[17]

Victoria strode into the kitchen with a confident stride, even though her heart was still in Logan's angry outburst in the room this afternoon. She had promised to pay attention to the man's food since therapy began. So tonight, she decided to cook for herself.

“What's for dinner tonight, Head Chef?” she asked as she tightened her apron.

The Head Chef, a middle-aged man with a friendly face, nodded respectfully before replying, “We have a supply of steak, fresh vegetables, and tuna fillets. You want to use any ingredients, I'll prepare them right away.”

Victoria smiled slightly. “Thank you, Head Chef.”

“I can't really let you cook, but I'm glad Mr. Logan finished his breakfast and lunch today. I'll help you cook whatever you want, Mrs. Victoria.”

“You're overreacting,” Victoria replied as she began selecting ingredients. She chose a quality beef steak, potatoes, fresh mushrooms, and salad ingredients. Carefully, she began to prepare everything, making sure tonight's menu was not only delicious but also healthy for Logan.

Her choice fell on the beef steak with mushroom sauce, cheesy baked potato, and fresh salad with vinaigrette. For dessert, she prepared warm chamomile tea, hoping it would help calm Logan's mind.

When Logan finally appeared in the dining room, his expression remained the same as always-flat and unreadable. Victoria greeted him with a friendly smile, though only a small nod in return.

“Have a seat, dinner's ready,” she said by way of invitation.

Logan sat at the end of the table, saying nothing. Ben stood behind him in an alert manner, nodding politely at Victoria. At the nod, Victoria felt a little relieved - it seemed Logan had calmed down.

Silence fell over them, but Victoria tried to break the ice. “I hope this meal is to your taste. I made the mushroom sauce myself.”

“Hm,” Logan muttered shortly. He began to cut the steak on his plate in slow motion, as if savoring each mouthful.

Victoria watched from her seat, hoping there would be no complaints. Even if there were no compliments, at least Logan ate without protest. That was enough for her.

“I'll pick Abigail up tomorrow after therapy,” she said, trying to start the conversation again.

Logan just nodded without much reaction. “Yeah.”

Victoria took a deep breath, feeling there was no point in continuing the conversation. She decided to enjoy dinner in silence.

“Abigail's room has been prepared by the servants. Ben will show you,” Logan said finally, after finishing the chamomile tea Victoria had prepared. “Thank you for dinner. It wasn't bad. At least I didn't get poisoned from the messy flavor composition.”

Victoria looked at him with a small frown. “I know how to measure seasoning in cooking.”

Logan shrugged lightly. “That's good.” He glanced at Ben and gestured. “Good night.”

Without waiting for a reply, Logan turned the wheel of his wheelchair and went to the study. Ben remained standing where he was, maintaining his usual professional demeanor. Victoria sighed, continuing her almost finished dinner. However, she felt the atmosphere in the room was too quiet.

“I'll show you Abigail's room after you finish dinner,” Ben said, breaking the silence.

Victoria paused for a moment, looking at the man attentively. “You'd better eat dinner too, Ben. Don't just stand there.”

“No, ma'am. I still have work to do after this,” Ben replied politely.

Victoria frowned. “Are you so busy?”

Ben smiled slightly, though his tone remained serious. “The busiest person in this situation is Mr. Logan, Mrs. Victoria.”

That answer made Victoria pause. She knew Ben was right. The burden on Logan's shoulders was not only a matter of health, but also a great responsibility to Dallas Corp. Her heart was suddenly full of sympathy, even though she knew he would never admit his troubles to anyone.

“Alright then. I'll finish my meal quickly.”

Victoria had just finished her dinner when Ben bowed his head politely, awaiting her instructions. Victoria's mind still drifted to the events of this afternoon, when Logan was busy talking on the phone while going through a stack of files. The look on the man's face was one of distress, yet he showed no sign of giving up.

Victoria wiped the corner of her lips with a napkin, making sure no sauce stains remained. “Show me Abigail's room, Ben. I want to see it before I pick her up tomorrow.”

Ben nodded in a calm manner. “Of course, ma'am. Please follow me.”

They stepped into the same corridor as Victoria's room. Ben stopped in front of a door located right next to Victoria's room.

“I deliberately asked the workers in this house to slightly remodel the room next to yours,” Ben explained as he opened the door.

Victoria stepped inside and was immediately stunned. The room was like a little world designed especially for Abigail. A bed with unicorn-print sheets, dolls of various sizes adorning the corners of the room, a small study table with crayons and drawing books neatly arranged. Everything was so perfect.

“This is... Abigail's room?” whispered Victoria, her voice almost drowning in disbelief.

Ben nodded slightly. “It is, ma'am. We hope Abigail likes it.”

Victoria approached the bed, her hand running over the soft sheets that would surely make Abigail feel comfortable. She looked to the other corner of the room, and Ben quickly explained.

“That door,” he said, pointing to a door on the right side, ”connects directly to your room.”

Victoria was silent for a moment. All this... when had Logan thought of something like this? She knew he was busy, but the fact that he noticed little things like this touched her heart.

“Isn't this too much, Ben?” she asked, her voice almost shaking.

“Why is it too much, Mrs. Victoria? It's just a comfortable room for Abigail to use for the time being. If there is anything missing or any special requests, let me know. We will furnish it immediately.”

Victoria shook her head quickly. “No, this is more than enough. Thank you.”

“Yes, ma'am. Then, if you'll excuse me. I still have some work to do. Tomorrow, when you pick up Abigail, the driver will be ready.”

“Thank you, Ben,” Victoria replied, her voice filled with gratitude.

“Good night, ma'am.” Ben bowed his head before stepping out, leaving Victoria alone in the room.

After Ben left, Victoria stood looking at Abigail's room with mixed feelings. She had never imagined any of this. Just having Logan cover Abigail's medical expenses made her feel so lucky. But now? A room full of love like this?

Her hand rubbed the unicorn sheets on the small bed again. “I'll do my best to help Logan get better,” she murmured softly. “As a token of my gratitude.”

Her eyes were teary, but a small smile graced her face. All of this was not only about gratitude, but also about the hope that was slowly growing in her heart.

***

“Abigail's condition is completely stable,” Chris said with a smile that showed his satisfaction with his patient's progress. “As the doctor who treated your daughter from the beginning, I'm very happy to see her progress so far.”

Victoria sat across the consultation table, her hands gripping the edge of the chair tightly. Her eyes began to tear up as she read Abigail's latest examination report.

“Thank you, Chris,” she murmured softly, almost inaudibly.

Chris continued in a cautious tone. “As long as Abigail's condition remains stable, the blood transfusion will not worsen her condition. Treatment can be done at home. However, keep in mind, Abigail still needs a donor.”

Victoria nodded slowly, absorbing every word Chris said. “I understand. Please do what's best for her. I'm sure you know what to do.”

Chris looked at Victoria with a sharper gaze, like he was about to dig into something. “But, Tori-”

Victoria looked up, her eyes meeting Chris' serious gaze. She knew that this conversation wasn't over yet.

“Who's the man paying for all this treatment?” Chris asked in a curious tone. “I was quite surprised to see that all the bills were paid without any problems. Even the surgery that is still waiting for a donor has been paid in advance. Is he... your future husband?”

The question hung in the air, making Victoria pause for a moment. Chris knew more than anyone else about her struggles over the years, including how she often tried to pay for Abigail's medical bills on her own. However, Logan's sudden involvement was difficult to explain.

“He's... my boss,” Victoria finally replied, choosing the words that made the most sense.

Chris raised an eyebrow, clearly dissatisfied with that answer. “Your boss? Really? Why do I get the feeling there's more to it than that?”

Victoria tried to smile, even though her heart was pounding. “Technically, yes, he's my boss. Nothing more.”

Chris let out a long breath, still looking at her with a thoughtful look. “Victoria, I just want to make sure you're okay. If anything goes wrong, you can let me know. I'll help as much as I can.”

Victoria smiled a little, trying to calm Chris' worries. “Thank you, Chris. But I'm fine. Really.”

Chris nodded, though his face still showed signs of doubt. “All right. Then let's go see Abigail. I'm sure she can't wait to get home.”

“You're right.”

They walked together to Abigail's hospital room. Along the corridor, Victoria couldn't help but let her mind drift to dreams of her past. She once imagined herself in a white coat and stethoscope, walking confidently like Chris. But now, it was all just a long-buried wish.

“Mommy!” Abigail's cheerful cry broke her reverie. The little girl ran over to Victoria, hugging her so tightly that she almost lost her balance.

“Uncle Doctor and Aunt Anna said I could go home today! Really?” she asked excitedly.

Victoria smiled, gently stroking her daughter's hair. “That's right, sweetheart. Are you ready to go home?”

Abigail nodded quickly. “I've already packed with Aunt Anna's help!”

“Then don't forget to thank Uncle Doctor and Aunt Anna,” Victoria said, looking at her gently.

Abigail immediately turned to Chris and Aunt Anna, giving them a big smile. “Thank you, Uncle Doctor! Thank you, Aunt Anna!”

Chris chuckled, ruffling Abigail's hair lovingly. “You're a great kid, Abigail. Take good care of yourself at home.”

Before long, they left the hospital. In the lobby, a black car with a private driver was waiting. Chris looked at the scene with raised eyebrows. The car looked too luxurious, and the driver even got out to open the door for Victoria.

“Victoria,” Chris called softly, as if he wanted to ask further questions. However, the woman only turned her head and gave a small smile before getting into the car with Abigail. “I hope you're okay.” Chris waved a hand. Signaling them to part ways for the time being.

Chris didn't expect to see Abby anytime soon. Instead, he hoped that Abby's condition would improve day by day.

Meanwhile, in the car, Abigail leaned comfortably against Victoria. However, the enthusiasm that had been visible earlier had now disappeared, replaced by a quieter tone of voice.

“Mommy...” she whispered.

“Yes, dear?” replied Victoria softly, looking at her daughter with rapt attention.

“Are we going back to Grandma Ella's?” she asked hesitantly. “I don't want to go back there. Grandma Ella is mean. Aunt Lucy too. They don't like me. They hate me.”

Victoria took a deep breath, rubbing Abigail's head lovingly. “No, sweetheart. We're not going back there.”

“Where then?” Abigail looked up at her mother with expectant eyes.

Before Victoria could answer Abigail's question, the ringing of her cell phone broke the silence. She reached into her bag quickly, in case the call was important. Logan's name appeared on the screen, making her forehead wrinkle in surprise. She remembered that from the morning until the end of the therapy process, she hadn't done anything wrong that might make him call her.

“Yes, sir?” said Victoria in a careful tone, making sure to keep her voice calm.

“Did you pick up Abigail?” Logan asked matter-of-factly, as always.

“I did, sir. I'm on my way home,” she replied, glancing at Abigail who was leaning weakly in her arms.

“Have Hendy take you to the Mushroom Café,” Logan ordered in a short, non-negotiable tone.

Victoria blinked, feeling confused. “But, sir... what am I going there for? I don't have anything to do there.”

“Lunch. What else?” Logan's voice sounded firm, as if the answer was the most sensible thing in the world.

“But I already-”

“You haven't had lunch yet, Victoria,” Logan cut in with a harder tone. “I'm sure your son hasn't either. Never mind, there's no need to ask so many questions. I'll see you around.”

The call cut off before Victoria could argue further. She stared at the phone screen with a look of disbelief, while Abigail gave her a questioning look.

Why did Logan's mood change so quickly?