't mind these things, just like I..." Her eyes drifted to Catherine, a hint of bitterness showing.
The unspoken words hung in the air. Just like she'd had feelings for Donovan for years, even though he never put her first.
Catherine, deeply moved, turned to Donovan and said earnestly, "Hollis got hurt because of me. You need to take good care of her for me, as a way to repay her for saving my life."
