chapter26

Lydia let out a helpless little laugh. Come in."

Once she gave the okay, her parents pushed open the door. The moment they saw Lydia sitting there, cleaning her own wound with disinfectant, they rushed over, worry written all over their faces.

"Lydia, does it hurt? Why don't we take you to the hospital?" her dad asked, his voice full of concern.

"It's fine. I'll just put some medicine on it," Lydia replied, brushing it off like it was nothing.

"But... but the cut is so deep. What if it leaves a scar?" Kylie's voice trembled a little as she gently lifted Lydia's injured hand.

Her hand was slender and soft, with graceful lines and perfectly shaped nails that looked like tiny pearls. Kylie's heart ached at the thought of such a beautiful hand being scarred. If that happened, her sweet girl would be devastated, and as her mom, she couldn't stand the idea either.

If it had been Lucinda, she would have made a huge fuss over even the tiniest scratch and insisted on seeing a doctor right away.

"Really, it's not a big deal. There's ointment for cuts in here." Lydia picked up a tube from the first aid kit.

"But I just don't want you to get a scar, honey."

"It'll be fine, really," Lydia reassured her.

She was a doctor herself, after all. For her, a cut like this definitely wasn't worth a trip to the hospital.

Cameron and Kylie exchanged a look, thinking maybe Lydia was still upset. They couldn't really blame her, considering what had just happened was clearly Mr. Norwood's and Lucinda's fault.

"I'm sorry, Lydia," Kylie said softly. "I know I should've made Lucinda keep her promise, but I was scared of upsetting your grandpa again. He hasn't slept well for days ever since he found out Lucinda isn't really his granddaughter. He still can't accept it."

"I get it. You don't have to apologize," Lydia said quietly.

Her grandfather had almost gotten down on his knees for Lucinda's sake. No matter how much she disliked him, there was no way she'd let an old man do that.

Cameron and Kylie watched their daughter, their hearts swelling with pride. She was so mature and understanding for her age. They knew they had to do something to make it up to her, so she wouldn't feel hurt.

"Sweetie, let me help you put the medicine on," Kylie offered gently.

Later, she'd make sure to book appointments for treatments if there was even the hint of a scar. There was no way she'd let anything mar her daughter's beautiful hands.

Lydia watched as her mother carefully dabbed ointment onto her wound. Kylie's eyes were full of worry and love, and it almost looked like she might cry. Lydia's lips curled up in a small smile. It actually felt pretty nice, being cared for like this by her parents.

Following Lydia's directions, Kylie wrapped the wound with gauze and even tied the end into a neat little bow.

"Lydia, how did you get so good at acupuncture at your age? Did you study medicine?" Kylie asked, unable to hold back her curiosity any longer.

Earlier, when she'd watched Lydia perform acupuncture on Grandpa, she'd been reminded so much of Garrett. There was no doubt Lydia was her daughter.

Lydia paused, then answered, "Grandma taught me."

Cameron's eyes widened. "I never knew Mrs. Smith had those skills. But honestly, you're amazing, Lydia. Your mom and I are so proud of you. If it weren't for you today, your grandpa could have been in real danger."

Lydia just smiled, calm and cool. "Thank you."

"You've been busy all morning. You haven't even had breakfast, have you? Come downstairs and eat with us," Kylie coaxed.

"I'm not hungry," Lydia said softly. She really didn't have any appetite.