“You’re awake, Jennifer. I’m so glad you’re finally awake,” Donald’s voice rang out as he entered, his excitement palpable. He instinctively placed his hands on her shoulders, as if to hug her, but stopped, worried about her injuries. For a moment, Jennifer saw a mixture of tenderness and joy in his eyes—a kind of care she had never experienced.

Startled by Donald’s sudden reaction, Teresa woke up as well. Moving slightly, she adjusted the covers over Michi. “Are you okay, Hannah?” Teresa asked, slipping out of bed and putting on her short robe.

Jennifer teased, “Still alive, which is nice.”

Donald chuckled. “Keep living well, my dear Dr. Nelson,” he said.

Teresa noticed the sparkle in Donald’s eyes, as though they were filled with stars. “Hannah, you have him to thank. If Donald hadn’t pulled you out of the driver’s seat and rushed you to the hospital, who knows what might have happened?” Teresa said.

Jennifer replied nonchalantly, “Hmm, I’ll repay the favor someday. For now, I’d like to speak with my sister alone.” Taking the hint, Donald stepped out.

“What about Michael—should I take care of him?” Donald asked.

Teresa immediately waved him off. “He’s still sleeping, and he likes to sleep in. Let’s not wake him.” Donald nodded and left without another word.

“Hannah,” Teresa said, holding Jennifer’s hand. Seeing Jennifer’s body covered in bandages, tears welled up in her eyes again. “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you sooner. I can’t believe you were right by my side all along. I’m so sorry,” she continued.

“Silly girl, I’m the one who should apologize. When I disappeared, you were barely three and a half years old. How could you possibly remember me? Besides, I changed my name,” Jennifer said, wiping Teresa’s tears.

“Why didn’t you tell me right away? You’re my sister, Hannah! What happened all these years? Now that you’re awake, I’m going to tell Mom,” Teresa said.

Jennifer immediately panicked. “Don’t tell her. She doesn’t love me. What’s the point?” she said.

“You’ve misunderstood, Mom loves you deeply. She—”

“If she truly loved me, how could she have left a five-year-old to lie in the cold rain, waiting for her for an entire day and night? She’s a heartless woman.”

Teresa was stunned. Seeing tears streaming down Jennifer’s face, she quickly grabbed some tissues and wiped them away.

“Fine, I won’t tell her. Please don’t get upset. Focus on recovering first,” Teresa said.

Jennifer held Teresa’s hand tightly. “You and Mike are the only family I have now,” she said.

Just then, a doctor knocked on the door to check on Jennifer. Although she was awake, she would need to stay in the hospital for at least a week for observation. Jennifer insisted she was fine, but her colleagues urged her not to push herself and to focus on recovering first.

Not long after, the director of the Maternal and Child Health Hospital also came to see Jennifer, telling her not to worry about work. It was clear to Teresa that Jennifer was well-liked at work.

“Mommy,” Michael mumbled, waking up at 11 a.m. He had slept late due to their hospital visit. Teresa nudged him and said, “Say hi to your aunt.”

“Aunt Hannah, are you feeling better now? Mommy said you were sick. What illness did you have? And why are you covered in bandages? You look so cool!” Michael asked curiously.

Jennifer glanced at Teresa before smiling and stroking Michael’s face. She said, “Mike, I’m fine now. Thank you and your mommy for taking care of me.”

Michael grinned and replied, “We’re family, right?”

That night, after Michael fell asleep again and the hospital quieted down, Teresa sat by Jennifer’s bedside. She wanted to know everything that happened to Jennifer back then. And so, Jennifer began recounting the events from the year she went missing. “Back then…