Over at the hospital, Benjamin was wheeled into the emergency room.
It was a case of when it rains, it pours.
Natasha sat on a bench by the door in silence. Although she appeared completely fine, her trembling hands betrayed her.
Seeing that, Kenneth walked over and sat next to her. Then he placed his hand over her slightly quivering ones.
She looked up at him.
“Benjamin will be fine,” he said.
Gazing at him, she smiled. “Mm, I know.”
At that moment, Denise turned to Anthony with reddened eyes and asked, “Tony, Ben will be okay, right?”
Anthony returned to his senses and glanced at her before replying, “Of course. He's strong, so he's definitely going to be fine!”
Denise seemed to gain a renewed sense of hope upon hearing that. She fixed her eyes on the doors to the emergency room and prayed silently. You have to be okay, Ben...
Just then, the doors opened, and the doctor walked out.
They sprang to their feet immediately when they saw the doctor.
“Doctor, how's my son?” Kenneth enquired at once.
The doctor took off her surgical mask as she gazed at Kenneth. “The child's left arm was found to be fractured. After checking his left arm, I noticed several abrasions. By the looks of how the injuries are healing, he must've sustained them a few days ago. He's in shock now. If he'd been brought in any later, he would have been in critical condition.”
Kenneth's heart skipped a beat when he heard that. Then, he looked at the doctor and echoed questioningly, “Fractured?”
“That's right. It looks like it happened at least two or three days ago. I've no idea how the child managed to endure that, but you don't have to worry. Fortunately, he got sent to the hospital in time and should be okay,” the doctor replied.
Despite not knowing what had happened, Kenneth was relieved to hear that Benjamin was not in any danger.
“Okay. Thank you very much.”
“Don't mention it, Mr. Hamilton. If there's anything, feel free to let me know,” the doctor responded.
Kenneth nodded. Then, the doctor put her mask back on and turned to go back into the emergency room.
“Fractured...” Anthony murmured as he gazed at Natasha.
Natasha also glanced at him. It was evident that something had occurred to both of them.
I was so preoccupied with Denise over the past couple of days that I had completely forgotten about Benjamin's fall...
When Kenneth turned to look at Natasha, she turned away immediately.
He could tell that she was filled with remorse.
Then, he turned toward Anthony, who said, “During our search for Denise at the foot of the mountain, we were coming out of a cave when Benjamin accidentally fell... It must've been then, but he never said anything. We didn't think much of it because we were in a panic searching for Denise. I didn't think it would turn out like this...”
As the boy spoke, he was also racked with guilt.
After finding Denise, we should've gotten a doctor to do a thorough checkup on Benjamin. However, it slipped our minds. I even had Benjamin running around with me, looking for that man. A fracture... How did Benjamin endure that?
While lost in his thoughts, Denise started crying softly. “No wonder Ben was still worrying about me when he was unconscious. It turns out that it's all because of me...”
Kenneth was at a loss for words as he listened to Denise's sobs. All he could do was reach out a hand to stroke her head and take her in his arms.
Holding onto him, Denise wept even more bitterly.
He turned and gazed at Natasha. She had her back toward him, so he could not see her expression or how she felt. Nonetheless, he knew that she had to be berating herself.
At that moment, Kenneth gained a deeper understanding of the difficulties and pain she had to face.
Three children, three hearts. This must be how she had to live all this while...
Benjamin was transferred to a ward half an hour later.
His arm was in a plaster cast, and seeing the bandages on his small figure made for a distressing sight indeed.
Natasha and Denise kept watch over Benjamin, one on each side. Denise's eyes were red-rimmed, and she would occasionally tuck the covers around her brother and talk to him.
Natasha also looked down at Benjamin. Although she knew he was doing fine, she could not help being fearful.
It was also then that she suddenly realized she had not really paid any proper attention to Anthony and Benjamin lately. When did it start? Probably when they started getting more mature and sensible... I used to think I was a competent mother. However, it's only dawning on me now that I probably don't even pass the minimum requirement.
A hint of derisive laughter directed at herself flashed in her eyes.
Time ticked by as they continued keeping watch over Benjamin.
Anthony and Kenneth did not leave either. They waited in silence until Benjamin regained consciousness.
As soon as Benjamin's eyes fluttered slightly, Denise said immediately, “Ben...”
Everyone looked over when they heard her voice and saw Benjamin slowly opening his eyes.
“Ben, you're awake!” Denise exclaimed joyfully.
Natasha also gazed at Benjamin, a flicker of light in her eyes.
She leaned closer and called out softly, “Benjamin!”
When Benjamin opened his eyes and saw Natasha, he mumbled groggily, “Nat... Denise... Has Denise been found?”
Denise felt a lump rise in her throat at those words, and tears started falling. “Ben... I'm here. I'm right here!”
Hearing her voice, Benjamin turned his head. His eyes crinkled with a smile when he spotted her. “Denise...”
“Ben, I'm here...” Denise choked out through her tears as she held his hand.
He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing that she was safe and sound. Then, he said weakly, “That's good. I'm glad you're okay. Don't cry. Why are you crying?”
Tears continued rolling down Denise's cheeks. “It's all because of you. You made us worried sick!”
“Me? What did I do?” he asked.
Denise was about to respond when Anthony piped up, “Benjamin just woke up, so he's still a little weak. Let him rest. We'll talk about it later.”
When Denise heard that, she bit back her response and could only stand to one side and sob softly.
“Benjamin, does it hurt anywhere?” Natasha queried.
He shook his head. “No. You don't have to worry, Nat. I'm fine. I just feel a little tired. I'll be okay after getting some sleep.”
That was how Benjamin always was. Regardless of what happened, he was not one to let others worry.
However, Natasha's heart could not help aching the more he behaved that way.
“Benjamin, you have to tell me if you're not feeling well,” she reminded, looking straight at him.
He nodded. “Okay. Got it. Don't worry, Nat. I'll let you know if I don't feel well...”
Kenneth watched from the side with a pained look in his eyes.
I always thought there was nothing particularly striking about Benjamin. He isn't as blunt as Anthony, nor is he as good at acting cute as Denise. Hence, I always end up overlooking his needs. But now, I've discovered that he's the most considerate among them. Apart from that, he also possesses extraordinary endurance.
Kenneth began to realize that he knew too little about Benjamin.
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