Chapter 11
After leaving the police station, Courtney’s phone rang.
The sound startled her she hadn’t touched a phone in five years and had nearly forgotten that Hayden had bought her one.
Holding the phone in her hand, Courtney felt dazed.
She now knew that Hayden was a police officer, and she wondered if he would hate her for leaving him bleeding on that battlefield, choosing to escape alone.
“What took you so long to answer!” Hayden’s voice came through the line.
“Did I scare you?” he asked softly. “Once I’ve recovered, I’ll come find you. I’ve set up a WhatsApp account for you using your number. Try logging in the password is your birthday”
Courtney stood frozen, her fists clenched tightly.
Knowing she wouldn’t respond. Hayden continued speaking, undeterred. “I’ve transferred 20 thousand dollars to you.”
Hearing her breathing quicken, Hayden spoke again. “That’s all I’ve got. Consider it a loan–you can pay me back when you have the money
Courtney’s fingers tightened around the phone. Just as she was about to hang up, Hayden added, “Buy yourself whatever you want.”
He sounded like a chatterbox, completely at odds with the impatient voice of Tyson in the background. Hayden carried on regardless. “Remember what I told you–don’t trust anyone at the hospital. Did you hear me? If you did, snap your fingers,”
Courtney didn’t move. She quietly ended the call
She stared down at the phone, unable to understand the meaning behind Hayden’s actions.
Back in Wejdan, she had abandoned him, left him to die. Just now, she had called the police on him
She had shown nothing but hostility toward Hayden, yet he seemed entirely unfazed, as if none of it mattered.
Courtney was confused by him.
The next morning Courtney headed to Henisburg General Hospital, where her mentor, Robert Anderson, and senior colleague, Lorraine Evans, were waiting for her at the entrance.
On the day Courtney returned to the country, they had both given her their contact information. After she got a phone, she reached out to them. “Courney, Robert said, looking at her with a heartbroken expression. It was clear that they had already heard about Austin’s remarriage. After all, they all worked at the same hospital
Lorraine’s face was dark with anger. “Courtney, don’t t be so soft. And don’t try to stop me–I’m going to tear that bitch apart!”
Courtney’s eyes reddened, but she forced a smile.
Robert, who had a limp from an old injury in Weidan, gazed at her with deep sympathy. “Courtney, I also heard about your parents…”
Robert had been childhood friends with Courtney’s father and was also her teacher. Their families were close. As he spoke, his voice began to choke with emotion
During the five years in Weidan, Robert had come to see Courtney as his own daugluer. The news of her parents passing hit him hard; he hadn’t slept all night, and his hair seemed visibly grayer.
Lorraine, 100, turned away, her eyes red.
Lorraine was someone who wore her emotions on her sleeve. Back in Weidan, she had been the one who looked after Courtney the most. Their team had consisted of six people–Mark lud died, and only five had made it back.
“Robert, if it weren’t for Courtney, we wouldn’t have come back alive, Lorraine said in a hoarse voice. “She saved all of us”
As she spoke, Lorraine began to cry. “From now on, we’re Courtney’s
fandly”
Robert
nodded, his eyes wet with tears. “Yes Courtney, from now on, we’re your family.
1/2
2/2
Chapter II
Courtney stood there, numb, staring down at the ground as tears fell silently.
“Robert, you’re all here. The other team members had arrived, their faces grim. “This time, the hospital has to give us an explanation! We were injured in the line of duty–this is a workplace injury, and they must compensate us.”
“That’s right! They owe us compensation for all five years of losses, especially the mental anguish Outside the director’s office building, the team members were visibly agitated.
After such a traumatic experience–being declared missing for five years–the impact on their families and personal lives was immense.
“Courtney “Lorraine gently held Courtney’s hand, her voice soft as she tried to comfort her. “Stop blaming yourself for Mark’s death. Even if we could go back, he’d still choose to save you”
“You need to let it go. Not speaking up p will only hurt you more in the long run, she sighed deeply, already imagining the challenges Courtney
would face because of her silence.
“Give me back my son!” At the entrance of the hall, Mark’s parents were crying
The entire team had made it back, except for Mark. He would never return.
Courtney stood frozen in place, her entire body stiff. Her hands clenched into tight fists.
If Mark had let her die back then, he might have made it back alive.
James Lewis! Give me back my son!” Mark’s mother wailed, clutching a framed photo of her son.
“What’s all the fuss about? The peacekeeping mission was arranged by higher–ups, and you all volunteered for it. So stop playing the victims now,” Vera stepped out of the elevator, her expression dark. “No one died expect Mark; he must have done something stupid”
“Vera, how could you say such a thing? You’re a monster!” Lorraine snapped and lunged at Vera, but the others quickly held hier back.
Vera snorted dismissively. The compensation plan will be announced soon. And let’s not forget, this might even help you all get promotions. You want money, right? Let’s just sit down and talk it out. There’s no need for all this drama.
The sharp sound of a slap echoed throughout the hall. Everyone, including Lorraine, was stunned. It was Courtney who had stepped forward and struck Vera across the face.
SEND GIFT
