Chapter 303

Amy, the caretaker, tried to remain calm as she prepared to call the doctor. But turning around, she saw Rosie clutching a pillow and heading for the door.

Rosie, though blind, miraculously navigated the room without incident and reached the front door. She opened it and stepped outside.

"Ms. Miller!" Amy called, hurrying after her. "Where are you going?"

Sleepwalkers often don't respond to others. Rosie didn't.

Panicked, Amy grabbed Rosie's arm. "Ms. Miller, you can't go out! It's nighttime and freezing."

Rosie seemed to hear her and reacted. Her unfocused eyes fixed on Amy.

Delighted, Amy thought Rosie had awakened. "Ms. Miller?" she called.

However, Rosie remained silent. Then, her eyelids drooped, her body went limp, and she began to fall.

Amy was shocked. She reached for Rosie, but they both tumbled to the ground. "Ms. Miller! Ms. Miller?" Amy gasped, breathless and sweating. She gently patted Rosie's cheeks. "How are you? Can you hear me?"

Rosie's teeth were clenched; there was no response.

Amy shouted, "Somebody! Doctor! Nurse! Something's happened to Ms. Miller!"

The on-duty doctor rushed over. Together with Amy, they lifted Rosie. "What happened? Quick, notify Mr. Flynn!" the doctor instructed.

Howard arrived hurriedly at the convalescent home that cold night. Rosie lay quietly on the bed, her complexion pale and unhealthy. She wasn't asleep; she had fainted.

The doctor had examined her; her blood pressure was low, and her breathing shallow.

"What's going on!" Howard demanded, his tone reproachful. "Three people—doctor, nurse, and caretaker—fail to care for one person? Rosie is only blind; she has no other underlying conditions. Why did she faint?"

Amy, having witnessed everything, stepped forward. "Mr. Flynn, I'm not sure, but Ms. Miller seems to have somnambulism."

Howard's brows furrowed. He glanced at Hervey. "Check the surveillance."

"Yes, sir," Hervey replied.

The convalescent home had night-vision surveillance. The footage showed Rosie sleepwalking.

Even more surprising, while sleepwalking, she seemed to treat the pillow like a child.

"Mr. Flynn," the doctor said, "We've given Ms. Miller an injection and oxygen. She's improved."

"Good," Howard replied. He went to the bedroom, sat by the bed, and gazed at Rosie's pale face. He thought of the circumstances surrounding Bobby's birth.

He mused, She has a husband; how could he allow her to have a child? And then she abandoned Bobby!

His brows furrowed; he didn't understand. Rosie could have chosen not to have Bobby. Thinking of her cuddling the pillow in her sleep, Howard sighed softly.

Maternal instinct was powerful. Surely, abandoning Bobby must have been difficult for her. Her somnambulism was probably triggered by that.

Howard rubbed his temples. He felt responsible for Rosie's condition.

On the bed, Rosie stirred uncomfortably and reached for the oxygen tube.

Howard stiffened and quickly held her hand. In a low, gentle voice, he said, "Don't move. Breathe in some oxygen; it'll make you feel better." He gently parted her hair, as he had done before to comfort her.

Gradually, Rosie calmed down.

Howard held her hand, a slight curve to his lips. At dawn, he left the convalescent home. Instead of going home, he visited a psychiatrist to consult about somnambulism.

The doctor explained, "Mild somnambulism often responds to diet, rest, and self-regulation. Medication can help, and severe cases may require counseling. Mr. Flynn, what's the patient's situation?"

Howard was at a loss, shaking his head. He'd just learned about Rosie's somnambulism and knew nothing else.

"Is it convenient for the patient to come here?" the doctor asked.

Howard shook his head again. He wasn't sure Rosie was even aware of her condition. And what reason could he give for bringing her? He wasn't special to her.

The doctor suggested, "How about I prescribe medication, and you observe the patient?"

Howard agreed. With Rosie at the convalescent home, observation would be easy. "Alright, prescribe the medication."

"Certainly, Mr. Flynn," the doctor said.

Rosie awoke feeling extremely tired.

"Ms. Miller, you're awake," Amy said, helping Rosie sit up. "Are you feeling better?"

Rosie blinked blankly. "What's wrong with me? Shouldn't I feel good?"

Amy was surprised. "Ms. Miller, don't you remember last night?"

Rosie shook her head, more confused. "What happened?"

Amy glanced at Howard, who shook his head silently. She understood.

Amy helped Rosie sit up properly. "Last night, when you got up, I came to assist you. But you fainted, which scared me half to death," Amy said, patting her chest.

Rosie asked, "Did that happen?" She couldn't recall. Rubbing her temple, she said, "I don't remember anything. Did I faint? How could that be?" She frowned, muttering, "I've always been healthy. I rarely get up at night."

Amy glanced at Howard again, then helped Rosie get ready for the day. "Ms. Miller, let me help you. Breakfast is ready."

"Okay," Rosie said.

Howard remained silent and pensive. Rosie seemed unaware of her sleepwalking. When he left, she was already at the dining table.

Amy accompanied Rosie at breakfast, her medication beside her plate. "Ms. Miller, take your medicine after…"

"Medicine? What medicine?" Rosie asked, pausing.

"Didn't you faint last night?" Amy explained. "The doctor prescribed some nutritional supplements."

Rosie nodded. "Alright." She remained puzzled, muttering, "It's strange, how could I have fainted?"

In the afternoon, Rosie basked in the sun when a noise disrupted the quiet.

Amy brought Rosie refreshments. "Ms. Miller, some water."

"Thank you," Rosie replied, tilting her head. "What's going on over there?"

Amy explained, "Someone has moved in next door."

Rosie nodded. Since moving in, she'd been alone. It was quiet, but lonely. She wondered what the new neighbor would be like.