Caspian did not need to ask where Maya had gone because she had already told him before she left. She had said she was going to the hospital, that her mother was admitted, and that the doctor had called her. At the time, he had allowed her to leave without questioning it, but that did not mean he ignored what he had seen. The way she stood in front of him and the way she spoke stayed in his mind because it did not match how she usually carried herself, and even though he did not address it then, he had noticed it clearly.
Now, it was no longer something he would leave alone. He called Kai, and when Kai stepped forward, he simply said that Maya had gone to the hospital and that her mother was admitted, then added that he wanted full details. Kai understood immediately without needing anything else explained and nodded, confirming he would handle it. Caspian reminded him to keep his distance and make sure she did not notice, and Kai acknowledged before leaving without delay.
Caspian returned to the documents on his desk, but his attention did not stay there for long. His thoughts had already shifted, and he was no longer focused on work. He had seen situations like this before, and he understood what they usually meant. When pressure like that appeared, it always led to decisions, and those decisions changed things.
At the hospital, Maya sat beside her mother's bed, her hands resting quietly in her lap while she tried to stay calm. The room was quiet, but her mind was not. The sound of the machines and the slow movement outside the room made everything feel heavier, and when she looked at her mother, she could see the difference clearly. Her mother looked weaker than before, and even though Maya tried not to react, she could not ignore it completely.
Her mother spoke softly, telling her she came early, and Maya gave a small nod as she replied that she had finished what she needed to do, even though it was not entirely true. When her mother said she looked tired, Maya answered that she was fine, but the response did not convince her. She adjusted the blanket gently, keeping her hands busy so she would not sit still long enough for her thoughts to take over.
The conversation shifted to school, and her mother told her not to miss classes, reminding her that her future mattered. Maya responded that she was managing it, but she knew that was not true because her classes were already slipping, and her assignments were still waiting. Her mother added that she did not want Maya to lose her future because of her, and Maya answered that she was just handling things, even though she understood she was already making choices that would affect her later.
Outside the room, Kai stood at a distance, observing quietly. He had followed her without being noticed, just as he was instructed, and he had seen her enter the hospital and move through the hallway before identifying the room she went into. He did not get too close and did not interrupt, choosing instead to watch carefully and understand the situation before acting.
After confirming where she was, he moved toward the doctor's office and knocked before stepping inside. The doctor looked up, confused at first, but when Kai asked for information about Maya, there was hesitation. Kai placed a card on the table, and that hesitation disappeared immediately. The doctor explained the situation in detail, including the condition, the urgency of treatment, and the cost involved. Kai listened without interruption, taking in everything before giving a brief nod and leaving once he had what he needed.
Back inside the room, Maya remained seated beside her mother, who had fallen asleep. She leaned back slightly, her eyes tired as her thoughts became louder again. She began calculating silently, thinking about her salary, her school fees, and the hospital bill, but no matter how she arranged it in her mind, it did not make sense. The numbers did not match what she had, and the gap between them felt too wide.
She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again, forcing herself to stay steady. She knew she could not allow herself to break down there, not in front of her mother, so she held everything in and kept her expression calm even when her thoughts were not.
Outside the hospital, Kai made the call. When Caspian answered, he gave a clear report, stating that Maya was at the hospital, that her mother required treatment soon, and that the cost was high. There was a brief pause on the other end, and when Caspian asked about the cost again, Kai confirmed it without adding anything unnecessary because he knew it was already understood.
After the call ended, Caspian stood by the window in his office, looking out at the city while processing the information. Medical treatment, financial pressure, and limited time were all factors he recognized, and he knew exactly what situations like that led to. His expression did not change, but his decision had already begun forming.
Back in the hospital room, Maya stood up slowly and adjusted the blanket again before looking at her mother for a moment longer. She knew she needed to speak to the doctor again to understand everything clearly, even if she already knew it would not be easy. When she stepped out into the hallway, her steps were steady, but her thoughts were not, and as she walked forward, she knew that everything had changed in a way she could no longer ignore.