Chapter 319: Buried Wounds

Dora clearly adored Sierra. The moment Sierra asked if she wanted to go to the children’s play area downstairs, the little girl agreed without hesitation. Quinn stroked her daughter’s hair gently and said, “Go on, and make sure to listen to Auntie Sierra.” Dora nodded obediently. Watching her, Sierra felt a pang in her chest. A child this young shouldn’t have to be this well-behaved. She couldn’t tell if it was just Dora’s nature or the result of something she’d gone through.

Sierra wanted to know more but knew it wasn’t the right time. She gave Johnathan a quick glance before carrying Dora out of the room. Dora clung to her trustingly, her little arms wrapped tightly around Sierra’s neck.

“Dora,” Sierra asked softly, “how was life when you and your mom lived overseas? Were you happy every day?”

Dora didn’t speak. Just when Sierra thought she might not answer at all, the child murmured, “I didn’t see Mommy much. She was always busy.”

Sierra’s heart sank. “Then who took care of you? Your dad? Someone else?”

Again, silence. This time, Dora didn’t respond at all—not even after a long wait. Sierra didn’t press her further. She was just a three-year-old, after all. For now, she could only hope Johnathan would get more answers inside.

Inside the hospital room, the silence was heavy. Johnathan waited, but when Quinn stayed quiet, he finally broke the stillness. “What? Do I need to beg you to speak?”

“Johnathan…” Quinn’s voice trembled—equal parts fear and sorrow.

“What’s going on?” he demanded. “Tell me everything. Now.” He was barely holding onto his patience. Still, Quinn said nothing, lips pressed tightly shut.

That pushed Johnathan over the edge. “Fine. Don’t say anything. I’ll investigate it myself.”

Panic flashed across Quinn’s face. “No—please, don’t!” She looked utterly humiliated. “Just… give me some dignity, okay?”

Johnathan gave a bitter laugh. “Dignity? What’s more important—your pride or your child’s life?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Do you even know Dora’s test results are worse than yours?”

“What?” Quinn looked stunned, clearly unaware.

“You really didn’t know?” His gaze turned sharp. “She never told you she was in pain?”

Quinn’s lips trembled. After a long pause, she finally said, “Actually… I only had her for a few months.”

“I mean… she didn’t come back to me until two months before we returned home.”

“What do you mean?” Johnathan’s eyes narrowed. “What did that man do?” He zeroed in on the crucial point immediately. But no matter how he pushed, Quinn refused to say more.

That only fueled his frustration. His voice dropped, cold and flat. “Fine. Don’t talk. I won’t ask again.”

“If you don’t want help, then I’m done. I won’t get involved in anything else.” He turned on his heel to leave—but Quinn lunged forward and grabbed his arm.

“Please, don’t abandon me,” she cried, clinging to him desperately.

Johnathan stared at her coldly. “You’re the one who shut me out.”

“No, it’s not like that,” she said, shaking her head wildly. “I just… I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“You and Dora are all I have left. Please don’t walk away.” Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him, sobbing.

Normally, Johnathan would have pushed her away in a heartbeat. Even though Quinn was like a sister, he hated physical contact. His hand froze midair. Watching her cry so bitterly, he couldn’t bring himself to push her off.

By the time Sierra came back with Dora, Quinn was already asleep. Johnathan sat on the sofa, deep in thought, his expression unreadable. Dora was tired too. Sierra laid her down beside her mother, letting the two sleep together before taking a seat.

“Did she tell you anything?” she asked. As she spoke, she noticed a dark patch on Johnathan’s sleeve—stained with tears. She looked up at him, but Johnathan didn’t meet her gaze.

“Not much,” he said, sounding irritable. “She claims she didn’t know Dora’s condition. Said Dora only came back to her a few months ago.”

Sierra’s brows furrowed. “Then where was Dora before that? With that man?” But when she thought of Dora’s silence earlier, she wasn’t so sure. Something didn’t add up.

She was about to say more when Quinn suddenly started thrashing in her sleep. “No! No! Help me! Help me!” she cried out, her voice trembling with fear.

Johnathan rushed over and gently shook her. “Quinn. Quinn—wake up.” Her eyes snapped open, wild with terror. The moment she saw him, she clung to him like a lifeline. “Johnathan, help me! Please… help me!”