41. Let's Go Home

As the nurse who accompanied her took out the entire contents of the paper bag, Ashley finally understood why Jason's driver had said all those things earlier. The change of clothes contained not only tops and bottoms, but also sets of underwear. The most likely possibility was that the man might have watched as the store clerk selected these items for her. Therefore, he must have known that the clerk included underwear in the shopping list as well. And apparently, because he didn’t want Ashley to think anything or get the wrong idea, he finally tried to explain with various words that sounded very ambiguous.

“I think I'll just change my outerwear,” Ashley said to the nurse.

Aside from the fact that it would be too much trouble for her, and even though she herself felt an uncomfortable sensation from the red wine liquid that splashed and soaked deeply into her skin, just changing her underwear still wouldn't get rid of the sticky feeling. She would still have to shower, clean herself, and change again later when she got home.

After a while through the hardships and pain she had to endure, Ashley finished getting dressed and put away her clothes that were dirty from the mixture of many things—red wine liquid, blood, and dirt from the street. What was once a pair of ripped material pants and a fitted white T-shirt, now has been replaced with an oversized pink T-shirt and a loose skirt above-the-knee.

“When at home, you have to be very careful when dressing. Try not to let the wound rub against the fabric. I recommend wearing loose-fitting clothes like this.”

Ashley smiled and agreed to the nurse's advice. “Alright.”

Once everything was tidied up, the nurse escorted her back to the emergency room, to the section where Ashley was treated.

Jason, who had been chatting with the old woman who was still lying down, noticed Ashley's presence and quickly took over the wheelchair from the nurse. He thanked the nurse for her help and pushed Ashley closer until she was next to the old woman who called out to them in a weak and trembling voice.

“Thank you, young lady. You helped me. If it wasn't because of you, I don't know what would have happened to me,” she said with a deeply furrowed forehead and many sighs that were repeatedly heard in between her sentences. It was obvious that her condition was still affected by the remnants of shock and regret. “If only I hadn't chased those boys...”

“It's okay, Grandma. I should be the one apologizing to you, because I wasn't good at making a stance. Instead, I caused you to fall,” Ashley knew it wasn't her fault, but she could have done better to further minimize the risk of what happened next. So that the old woman wouldn't have to be so shocked that her blood pressure would rise like this or have injuries on her body. “How are you feeling now? Does your wound still hurt? What about your heart?”

Seeing that she was probably more than three-quarters of a century old, Ashley felt worried in case something happened to the woman.

But the old woman shook her head quickly. “No, I'm not. I've been much better after resting. My wounds are only a few, but look at you,” the woman pointed at Ashley's hands and feet that were covered in scratches, ”you're so much worse than me. Your nice skin became like that because of me. Oh my Goodness... How can a body as small as yours try to hold up a body as big as mine.” Her head shook with guilt.

She continued again, “This is all my fault. My fault! I shouldn't have carelessly run across the road like that. I should have been more careful. Now I don't know how to make up for it. I've caused trouble to so many people.”

“No, Grandma. I'm fine, really. You shouldn’t think like that,” Ashley reached out her hand to cup the woman's hand that had been freed from the IV.

Jason, not wanting the two women in front of him to blame each other, tried to step into the conversation to mediate. “The doctor has done the last examination. Grandma's condition is good. Her blood pressure is okay and her heart is back to normal. Just like you, the only thing that needs attention is the skin scratches.” This was his best attempt to calm Ashley down so that she wouldn't feel even more guilty.

“And, Grandma,” Jason turned to look at the old woman earnestly, ”it's not your fault. From what happened, the only ones who deserve the blame are those brats. So right now, you better focus on your recovery.”

“Oh, and your bag,” Ashley spoke up after realizing that the main reason why this accident happened had been overlooked, ”Your bag... that was taken by those boys—do you remember what was in it?”

Clearly, it must have contained something valuable. Because otherwise, there was no way that the old woman would disregard her own safety and choose to run back and forth after the boy who had stolen it.

“Maybe we can call the police to get it back,” Ashley tries to provide a solution.

“That's...” the old woman's face looked even sadder, ”my savings. I actually intended to go buy a birthday cake for my grandson. But—”

Ashley spontaneously glanced at Jason who was next to her with a furrowed forehead and a chest filled with heartbreaking feelings.

“That poor kid must be confused right now waiting for me to get home late.”

“Grandma,” Jason said, ”after this we can go straight to your home. I'll drive you home immediately, so your grandson won't worry, okay? And, we are now at Hana Hospital, near the scene of the incident. Perhaps, do you know the direction where you live from this location?”

“Hana Hospital?” the old woman immediately nodded, ”it's quite far, but I know the direction.”

“Then I'll find the nurse and ask for a favor to take you two ahead,” Jason turned his gaze to Ashley, ”Wait here for a moment. I'll tell my driver to get the car ready right away.”

Ashley nodded.

And Jason disappeared looking for Mr. Kwak who might still be in the administration department to take care of the payment.