Don't Raise Your Expectations Too Soon

"Are you hurt?" Evelyn rushed to Alexander's side, her face clouded with anxiety. After a brief pause, she asked, her voice laced with confusion, "Did that cause you pain? Can you actually feel something in your foot?"

Alexander's heart gave a sudden lurch. He realized he had inadvertently betrayed a secret he was meant to keep.

Evelyn's step hadn't been particularly heavy. But in a spontaneous moment, he had chosen to tease her, momentarily forgetting his carefully maintained facade of paralysis.

He frowned slightly, his mind racing for a plausible explanation.

Should he confess the truth now? Revealing it would only place Evelyn in greater danger.

Oblivious to his internal conflict, Evelyn saw his troubled expression and a sudden realization dawned on her. Her face brightened with excitement. "You felt that! Does this mean there's a possibility your legs could heal?"

She beamed, grabbing his hands with earnest hope. "Alexander, it seems like you might be regaining some sensation!"

Evelyn didn't dwell on it further. She simply assumed Alexander was as startled by the unexpected feeling as she was.

After all, he had lived with his disability for many years. The desire to walk again must be a constant ache.

Alexander looked at the pure, unadulterated joy on her face, and his emotions became intensely complicated.

He knew her happiness stemmed entirely from her genuine concern for him.

Yet, with so many pressing threats unresolved, he had no choice but to maintain the deception.

Pressing his lips together, he regained his composure and offered a faint smile. "It was just a fleeting sensation. Don't raise your expectations too soon. My doctor once mentioned a chance of recovery, but it's been nearly a decade without significant progress. I've learned not to hope for too much."

Evelyn's smile softened, and she said gently, "I understand."

A wave of sympathy washed over her, but she knew the emotional burden of this hope and disappointment weighed far heavier on him.

She decided to change the subject, not wanting to cause him further distress. Forcing a brighter tone, she said, "It's alright. You should go ahead with your work."

Alexander nodded in acknowledgment, bid her goodbye, and with his assistant's help, settled into the car before it drove away swiftly.

Watching the car disappear, a tiny spark of hope ignited anew in Evelyn's heart.

Perhaps, one day, Alexander would indeed stand on his own feet again.

Driven by this thought, she resolved to find Alexander's doctor and learn more about his specific condition.

Without delay, she returned to Serenity Oaks and asked Samuel for the doctor's contact information and location.

To her surprise, she discovered the physician treating Alexander's legs was Dr. Benjamin Carter—the same doctor she had met during her previous hospital stay.

She quickly gathered her things, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the hospital.

However, as she entered the hospital doors, a middle-aged woman came rushing towards her, resulting in a harsh collision.

Evelyn cried out in pain and looked up to see the woman sprawled on the floor.

Ignoring her own discomfort, she hurried to help the woman. "I'm so sorry!" she explained urgently. "I truly didn't see you. Are you hurt?"

"Oh, for heaven's sake! What wretched luck!" The middle-aged woman, her face pale and sickly, scowled with displeasure. Then, unleashing a stream of curses, she shrieked, "Are you blind? What is wrong with you?"

Still muttering angrily, she unceremoniously used Evelyn's arm to haul herself upright.

"Honestly, you..." The woman's tirade cut off abruptly as her eyes met Evelyn's. "You?!" she gasped, her voice filled with sheer disbelief.

Evelyn was momentarily stunned, noticing a distinct flash of fear in the woman's eyes.