The Next Day
The sun was shining, and the snow on the road had melted.
Kendall arrived at the hospital where Phoebe was being treated, carrying a warm and hearty breakfast for Phoebe's parents.
Phoebe's parents, already hesitant to spend money, were even more frugal now that their daughter was unconscious and required long-term care. Though breakfast was just simple steamed buns and pickles—affordable and modest—they would've been fine skipping it altogether.
Even though Kendall had promised to cover all of Phoebe's medical expenses, her parents still tried to save wherever they could. They wanted Kendall to spend as little as possible.
When they saw Kendall enter with the food, they quickly expressed their gratitude and urged her not to go to so much trouble next time.
After breakfast, they congratulated Phoebe's father—on being awarded a medal.
A nurse doing rounds in the next ward paused, feeling a wave of sympathy.
