The Traps of the Black Swan

148

At M hospital,

Ruby Jane no longer had plans to consult a doctor. She didn't want Lisa to feel she didn't trust him and his treatment. So her priority was to look for Lara before handling Naomi.

She had just reached the reception, the receptionist greeted her, "Miss Evans." She greeted another receptionist who was attending; a different person faintly smiled at Ruby Jane with a nod to greet her.

Ruby Jane asked politely, "May I know the ward number of Lara Dalton?"

"Give me a minute, Ms. Evans. I will check the log." The receptionist respectfully responded before looking at the computer screen.

Before the receptionist could respond, a male voice interrupted, "Excuse me... Ms. Moon?"

Ruby Jane turned to the source of the voice to see Lara's father who looked worn out but his eyes held the gratitude which wasn't for her but Lisa, "Mr. Dalton..."

The receptionist who was confused hearing Moon did her duty, "Ms. Evans, Ms. Lara Dalton is in VIP room 9." She didn't bother mentioning the floor number as Ruby Jane was aware of the whole hospital layout.

"Thank you, have a good day." Ruby Janev politely responded and took steps towards the elevator as Lara's father walked with her.

"I am sorry, Ms. Evans. Lara always addressed you as 'Aunt Moon.' so we always... " He paused mid-sentence and sighed a long one.

He and his wife realized that they always focused on the future and to give everything best for their daughter, they eventually neglected their own daughter that they didn't even know the lady's name their daughter loved playing with.

Ruby Jane could see he was repenting his actions so even though she was angry at him and his wife, she didn't rub salt. And who was she to them? An outsider so she just advised.

"Mr. Dalton, I am not sure if you can understand Lara but I do, I really do. The best school, branded clothes, amazing car, a nanny, lots of toys..." Ruby Jane shook her head looking at her reflection on the elevator door. "These aren't the things she needs. She needs your attention and love. You might be working hard for her, what is the use of it if you can't give her your time?"

Mr. Dalton who never bothered to speak to Ruby Jane when she was playing with Lara always thought she had nothing better to do or time passed with Lara. His head hung low in guilty hearing her.

He followed her silently to the ward carrying Lara's clothes.

Ruby Jane heard Lara crying unknowingly quickened her footsteps and entered the ward. Her heart winced looking at her head wrapped in thin layer bandage, her little face having many scratches, both hands were in a plaster cast, her knuckles had dried injuries, her knees wrapped in bandages.

The nurse was standing helpless, Mrs. Dalton was coaxing her to take the injection. Lara had no strength to move her hands and the pain was causing her to cry continuously.

Ruby Jane's hand trembled by recalling how men had tortured her physically. The pain felt raw looking at Lara.

Ruby Jane quickly composed when Lara cried aloud seeing a nurse holding a syringe. She was already in pain, Ruby Jane could imagine how the slightest thing would scare Lara.

"May I, Mrs. Dalton?" Ruby Jane's soft voice was barely audible.

Lara looked at Ruby Jane in her blurry vision but she couldn't see properly. She wanted to rub her tears but couldn't move her hands which led her to cry breathlessly.

Mrs. Dalton who was also weeping stepped away looking at Ruby Jane's downcast eyes.

Ruby Jane left her bag aside and pulled a few pieces of tissue and dabbed Lara's face to dry her tears, "Where is my Little Angel? Did she forget me?"