Chapter 301

“Juniper!”
Shanley, Jimmie, Melvin, and Janet all cried out at once.
“Low blood sugar,” Juniper murmured, her cheek pressed against Shanley’s chest as her hands weakly gripped the hem of his shirt.
“Ms. Payne has been in surgery for over ten hours,” a doctor quickly explained. “She hasn’t eaten anything and has only had a few sips of water.”
“That’s right,” another doctor added, his face etched with worry. “Ms. Payne is truly remarkable. The surgery was flawless.”
“Mr. Schwartz, you should take her to rest,” another suggested.
“Yes, absolutely,” Dr. Landon urged. “Ms. Payne, please, go and get some rest.”
Shanley’s lips curved into a faint smile as he observed the assembly of medical experts, who had been so skeptical before the surgery, now looking at Juniper with complete admiration. His girl, it seemed, had a knack for winning over the toughest crowds.
“Felton, get some food ready,” Shanley ordered, his brow furrowed with concern. He bent down and swept Juniper into his arms, carrying her toward a nearby lounge.
As he passed Jimmie and Melvin, he paused deliberately. The two brothers exchanged a look for a second before sighing in resignation. “Go on, take her to rest.”
As soon as she’d come out of the operating room, she’d immediately started looking for Shanley. To her, it was as if her two older brothers were invisible. Fine. As long as someone was taking care of her, that’s all that mattered.
“Janet, your mother is fine. You should go get some rest, too,” Jimmie said softly. Janet was about the same age as Juniper, and he naturally saw her as a younger sister.
“Thank you, Jimmie.” Janet gave him a polite bow, but clutched her backpack, unsure of where to go.
“You-” Before Jimmie could finish, Melvin suddenly stepped in front of him, took Janet’s bag, and said with forced composure, “Follow me.”
Jimmie was speechless.
“Okay,” Janet replied, glancing up at Melvin just in time to see him
looking town at her. She quickly lowered her head again, resembling a timid quail as she quietly followed him.

“Interesting,” Jimmie muttered to himself with a smirk, watching them walk away.
…
Inside the lounge.
Juniper was propped up against the headboard while Shanley patiently fed her spoonfuls of soup. Jimmiez sat nearby, unable to help and feeling utterly useless, is expression was gun. Who smer brother here, anyway?!
“Do you want anything else?” Shanley asked gently after she finished the soup, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
“No,” Juniper shook her head, unable to stomach anything more. “Have you guys eaten?”
Jimmie and Shanley fell silent.
“You should go eat,” Juniper said, glancing at the time. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Jimmie, you go. I’ll stay here with Juniper,” Shanley offered. The food that had been delivered was only for Juniper.
“What about you?” Jimmie countered.
“I have food.” Shanley picked up the tray with Juniper’s leftovers and began to eat. She hadn’t had much of an appetite, so most of it was untouched.
Jimmie, who had been about to suggest Shanley leave so he could take over, was rendered speechless. The old fox was genuinely good to his sister. It made him, her actual brother, feel a little inadequate.
“Alright,” Jimmie finally said, standing up. Knowing his sister needed rest, he relented. “I’ll be in the next room. Call me if you need anything.”
“Bro,” Juniper called out, her voice raspy as she met his gaze. “Where’s Janet?”
“Oh, her?” Jimmie’s smile was laced with suspicion. “Melvin’s taking care of her.”