Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_89
Vivienne’s calm and unwavering approach made Faye feel a sense of safety she hadn’t felt in a long time. As Faye slowly sat up, she felt a flicker of hope for the first time since her face had been disfigured. Her self-imposed isolation had made her believe that no one could truly understand her pain, but Vivienne’s words were different—there was no pity, no judgment. Just a quiet strength that made Faye want to believe in her again.
As Faye gave her a small smile, Vivienne couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of satisfaction. She wasn’t in the business of offering false promises or comforting people just for the sake of it. But the way Faye had responded, the way she had begun to gather a bit of courage to face her fears, made Vivienne believe that maybe—just maybe—this treatment wasn’t just about physical healing. It was about restoring a person’s dignity, too.
“Good,” Vivienne said simply, her tone reassuring. “I’ll be here every day, and we’ll take this one step at a time. Trust the process.”
Faye nodded, her eyes a little brighter. “I will. Thank you.”
As Vivienne began to leave the room, Bertha approached her, a deep gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you, Ms. Hawthorn. I’m not sure what we would have done without you.”
Vivienne gave a small nod, her face neutral but her eyes softening in acknowledgment. “It’s nothing. Just make sure Faye follows the instructions I gave. If anything changes, don’t hesitate to call me.”
As she walked out of the room, Percival, who had been waiting downstairs, approached her. His expression was unreadable as always, but there was something in the way he looked at her—a faint glimmer of respect mixed with something else.
“How is she?” Percival asked, his voice low.
“She’s stable for now,” Vivienne replied, her tone professional. “She’s responding well, but the real work starts now. It’s up to her whether she wants to fully recover, mentally and physically.”
Percival nodded, processing the information. “I appreciate you taking the time to help her. If there’s anything more you need, let me know.”
Vivienne didn’t say anything at first, just gave him a small glance. There was something about his presence that made her feel a little uneasy, as if there were layers to him that she couldn’t yet uncover.
“I’m not in the business of doing favors,” Vivienne said bluntly, “but for now, Faye has a chance. That’s all that matters.”
Percival looked at her for a moment, then gave a slow, almost imperceptible nod. “I’ll make sure the payment is arranged. You’ve earned it.”
As Vivienne turned to leave, Bertha stopped her once more. “Please, Ms. Hawthorn, don’t hesitate to ask for anything if you need it. We won’t forget what you’ve done for Faye.”
Vivienne’s face softened just a touch, a small sign of appreciation. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With that, Vivienne made her exit, leaving behind a room filled with mixed emotions. Doreen was still recovering from the shock of Faye’s recovery, and Bertha, though grateful, couldn’t help but feel a sense of uncertainty about the future. But for now, they had the most important thing: a glimmer of hope that Faye might one day be free of her fears and self-imposed isolation.
As Vivienne stepped out into the cool air, her thoughts were clear and focused. The treatment had only just begun, and there was still much to do. But for the first time in a while, she felt a sense of fulfillment in her work. There was something uniquely satisfying about saving a life—not just physically, but emotionally as well. And that feeling, for Vivienne, was one she hadn’t fully experienced in a long time.
