Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 517 Raymond Really Cares for Her Touched, Olivia found herself gazing at Raymond, a belief blooming within her that she still occupied a corner of his heart. "Raymond, you truly do care for me," she murmured.

Raymond, ensconced on the couch, offered no response to her heartfelt declaration.

As Dr. Barnes concluded his examination of her finger, Olivia proffered her other hand just as he was preparing to take his leave.

"Dr. Barnes, this hand feels somewhat peculiar as well," she said.

It was evident, even to the most obtuse observer, that Olivia was contriving reasons to prolong his stay. But to what end? Dr. Barnes' gaze strayed involuntarily towards Raymond, who appeared lost in thought and failed to return the look. The previous night, Alex had insinuated that Raymond was entangled in a romantic liaison with another. Yet, Raymond's tolerance of Olivia's theatrics suggested a lingering affection for her. Perhaps Alex's tales were mere fabrications. Unperturbed by the additional task, Dr. Barnes meticulously examined her other hand before offering her a smile.

"Miss Stone, may I take my leave now?" he asked.

All things considered, his visit had extended by a good forty minutes. Olivia responded with a slight smile. "Dinner is prepared, Dr. Barnes. Would you care to join us?" Dr. Barnes declined her invitation with a shake of his head, casting a glance at his wristwatch.

"No, I must be on my way." With talready squandered and no further excuses at her disposal, Olivia allowed him to depart. During his visit, he had received three calls from the Harper family, all imploring him to make haste. Upon leaving the Stone residence, he made a beeline for the hospital.

Elsewhere, Selena was in a state of distress, perspiration dotting her forehead, her lips nearly blanched from anxiety. She repeatedly inquired about the prognosis of her hand.

The doctor found himself questioning whether a negative response would cause her to unravel completely. However, given the state of her fingers, promising a full recovery was a daunting proposition. "Miss Fair, I cannot make any guarantees," he confessed.

Selena, who had been staunchly holding back her tears, finally succumbed to her emotions.

Shelley had intended to offer words of solace, but instead heard Selena say, "Shelley, I wish to rest for a while. You may leave." Shelley was left speechless, opting to remain by Selena's side for another half hour before reluctantly taking her leave.

Alone, Selena ruminated over the doctor's words of uncertainty, her tears cascading down her cheeks with renewed vigor.

The hospital room door swung open once more, and in strode Baxter Barnes, his white coat a stark contrast to the sterile surroundings.

Selena hastily brushed away her tears, her heart pounding in her chest.

Baxter Barnes, with a brief glance at the chart in his hand, verified the bed number before settling down beside her. He reached out, taking her injured hand into his own for a closer examination. "What happened?" he inquired, his voice steady and professional.

Selena's response was barely a whisper, her voice raspy from crying, "Can it be fixed?" Baxter Barnes met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Would you be able to accept the amputation of the finger?" he asked.

Her eyelashes fluttered downwards at his words, her other hand clenching the bedsheets tightly. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her sobs trapped in her throat, rendering her speechless.

Unfazed, Baxter Barnes continued his examination, his tone even and calm. "That was merely the worst-case scenario. Allowto treat this again. The soft tissue is relatively unscathed. If you're careful during the recovery, there shouldn't be any lasting damage. However, the upcoming examination will be painful." The doctor had previously conducted a preliminary examination and applied a temporary treatment. However, as tpassed, the finger had swelled, making a second examination inevitable and more painful.

Selena gave a small nod, leaning back against her pillow and slowly closing her eyes.

"Fortunately, the injury wasn't as severe as it could have been. If the skin and soft tissues had been completely damaged, amputation would have been the only option. Your phalanx is still intact, though the skin is tender and the finger misaligned," he explained, his voice steady.

Sweat beaded on Selena's forehead, trickling down her face. Baxter Barnes noted her silence, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

The examination and subsequent treatment took a full twenty minutes, after which the wound was carefully redressed.

Selena, her gaze fixed on her bandaged hand, lifted her head to ask, "Are you certain it will heal?"

By then, Baxter Barnes had already risen, the chart once again in his hand. "Yes, you'll need to stay in the hospital for a few days I'll be coming by regularly to check on you. And, I realize I haven't introduced myself yet I'm Baxter Barnes. I'll be taking care of you during your stay here. The Harper family specifically requested that I oversee your treatment." A wave of relief washed over Selena at his words. "As long as it gets better," she murmured.

Baxter Barnes regarded her thoughtfully. "If the pain becomes unbearable, I can administer sanesthesia." The prospect of recovery brought a glimmer of hope to her eyes. She leaned back against the headboard, lapsing into silence.

Baxter Barnes, a mountain of paperwork awaiting him, excused himself without further conversation.

Selena hadn't eaten since morning, and soon Shelley returned, bearing a bowl of porridge. She set up a small table in front of Selena, who, despite her injured hand, was able to feed herself with her good hand.

Shelley, settling down beside her, couldn't help but voice her suspicions. "I bet this whole mess was stirred up by Olivia. How else could it be such a coincidence that she got injured too? The more you try to hide something, the more obvious it becomes." With Shelley's fiery temperament, she was ready to confront Olivia head-on.

She turned to Selena, whose expression remained impassive. Selena closed her eyes, her thoughts a mystery.