Chapter 1521
Barbara’s face lit up. “Better than ever! I don’t remember the last time I felt this good.”
“Glad to hear it.” Belinda reached out to gently ruffle Barbara’s hair. “In a few days, I want to see you walking.”
Barbara grinned and saluted playfully. “Yes, ma’am!”
Belinda turned toward Nalani, ready to discuss a few post-care instructions. But before she could utter a word, a sharp voice rang out, slicing through the warm atmosphere like a blade.
“You’re Barbara’s doctor?”
Belinda turned toward the voice. It was Tamara who had just spoken.
“I am,” Belinda replied calmly.
Tamara’s gaze dropped to the ID badge clipped neatly to Belinda’s coat. Her brows furrowed deeply. “An attending physician?” she said, her tone laced with contempt. “How could this be happening? How could someone like you be entrusted with my granddaughter’s care?” Her voice rose a pitch. “This hospital is not taking my family seriously! Call the director of the hospital over now!”
“Mom!” Nalani interjected, stepping forward in haste. “Please, let this go. We’re more than satisfied with Dr. Wright’s care.”
Tamara snapped her head toward Nalani, her eyes sharp as glass. “Satisfied? Satisfied with what, exactly? She’s just an attending physician! And this is who you trust with Barbara’s life?”
Her tone was filled with disdain and dissatisfaction toward Belinda. Belinda’s expression instantly turned cold.
“Mom! What on earth are you saying? That was completely out of line!” Nalani snapped, her tone sharper than usual as she turned toward Belinda with an apologetic expression. “Dr. Wright, please accept my apologies. Don’t take my mother’s words to heart.”
Belinda gave a small, composed nod, but before she could speak, Barbara interjected from the bed with a firm voice, “It’s my treatment, not yours. I want Dr. Wright to be my physician. It’s none of your business!”
Her tone was pointed, brimming with defiance, showing no respect for Tamara.
“You!” Tamara’s face twisted in fury; she was clearly unprepared for Barbara’s direct challenge.
Just then, a calm yet commanding male voice cut through the tension. “Mom, you came here to visit Barbara, not to dictate things.”
It was Elwood. His presence added weight to the moment, and his stance left no room for argument.
Tamara’s face turned red with anger. “Isn’t this something? You think you can all defy me now? Is that it?”
Recognizing that the situation had spiraled into personal territory, Belinda knew it was her cue to step away. With poise, she turned to Nalani and said, “Mrs. Wright, you can talk to me about Barbara’s situation later in my office.”
Nalani inclined her head gratefully. “Yes, of course.” Without another word, Belinda turned to leave.