He is always so meticulous, Josie thought, then asked, “Is there anything else he arranged? You can tell me all at once.”
Sensing her unhappy tone, Moses immediately shook his head. “There’s nothing else.”
Josie did not press further.
The medical ward was secluded on its own floor, guarded by dedicated personnel. Even when Josie entered, it required Larry to come out to receive her. As he did so, he reassured, “Rest assured, not even a mosquito would be allowed in.”
Josie hurried along. “Where is the ward?”
“At the end of the corridor.”
She was eager to see Paul, but when she reached the door of the hospital room, her steps faltered, and she dared not proceed any further.
Larry asked in confusion, “What’s the matter?”
For over two years, she had been far from a good daughter. Upon their reunion, she was uncertain about how to face Paul.
At that moment, she was expectant yet fearful. Josie relaxed slightly, took a deep breath, and finally mustered the courage to push the door open.
As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but pristine white beds, medical equipment, and the elderly man lying on the bed. If one could say that he was still somewhat spirited when he first woke up from his vegetative state, he, at that moment, appeared to have aged a decade. His hair was completely white, and the wrinkles on his face were a clear testament to his advanced age.
It’s him. It’s really him. Pop has truly returned, Josie stared at Paul. One could only imagine the amount of hardship he had endured over those two years.
Josie’s heart ached as if being twisted by a knife.
Upon hearing the noise, Paul was startled. He turned to look and after a few seconds, Josie met his gaze. However, his eyes still held a sense of unfamiliarity, as if she was nothing more than a stranger to him.
Tears welled up in Josie’s eyes in an instant, her voice choked with emotion as she uttered, “Pop.”
Her voice was soft. Paul pointed to himself in confusion, as if to ask, “Are you speaking to me?”
“Pop…” Josie dragged her weary feet until she reached the front of his bed. Suddenly, she collapsed, kneeling before him. “I’m sorry, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have ended up like this.”
From beginning to end, Paul had been looking at her with a very peculiar expression. He even eagerly extended his hand, wanting to help Josie up. “Who are you, miss? You’ve mistaken me for someone else. Ah, get up, get up quickly.”
Josie froze. She couldn’t believe that Paul didn’t recognize her. She tightly gripped Paul’s thin, bony wrist. “It’s me, Jo. Don’t you recognize me? Take a good look at me.”
She hadn’t put on any makeup that day. Over the past two years, her appearance hadn’t changed at all. If anything, her voice remained.
As such, realistically, Paul should have recognized her!
Paul really took a good look at her, then waved his hand. “Stop fooling around, child. Get up quickly.”
The tone of his speech was surprisingly robust, yet he couldn’t recognize anyone. He couldn’t recognize her anymore!
Josie’s entire body went limp as if the world had collapsed around her. She turned around to question Larry. “What on earth is happening?”
Larry was in a difficult position, revealing the truth. “Mr. Warren had previously suffered a brain injury. The two years of imprisonment only worsened his condition. The doctor diagnosed him with dementia.”
Tears streamed directly down Josie’s face.
Despite being under sixty, Paul had surprisingly developed dementia.
She tried to stand up, but her feeble legs kept her slouched on the ground for a prolonged period. It took her a significant amount of time to accept the truth. No wonder Dexter had warned me to be mentally prepared.
“Mr. Warren fluctuates between moments of clarity and moments of confusion. As long as you take care of him with patience, there will always be instances when he recognizes you, Ms. Warren. Don’t be too disheartened,” Larry reassured.
In that instant, Josie felt accused and burdened with guilt. How could she not be distressed?
