"Just stay still," he replied, his tone firm. "If I let go now, you won't just have bruises."
He carefully seated her on a nearby chair. Eden buried her face in her hands, cheeks burning as the crew around them watched. Even Paula and Cynthia had stopped to look, concern flashing across their faces as they noticed her bloodied elbow and knee. Cynthia hurried over, with Paula right behind her, both reaching for Eden as she sat there, flustered and embarrassed.
"Eden! What happened? My gosh, you're bleeding!" Paula's voice was sharp with concern as she knelt beside the girl.
"What happened?" Cynthia asked, her worry evident as she held her daughter's hand, noticing the blood on her elbow and the wound on her wrist.
"I'm okay, Ma—Miss Cindy. I tripped, but I'm fine," Eden said, her voice slightly shaky.
Cynthia's motherly instincts almost made her call out, but she caught herself just in time, glancing briefly at the young man who had brought Eden to them. A fleeting look passed between him and Cynthia, and for a moment, it seemed as if Cynthia herself had noticed his presence, her lips twitching as though fighting a reaction.
"Here, let me see your wounds," Paula said, stepping closer with a first aid kit in hand. "How did this happen? You tripped even though there was nothing to trip over?" She opened a bottle of antiseptic and turned to Cynthia.
"Cindy, it's your scene now. You should go. I'll take care of her," Paula added gently.
Cynthia hesitated, her eyes flicking toward Eden as if torn between duty and concern. Davin caught the subtle hesitation and the brief, almost imperceptible tension in her face—the momentary conflict over whether she wanted to shoot or watch over Eden. He realized then that he was witnessing something deeper: the mother's instinct quietly surfacing.
"Mister, thank you," Paula said, turning to Davin.
"It's my pleasure. I'll go fix the boxes," he replied, stepping away to tend to the scattered supplies. Eden watched him go, noting in her mind that he didn't even recognize her. He doesn't know me, she thought, a pang of disappointment mixing with curiosity.
"Do you know him?" Paula asked, turning back to Eden.
"No," the girl answered quickly, brushing away the thought.
"Careful now," Paula murmured as she dabbed a cotton ball soaked in alcohol over Eden's elbow, making the girl wince.
"Aw, take it Easy, Aunt Paula." Eden complained, flinching slightly.
"Sorry. You were walking carelessly," Paula replied with a faint smile.
"I didn't notice the stones on the ground," Eden said quietly.
"Was it Nancy again?" Paula asked, looking up.
"And what about me?" Nancy interjected, stepping closer. She froze at the sight of Eden being tended to by Paula, her lips parting in surprise.
"And when did you become the personal nurse for Cindy's assistant? Of all the new people here, you—"
"Stop it, Nancy," Paula interrupted sharply.
"What?" Nancy exclaimed, incredulous.
"I said stop it," Paula repeated firmly, finishing up by applying bandages to Eden's wrist, elbow, and knee. She then stood, meeting Nancy's challenging gaze head-on. Nancy stepped back, unspoken tension lingering in the air.
"I understand you're angry at the world," Paula said quietly, eyes locked on Nancy. "But I don't understand why you take that anger out on others. Look at what you made her do—she's made to carry so many things she shouldn't have to."
"That's her job," Nancy snapped. "What, is she complaining? Am I giving her duties beyond her role? No. She's just weak and clumsy." Paula's jaw tightened at the words; her fists curled as rage rose in her. She wanted to strike the woman standing before her. Eden's fingers closed around her hand and squeezed, a small, steadying pressure that stopped Paula from moving.
"Have you finished your break? You should get back to work," Nancy added, turning her glare toward Eden.
"No," Paula answered for her.
"What? Paula, don't be so obvious in taking sides," Nancy scoffed. "Everyone notices. You're overly protective of her—you make yourself look ridiculous."
"Let them notice," Paula said coldly. "I am her godmother. I brought her into this job. I am responsible for her."
"Well then you should have kept her locked away somewhere nobody could see. That way people wouldn't get tired of her. Would you agree?" Nancy replied, venom sharp in her voice.
Paula opened her mouth, but Eden intervened. "I'm fine now. I can go back to work." She rose and gave Paula a small, grateful nod.
"See? She's fine," Nancy said triumphantly. Paula only bit back her reply and watched Eden move away.
"Consider this your warning," Paula said softly as Nancy turned to leave. "Stop making her life harder. Karma may come back to you."
"I'm not doing anything to merit karma," Nancy shot back, then stalked off.
Paula exhaled, the tightness in her shoulders refusing to ease. "My patience with her is almost gone," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.