Elisa could tell she was getting better from all the therapy sessions and daily medications. It was time for her to take off the cast. Finally, she would be able to do a few things by herself. She was tired of being pushed around and helped a lot. Sometimes she couldn't eat as she needed the nurse to feed her, or little things like combing her hair. Having just one functioning hand was stressful.
She knew she was a step closer to her revenge now that Anderson gave her the number. She needed to calm her excitement as she was looking too happy for someone who came to the hospital to take off just her cast. It wasn't like she could walk again, although the doctor said her physical therapy would begin soon.
She couldn't wait until she didn't need someone's help anymore. She was tired of being too reliant on her nurse.
Speaking of her nurse—Mira— Elisa felt something was slightly off her about her. She's been taking too many leaves and has been distracted. This morning, she texted that she would be late, and Elisa had to ask a maid to take care of her needs and take her to the hospital. Elisa needed to know who was an ally and she needed to know if Mira was trustworthy.
She had texted X, the private Investigator Mr Anderson passed to her, but she still needed to see him in person. She could only do that after verifying Mira's authenticity, so she asked X to run a background check on her and question her to check whether she'd be honest with her.
When Elisa got back to her room, Mira was already there, adjusting the bed sheets and setting out the evening pills.
"You look brighter today, ma'am," Mira said, smiling.
"Doctor said you can start physical therapy soon?"
"Something like that," Elisa replied. "He said my hand will take time to regain full strength. But at least I can feed myself now."
"That's good news."
Elisa nodded, pretending to stretch her arm, watching Mira as she worked. She looked tired, and Elisa could spot the eye bags.
"Do you ever get time for yourself?" Elisa asked suddenly.
Mira blinked, surprised. "Me?"
"Yes. You're always here. Don't you have a family waiting for you?"
The woman chuckled softly. "No. No family. No husband. No kids. It's just me."
Elisa tilted her head. "No one at all?"
"Just my patients," Mira said lightly.
Elisa smiled. "You must really love your job, then."
"I do, ma'am" it sounded so genuine..
Elisa let the conversation be. She could only hope she wouldn't have to send her away when X finally replied her..
The next two days,. Elisa began to pay close attention to Mira. The way she jumped when her phone blinked or the overly frequent leaves she takes and her lateness.
Mira was like a live-in nurse, but it didn't feel that way anymore.
…..
Elisa received a message from X. It was probably the outcome of the diggings.
Should she trust her instincts and believe that Mira was not up to no good?
Her subconscious kicked. NO
She grabbed the phone and opened the message. He sent it as a file and she downloaded it, took in a sharp breath before opening it.
Name: Mira Adams
Sex: F
Age: 26
Occupation: Nurse, currently working at Hillridge Hospital
Family; no siblings, parents are late
Marital status: Divorced
Formally married to 47 years old
Mr John Cooper
Detailed; Married at eighteen due to a business deal between her father and Mr John Cooper. Divorced nine months ago due to domestic and verbal abuse
Has a child under a year. The child is currently with a woman named Mrs Sarah White.
Elisa closed the file. She had seen enough.
Her throat tightened.
Why would she lie?
Her mind darted toward darker thoughts. Maybe she was planted by someone — maybe Jake's people, or Ethan's enemies?? Elisa's unease turned to quiet fury.
Later that day, she called Mira back under the pretense of needing her medication. When the nurse arrived, Elisa didn't waste time.
"I know about your son," she said coldly.
Mira froze, her hand still on the tray.
Elisa watched the blood drain from her face. "You lied to me. You said you had no family, no one waiting for you. Why?"
For a heartbeat, Mira said nothing. Then, slowly, she set the tray down and clasped her trembling hands together.
"I didn't mean to lie," she whispered. "I just—"
"Just what?" Elisa cut in sharply. "Wanted to see how much you could hide before I noticed?"
Mira's eyes widened. "No, it's not like that."
"Then what is it?"
The nurse took a shaky breath, her voice breaking. "Because if the hospital finds out… they'll fire me."
Elisa blinked. The anger in her chest faltered, replaced by confusion. "Fire you? For having a child?"
"For lying on my employment form." Mira's voice was small now, fragile. "When I first applied, they had a strict rule — no nurses with dependents, no distractions. They said we needed to be fully committed to long-term patient care. I'd just had my baby. I needed the job, but no one would hire me if they knew. So I said I was never married, and no kids. I thought if anyone found out, I'd lose everything."
She took a shaky breath. "i couldn't tell you because I was scared you would report me. You're… special here. Everyone watches how I handle you. I didn't want to risk it."
Elisa stared at her. All the anger she'd built up dissolved in a slow wave of guilt.
She'd imagined conspiracy — betrayal — when all Mira had done was try to survive.
"Why didn't you just tell me?" Elisa asked quietly.
Mira laughed softly, bitterly. "Because people in your position don't trust people like me. I thought you'd see it as weakness. Or that you'd think I'm distracted." She swallowed hard. "I swear, Miss… I wasn't trying to deceive you. I was just trying to keep my life together."
For a long while, Elisa said nothing.
Mrs already had thoughts running through her mind. It was over. Her job was gone. She was about to tell Mrs Ashley that would leave quietly, when finally, she sighed. "It's alright Mira"
Mira's eyes widened. "Really?" She asked, and Elisa nodded.
Elisa was a little bit relieved that there were still some people with a shred of humanity out there and Mira was someone she could trust.
"Is it because of your child you have been taking leaves?"
"Yes ma'am. He is sick" a tear left Mira's eyes and Elisa was beginning to feel emotional.
"What is his name?"
"Richard" Mira responded..
"Richard will be fine," Elisa assured.
Elisa felt a wave of guilt wash over her as she knew she was still going to test to further confirm she was loyal to her and won't spoil her plans in the future.