Beverley heaved a sigh of relief after hearing the doctor''s reassessment, "That''s great news. Should we get some medicine, just in case?"


    The doctor shook his head, "She''s in fine shape for a pregnant woman. What she needs isn''t medication, but rest. Take her home and let her rx." Beverley couldn''t help but grimace.


    It dawned on her that Millie had made a mountain out of a molehill, causing unnecessary rm.


    Milliey in the hospital bed, feeling a bit sheepish.


    She had panicked over some indigestion and severe bellyaches, fearing the worst, only to find out at the hospital that it was nothing serious.


    Beverley took a deep breath, deciding to bite her tongue for the sake of her future grandchild.


    Upon entering the room, she couldn''t resist issuing a warning, "You better keep it together and stop making a fuss over nothing- or else you know the consequences!"


    Millie shrank back, barely whispering, "I understand."


    With a stern look, Beverley stormed off.


    After a busy period in theb, Roseanne unexpectedly received a call from Ms. Payne.


    She was invited over to her ce the following week for an introduction, but Roseanne sensed something was off in Ms. Payne''s usual lively tone, and curiously, why next week when she was avable this week? "Sure," she agreed verbally but decided to take the subway over that afternoon, quietly.


    Thest time she was there, tending to the flowers, Madeleine Payne had insisted she keeps a spare key for convenience, stating she was wee anytime.


    This visit proved the perfect opportunity to use it.


    Upon opening the door, a faint scent of herbal remedies greeted her. She was about to announce her arrival when the housekeeper, surprised eximed, "Roseanne? What brings you here today? Ms. Payne mentioned you''de by next week."


    "Pauline, who is it?"


    ом


    Hearing themotion, a figure slowly approached, leaning on a cane.N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Roseanne''s concern deepened, "So, this is why you didn''t want me over this week?"


    Madeleine looked a bit guilty, her n to dy the visit had inadvertently raised suspicions.


    "Ah, it''s just the same old issues, nothing serious. Just a re-up of arthritis, I was at the hospital a few days ago. It''ll pass in a couple of days."


    "How can arthritis severe enough to require a cane be a minor issue that resolves in days?" Roseanne countered.


    Madeleine, unable to dodge the concern, coughed tactically.


    Pauline, ever cheerful, interjected, "I''ll leave you two to chat. I''m going to tidy up the kitchen and bring some fresh fruit."


    Once alone, Roseanne didn''t hold back, rolling up Madeleine''s trouser leg to reveal a significantly swollen calf, especially around the joint.


    She was genuinely upset, "You said you saw a doctor. Which hospital? Who was the doctor? I want to have


    a word with them about this ''not serious, will get better in a few days'' diagnosis."


    Madeleine resigned, "Alright, alright, you caught me skirting the issue. I admit, I refused the hospital visit and just got some prescriptions. Happy now?"


    "As we age, our bodies remind us in various ways. If I spent all my time in hospitals, wouldn''t that be a waste?"


    "I didn''t want to worry you, which is why I kept it from you. But you''re too smart for your own good, nothing gets past you."


    She patted Roseanne''s head


    affectionately, her eyes twinkling


    with mirth, "If it were you, you''d likely


    do the same. There''s far more


    intrigue in theb than in a hospital


    ward, right?"