Chapter 972
Chapter 972:
Yelena shook her head, her voice firm with resolve. “Don’t talk like that. You’re a respected elder as well as Austin’s grandmother, someone I admire deeply. I will do everything I can to help you recover p>
Aitana said nothing more but gave a small nod, her eyes showing a trace of relief.
Yelena rose and walked to the window, her mind swirling with thoughts. She knew Aitana’s chances of recovery were slim, but she refused to surrender. She made up her mind to reconsider the treatment plan, seeking a better way.
“Yelena.” Austin’s voice broke the silence.
Startled, Yelena looked up to find Austin standing beside her, having approached without her notice. His sudden appearance added to the tension already swirling within her.
A sense of helplessness gnawed at her. Aitana’s condition felt insurmountable, and Yelena couldn’t shake the weight of it.
Austin saw the look of concern on her face and reached out, gently tapping her forehead. “The Yelena I know was always so sure of herself. What happened to that confidence p>
Yelena met his gaze and responded with raw honesty, “I’m not sure. Maybe because, back then, we weren’t as close p>
Back then, there had been no emotional entanglement. She could throw herself into the task without being burdened by his potential pain. But now, with Aitana being Austin’s grandmother, the situation felt different. The pressure felt heavier.
Austin’s lips curled into a faint, surprised smile. He then spoke softly, “It’s okay. Just do your best p>
Despite the words of reassurance, Yelena felt the pressure only mount. She smiled weakly, replying, “I’ll study it first p>
Her mind wandered to her master, Malayah. If only she were here, would she have a better solution? Where would she begin?
Everyone spoke of Yancy’s skill, but even she wasn’t invincible. Yancy too had faced moments of uncertainty and frustration.
“The more capable you are, the greater your responsibilities,” Malayah had once told Yelena.
At the time, she hadn’t fully understood those words. But now, looking back, they made perfect sense.
Still, Yelena refused to give up.
Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking her reverie.
It was Donna calling.
Yelena hesitated for a moment, her finger hovering over the answer button. The ringtone sliced through the quiet room like a needle pricking the air.
As she was about to stand, Austin placed a hand on her wrist, his touch unexpected and firm.
“I’m here p>
The action caught them both off guard
Yelena looked down at his hand, strong and steady, and for a fleeting moment, she remembered the first time they met months ago, when he had gripped the edge of the treatment bed, veins straining, his silence a wall of intensity.
Back then, Austin had been like a wounded wolf, alone and distant.
Now, he was the one offering comfort to others.
“Mom? Why are you calling me at this hour?” Yelena asked as she accepted the video call, her voice tinged with confusion.
Outside her window, the plane trees swayed gently, casting dappled shadows that flickered across Yelena’s pale eyelids. She had been surviving on only three hours of sleep each night for the past three days.