It was only then that Stella fully recognized Sanford.
Adjusting to the room’s light, she shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Her voice was hoarse, likely from having been unconscious for a while.
After a brief pause, Stella asked, “What are you doing here?”
Stella recalled the ringtone she had heard before losing consciousness and quietly asked, “Was it you who called me?”
owlstorynest
“It was me,” Sanford admitted with a sigh. “I was worried about you, and it seems I had reason to be.”
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Stella lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry for troubling you again…”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. It’s no trouble at all. I’m just worried you don’t take care of yourself,” he said, his eyes locking onto hers with quiet intensity.
Stella, feeling uncomfortable under his steady gaze, glanced away, unsure of how to respond.
Sensing her unease, Sanford softened his expression and smiled. He quickly shifted back to a more neutral tone. “The doctor said it’s an acute stomach ulcer, probably from skipping meals and stress. You need to avoid socializing and alcohol for a while, okay?”
Stella murmured, her voice barely audible, “I understand, Thank you.”
Sanford stood up, pouring her a glass of warm water. Handing it over, he gently said, “Drink some; it’ll help you feel better.”
Taking a sip, Stella did feel some relief. After a brief pause, she asked, “By the way, where’s Doreen?”
She remembered being with Doreen before everything went dark.
Sanford’s expression didn’t waver. “I told her to go home and rest. I’ll stay here with you.”
Stella’s embarrassment deepened, coupled with a sense of unease. She glanced at him, unsure of how to express her gratitude without feeling like a burden.
Noticing her discomfort, Sanford asked, “If I were in trouble, would you help me?”
Stella blinked, caught off guard by the question. Sanford quickly clarified, “I don’t mean anything by it. I just want to repay the kindness your father showed me. That’s all.”
Hearing the mention of her father, Stella fell silent, uncertain of what to say.
After a long pause, she finally looked up at Sanford, her voice soft.
“Can you tell me more about my father? What was he Like?”
Sanford took a moment to reflect, and then met Stella’s gaze with sincerity. “He was a genuinely kind man, much like you. I remember when I had chickenpox in high school-it’s highly contagious. Your father didn’t hesitate to help. He cared for me around the clock, administered my medication, and made sure I was comfortable. Though I was just a student with no familial ties, he treated me with extraordinary kindness. If he were here now, he wouldn’t let you endure any suffering.”
Hearing this, Stella could vividly picture her father’s meticulous care during her own times of illness, always by her side.
Her throat tightened, and she felt like crying.