CHAPTER 904: CHAPTER 904 RECOVERY PLAN 2

By evening, Dr. Zigheart arrived at the hospital, while Cindy returned to the hotel to rest and report back to Old Master Avery about Hera’s condition. Coincidentally, Hera’s meal was delivered just as the doctor arrived.

Dr. Zigheart immediately inspected the food to ensure it adhered to the dietary plan he had prescribed. He carefully arranged the dishes on the plate and in the bowl, then tasted each item. Although the flavor was milder than expected, he confirmed that the medicinal properties of the herbs remained intact. Only then did he allow the meal to be served to Hera.

As soon as the food was placed in front of her, Xavier naturally took over and began feeding Hera. Seeing this, Minerva, Liz, and Athena felt their presence was no longer needed in the hospital room. After delivering meals for Xavier and Alexandre, the girls quietly left and returned to the hotel to rest.

The hospital had provided an extra bed for someone to stay and keep an eye on Hera. Alexandre wanted to stay as well, but unlike Xavier, he didn’t hold any official title or position; at best, he was just an acquaintance for now.

So, he couldn’t stay overnight in the room. Still, since it was early, he remained a while longer, gently wiping Hera’s exposed arm with a warm cloth while Dr. Zigheart reviewed her chart.

"Hmm... in two days, once her condition stabilizes, we can discharge her. Then we’ll head home so she can continue recovering there," Dr. Zigheart said.

Alexandre froze the moment he heard those words. He had assumed that Hera’s injuries would keep her in Paris for a while longer. Even if her recovery only took a month, he believed she’d be staying there, and that he’d still have time to be with her, to quietly slip into her life and maybe, just maybe, into her heart.

But hearing that they would soon return to their home country shook him deeply. The thought of her leaving so soon felt like something precious slipping through his fingers. He didn’t even realize his hand had begun to tremble as he gripped Hera’s arm a little too tightly.

Hera winced but held back a sound, simply pursing her lips to endure the pain.

She just couldn’t understand why Alexandre still wanted to be with her, even after knowing she already had more than one lover. Wouldn’t it be better for him to let go now, before falling any deeper?

He could return to the life he had before. Maybe he wasn’t interested in other women right now, but who’s to say he wouldn’t meet someone in the near future, someone who could truly move his heart, someone he could have all to himself?

Besides, they lived in different countries. She never expected him to leave his homeland for her; his roots, his life, everything he built were there. And she wouldn’t leave hers either. Her family’s legacy was deeply rooted in her own country, and her loved ones were there too. So, to Hera, it just didn’t make sense. She didn’t see the point in holding on to something that seemed destined to drift apart.

But deep down, Alexandre knew this wasn’t just stubbornness or fleeting infatuation. As shallow as it might sound, he had fallen in love with Hera at first sight. And as much as love couldn’t be forced, it also couldn’t be controlled, or stopped. That truth left him at a loss. He didn’t want this budding love to end before it even had a chance to grow.

He pressed his lips together, staring quietly at Hera’s hands, uncertain of what to do.

"Alright, we’ll do that. I’ll start arranging the flight schedule for our return," Xavier said, pulling out his phone.

But Dr. Zigheart quickly stopped him. "No need. We already have a private jet waiting at the airport. The captain just needs to file for runway clearance and a time slot. Once that’s approved, we’re good to go," he said.

Xavier froze, his hand hovering above his phone mid-action.

"Right," Xavier murmured. He had almost forgotten that Hera did, in fact, have a private plane. But the aircraft he was thinking of was different. While Hera indeed has her iconic pink jet, she actually had another, lesser-known one, even she wasn’t fully aware of its existence.

This second plane was smaller and lacked the luxurious amenities of the larger one: no private kitchen, no spa, no personal suites or entertainment hubs. However, it was significantly faster, making it ideal for business trips. In contrast, the pink jet was better suited for leisure and comfort.

Dr. Zigheart then turned to Hera, studying her face with a professional calm. "By the way, Young Miss, are you feeling any discomfort? Any allergic reactions to the medication?" he asked, his eyes scanning her exposed skin for signs of rashes or inflammation.

Still, he knew that not all symptoms were visible; breathing difficulties, even mild airway constriction, were just as serious. That’s why he needed her response.

"No, aside from the pain from the fractures, there’s no other discomfort," Hera replied honestly.

In truth, with controlled painkiller intake, she would often wake in a cold sweat from the relentless, throbbing pain in her broken ribs, arms, and legs. The discomfort wasn’t just from the pain; it was also from the sheer lack of mobility.

She couldn’t move on her own; if she needed to go to the bathroom, someone had to assist her. Even shifting slightly in bed to avoid bedsores required help. She couldn’t even scratch an itch beneath her cast.

If they truly wanted to measure her discomfort, it would be a solid ten out of ten.

But Hera understood that no one around her was to blame for her condition, and none of them could magically fix it. So, she kept her temper in check, despite how frustrating and exhausting it was.

Besides, everyone around her was doing their best to accommodate her needs and make things easier. That alone made her feel a little better.

"Alright, Young Miss," Dr. Zigheart began, jotting notes into her file. "Although you’re in a cast, you can move around a little to prevent bedsores. But only with crutches or in a wheelchair, and preferably with someone accompanying you if you go outside for fresh air. From what I can see, your overall condition is good. Still, if moving around is too painful, I recommend staying in bed a little longer until you’ve healed more."

Though Dr. Zigheart wasn’t officially part of the hospital’s staff or Hera’s assigned physician, he had coordinated with her attending doctor and signed a waiver taking full responsibility for her care.

This meant the hospital was no longer liable for any incidents; essentially, they were only providing the space and facilities for Hera’s recovery. Since she was paying for a premium suite and services, the hospital had no objections. In fact, knowing Dr. Zigheart’s credentials, the hospital director was more than happy to have him around. Some of the staff even took the opportunity to observe his rounds and discuss case studies with him, making it a mutually beneficial arrangement.

"Really?! I can go out?" Hera’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "I’d love to get some fresh air, is that okay?"

She had grown restless lying in bed for so long. Her body ached in places she didn’t even know could hurt, and the thought of going outside, even for a short while—was a much-needed boost to her spirit.