Chapter 98

Josiah steadied his nerves and tried to reassure his grandmother. “Grandma, don’t you trust Howard? He’s always been exceptional. He overcame being in a vegetative state. Do you really think rehab is going to stop him?”

His words resonated with Miranda. She nodded in agreement. “You’re right. Howard has always been obedient, never once making me worry. Everything he’s done…”

She shot a glare at Josiah. “Not like you. You just live to frustrate me.”

A fleeting shadow crossed Josiah’s eyes, but it was so subtle it almost went unnoticed. He quickly masked it with his usual carefree demeanor.

“Of course,” he raised an eyebrow and said with a playful grin. “As an elder brother, he should be great, and he can protect me, right?”

Miranda chuckled, tears still glistening on her cheeks. She reached out and tapped Josiah’s forehead.

“The moment Howard woke up, you started acting like a little kid again,” she said.

She sighed deeply. “All I hope is for Howard to get better quickly. That way, you’ll have it easier, won’t you?”

“Yes, Grandma,” Josiah replied, nodding solemnly.

That night, the two stayed in the hospital room, keeping vigil. The next morning, Miranda personally helped Howard wash up while Josiah assisted from the sidelines. Though Howard couldn’t speak yet, a faint blush colored his cheeks, clearly indicating shyness.

“Oh, come on,” Miranda picked up on it instantly. After all, she’d raised Howard and knew him very well.

“Howard, feeling shy! What’s there to be shy about? You and Josiah were both raised by me, diapers and all…” she began.

“Grandma!” Josiah protested, holding a wash basin. “Leave me out of this! What’s all this talk about diapers? I was born dashing and debonair!”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Miranda retorted, rolling her eyes. “You think you were born a tall, handsome man?”

“Of course,” Josiah said, straightening up with mock pride. “I came into this world destined to be six feet three inches!”

“Hey!” Miranda scoffed, shaking her head. “Six feet three inches? That’s Howard. You’re six foot two, tops.”

“Grandma!” Josiah exclaimed, feigning outrage.

From his bed, Howard watched the exchange, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Once they were done, Miranda sat beside Howard, coaxing him to sip some water. Though his feeding tube hadn’t been removed yet, the doctors had instructed them to let him start drinking slowly. After all, he hadn’t eaten by mouth for many years, and this was part of his recovery.

“Here we go,” Miranda said gently, spooning a bit of water for him. “Take your time, no rush.”

Howard tried his best, and a little water escaped the corner of his mouth as he swallowed. Josiah was quick to wipe it away with a towel. “Howard, there’s no rush. You’re doing great for your first try…”

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Before anyone could respond, the door swung open, and Yvette hurried in, practically running to Howard’s bedside. “Howard!”

She stopped, catching her breath, and stood by the bed. Josiah, sensing the moment, stepped aside to give her space. Yvette had clearly come straight from a shoot. Her makeup was still on, and she looked utterly exhausted from a sleepless night and the rushed trip. Her pallor betrayed her fatigue, and her eyes were filled with a mix of panic and weariness.

“Howard,” she whispered, clasping his hand tightly. She bent down, pressing her forehead gently against his. When she finally spoke, her voice trembled, barely holding together.

Howard made a faint sound in his throat as if trying to respond.

“It’s okay,” Yvette murmured, her tone soft but resolute. “Take your time. You’ll get better, and when you’re ready, we’ll talk. I’ll wait for you.”

Miranda and Josiah exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. Without a word, they left the room, granting the couple their privacy.

After a while, Yvette emerged from the room. Her eyes were rimmed with red, her eyelids puffy. When she spoke, her voice was heavy with congestion. “Miranda, Josiah, what did the doctor say about Howard’s condition?”

Miranda reached out, taking Yvette’s hand in hers. Her tone was soft and reassuring, hoping to temper any disappointment. “Sweetheart, the doctor said Howard’s recovery can’t be rushed. It’s already a miracle that he woke up, but his rehab will take time,” Miranda explained gently.

“Okay,” Yvette choked out, her voice trembling as she nodded through her tears. “I understand. I’ll stay by his side.”

She turned to Josiah next. “I might need to cut back on work. I’ll have to make time to take care of Howard.”

Before Josiah could respond, Miranda was already nodding in agreement, fully supportive. “That’s very thoughtful of you. Don’t worry. Josiah will take care of the arrangements.” She gave Yvette’s hand a reassuring pat. “Howard will get better. These past years have been hard on you, but things are finally turning around, aren’t they?”

Yvette smiled through her tears. “Yes, Miranda.”

That evening, Josiah stayed overnight at the Flynn residence, as usual. He brought a cup of soup to Miranda’s room.

“Thank you, Josiah,” Miranda said warmly.

“My pleasure,” Josiah replied, his tone casual but respectful. Both of them were in high spirits after the day’s events.

As Miranda sipped her milk, something came to mind. “By the way, have you told Sienna that Howard’s awake?”

“Not yet,” Josiah admitted with a shake of his head.

“Hey!” Miranda shot him a look, putting down her cup and reaching for her phone. She began, “If you won’t tell her, I will. Howard used to be so good to Sienna, and when he first fell ill, she was there for him. She deserves to know…”

“Grandma,” Josiah interrupted, half-laughing as he stopped her. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell her. Sienna isn’t in Jeiacrity right now.”

“Not in Jeiacrity?” Miranda paused, surprised. “Where did she go?” Then, narrowing her eyes, she added, “And how do you know? Don’t tell me you’re still chasing after her.”

Josiah raised a hand to his lips in mock dismay. “Chasing? That’s such a harsh word, Miranda. I’d call it pursuing, respectfully, of course.”

Outside the door, Yvette happened to be passing by. Hearing Josiah’s comment through the slightly ajar door, she stopped in her tracks. She held her breath as she listened.

“You’re just asking for trouble!” Miranda scolded, rolling her eyes at Josiah. “I tried to set you up with her before, but you wouldn’t have it. Now that she’s no longer interested, you’re chasing after her like a fool.”

Sighing, Miranda’s thoughts turned to Yvette, and she couldn’t help but add, “Is it that you always want what you can’t have? Do you only like a lady who doesn’t like you back?”

“Grandma,” Josiah exclaimed, clearly exasperated. “Why are you saying the same things as everyone else? How many times do I have to explain this! Yvette is Howard’s beloved one. Now that Howard’s awake… please be careful with your words. You can’t say things like that anymore.”

Miranda looked sheepish at the reminder, nodding apologetically. “You’re right, I misspoke.” Then, steering the conversation back to Sienna, she asked, “So, if Sienna isn’t in Jeiacrity, where is she?”

Josiah raised an eyebrow, his expression struggling. “She’s in Harbwood.”

“What’s she doing in Harbwood?” Miranda looked even more puzzled. “She doesn’t have any family there besides the Flynn family. I hope she’s not being tricked by someone.”

“Grandma,” Josiah interrupted with a laugh. “Relax. She went with Brenda.” He then explained how Sienna had joined the Lightning Dance troupe.

Miranda’s eyes widened in amazement. “You actually went to such great lengths for Sienna! All for her?”