Tiana Williams's eyes harbored a firm yet subtle glimmer of determination, a rare trace of tenderness moved across her usually aloof countenance, barely noticeable, as she leaned in close to Luther Holmes and spoke—
"It's a minor surgery, there's no need to be afraid. Just believe that the outcome will be good, and the fear in your heart can be lessened and overcome. I'll be waiting outside for you."
Her tone was exceedingly calm and self-possessed, her composed demeanor inexplicably providing a sense of stability. Luther looked at her, and after several seconds, turned his head away without uttering a word.
He didn't want to show how vulnerable he was in front of her, let alone let the people at home know. It was enough for him to know and bear it alone.
But...
There were no buts...
Growing up, he rarely felt the sensation of being protected. This sister had a straightforward approach to things. After the ordeal they'd just been through, he almost couldn't say 'no' at all. Now, he had no choice but to go through with the surgery first.
As his thoughts drifted, something was suddenly pushed into his hand, and he looked at it subconsciously.
He then realized it was a somewhat weathered Buddha pendant made of wood, unadorned and simple, and he could faintly detect its crisp, cool fragrance.
Noticing where it came from, Luther immediately looked towards her neck, and he saw that the Buddha pendant that she had been wearing had been taken off and was now the one pushed into his hand.
"It's a talisman. It will bring you good luck," Tiana said indifferently.
Luther's expression grew complex as he looked at the Buddha pendant in his hand and handed it back, "I don't need it."
Tiana glanced at him coldly.
Confronted with her piercing, star-like eyes, Luther hesitated, then quietly shut his mouth.
Then, he was wheeled into the operating room.
The lights in the operating room lit up, and Tiana also sat outside quietly waiting.
…
The surgery went very smoothly but still took some time.
When Luther was moved to the intensive care ward, he was still unconscious, his slender face deathly pale without a trace of color. The doctor gave Tiana some post-operative care instructions before leaving.
Tiana then sat by the bed, keeping vigil.
…
The night seemed to be exceptionally long, struggling through the protracted darkness, it was only after a great effort that Luther clung to the first light of dawn, forcing himself to wake up.
The pain was still there, but not like the unbearable internal swelling before; now it was the wound that ached.
Slowly opening his heavy eyelids, the bright light burst forth, and his consciousness began to return. He quickly recalled the previous night's ordeal and immediately began to push himself up slightly, his gaze searching for Tiana's figure…
"You'd better not move, lest you touch the wound. Do you feel better now?"
A cool voice reached him, and Luther lifted his head to see Tiana's startling, stunning face come into view.
She was bringing him a cup of water fitted with a straw, extending it to his lips.
Luther looked at her, his eyes shadowed and murky, and after a while, he attempted to reach out weakly, trying to take it himself, but the straw was already close to his mouth.
He had no choice but to instinctively open his mouth…
The aloof and stubborn youth maintained his tough and distant attitude. Although Tiana might not be able to fully empathize with him, they were siblings, sharing the same mother. Time had passed, and yet their fates were similar. So, at that moment, gazing at the distant and pale youth before her, Tiana couldn't help but be reminded of her own past.
"You'll need to stay in the hospital for a few days. Do you want to tell your father? Or have someone from the Tower Clan come over?"
After a long silence, Tiana finally spoke up, seeking his opinion.
As his words fell, the pallor of the youth's face instantly stiffened, and a barely noticeable gloom darkened his eyes. He gave Tiana Williams a glance and said coldly, "There's no need, if you have things to do, go ahead, don't worry about me, the medical fees I owe you, I'll pay you back later."
Tiana Williams frowned, feeling from his words that he seemed to have a resistance to the Tower Clan.
"You are a minor, staying in the hospital alone; it's not possible to just leave you be."
Tiana Williams replied indifferently.
Luther Holmes scoffed, a hint of sarcasm crossing his handsome face, "Not necessary."
"Do Vincent Holmes and the others treat you badly?"
Staring at him in silence for a few seconds, Tiana Williams suddenly asked this question.
No matter what, Luther Holmes was, after all, the biological son of Vincent Holmes. Tiana Williams thought that, despite everything, he should not be harsh on Luther, and the Old Mistress had always seemed to care a lot about him, hadn't she?
Luther did not answer, only the color in his eyes turned very gloomy, and his mood obviously wasn't too good. His hands were slightly clenched, exuding an aura of indifference.
Tiana Williams naturally would not force him, just as she was about to say something, Luther suddenly spoke up, "There's no need to tell them; even if they knew, they wouldn't... it wouldn't matter. I can manage on my own; I'll be discharged tomorrow."
His indifferent voice was filled with a mocking tone.
Tiana Williams, with her gaze lowered, silently watched the cold and stubborn youth before her, and after a moment, she calmly said, "Listen to the doctor, rest properly in the hospital. I've already asked for leave from your school. Later on, I'll bring you some clothes and necessities. Just focus on getting better until your wounds have healed."
Her cool voice carried an unyielding authority that brooked no refusal.
Luther remained indifferent, but facing Tiana Williams like this, he actually suppressed his urge to resist.
"You can't eat anything now, it's best to just drink some water. Let the doctor come and check on you first."
Tiana Williams straightforwardly ignored his coldness and continued.
Luther's gaze lingered on her face for a moment and eventually, he said with a bit of resignation, "I don't want to stay in the hospital."
"Childish! Hurting yourself is a foolish way of self-torment. If you can't even take care and be sympathetic to yourself, how can you expect anyone else to care for you? You're too weak; no amount of struggling will make a difference if others choose to ignore you. Make yourself strong so that others are forced to take you seriously, and grow into someone no one can afford to overlook."
Tiana Williams glanced at him, replying back coldly and indifferently.
Luther closed his eyes in silence, automatically blocking her out.
"It's good timing that in these few days I can review your studies; you'll be entering your final year of high school soon, and what awaits you is the college entrance exam. From now on, you must focus all your energy on this task."
When Luther heard Tiana Williams say this, he was completely taken aback. His brooding eyes instantly froze, and after staring at Tiana Williams for a long time, a mocking smile squeezed onto his pale face.
"The college entrance exam is someone else's issue, not mine; I don't plan on taking part."
Tiana Williams' brows dropped coldly as she calmly responded, "You don't have a choice. You need to focus on your studies. If you can't take the college entrance exam, you can still try to get in through an exemption based on your abilities. I remember your grades used to be good."
"G University has good resources; good grades can get you sponsorship to study abroad, there are plenty of spots. Upon graduation, you can come back to teach at G University or pursue any other career. You can consider applying to G University Department of Physics; G University welcomes you. Otherwise, you could attend a military academy, or even H Medical University…"
PS: For Professor Williams, passing the top-tier G University was just a minor goal~~~
Professor Williams can be described in one word: composed. She has a bit in common with Oscar Eastwood. I wonder if you've noticed.
Here are my completed works for recommendation:
"When the Stars Shine Bright"
"He Gave Me a Sky Full of Stars"
"Mr. Huo, Let's Get Married"
"Mr. Lu Insists on a Wedding Vow"