Brenda met the doctor’s gaze without looking away. “Understood, doctor.”
For the next half hour, Brenda remained beside the bed reading a story to Chloe, carefully arranging her blankets, and speaking enthusiastically about the decorated bedroom waiting at home. “When you finally come home, you’ll sleep surrounded by colorful unicorns because your dad and I want everything to be absolutely perfect for you.”
Chloe remained completely quiet and gave no response to her words.
Before leaving the room, Brenda glanced toward the damaged flowerpot on the windowsill for only a fraction of a second, and Rosalyn noticed that her cheerful expression disappeared immediately.
The following afternoon, Brenda returned to the hospital carrying a noticeably smaller leather handbag. She entered room four at exactly seven minutes past four.
Rosalyn waited beside the central nursing station while her mobile phone vibrated once inside her pocket, indicating that Raymond was observing the authorized live camera feed.
