Chapter 318
The chatter in the hospital room gradually quieted as all eyes turned to William Cooper. The gazes of those present were filled with envy—someone had actually come all this way just to visit him.
"You two catch up. I'll go check with the doctor," Luna White said tactfully, rising to her feet. She could tell William became as stiff as a child caught misbehaving whenever she was around.
Before leaving, she couldn't resist glancing back at him. This young man had surprised her. Henry had told her William had left home to repay her for saving his life—to earn money for her dowry and protect her.
Yet in the end, she'd ended up rescuing him again.
Warmth bloomed in Luna's chest, but seeing William's nervous demeanor, she wondered: Had she been too harsh?
The moment the door closed, William exhaled in relief.
"What's with you? You act like Luna's some kind of ghost," Henry teased as he poured water for his brother. The enamel mugs in the room were standard issue—this mining disaster had alarmed provincial authorities, and all victims' medical expenses were being covered by the police.
Who could have imagined over thirty bodies had been buried in that illegal mine? Now the ringleader, Boss Victor Shaw, had been arrested, along with Hank Miller, who'd previously evaded capture.
"Bro, I'm just ashamed to face her," William muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Came here to repay her, only to get rescued by her again..."
Henry glared. "You're lucky Luna's fiancé, Instructor Andrew Smith, stepped in. What good would my telegram have done alone? I told you not to go running off! Couldn't you repay her by working hard back home?"
His voice cracked mid-sentence. He'd nearly lost his little brother forever.
"Henry, I'm fine," William said, gripping his brother's trembling hand. "A man's got to see the world. How else do you gain perspective without facing hardships?"
"Perspective?" Henry snapped. "What were you going to do out here? Should've stayed and learned trucking with me! Transport pays well these days—"
"Henry!" William cut him off. "I'm not a kid anymore. Surviving this... I know exactly what I want now."
Outside the door, Luna listened quietly, her lips curving unconsciously. This barely-educated young man had broader horizons than most college graduates. To self-rescue in such dire circumstances—William was truly remarkable.
She pushed the door open, and both brothers fell silent.
"William," Luna got straight to the point. "Who sent that distress telegram for you?"
William brightened. "I was just about to tell you! A girl named Sally Wilson helped me. Dr. White, could you thank her for me?"
Luna shook her head. "We'll go together tomorrow when you're discharged. That kind of debt deserves personal gratitude."
It struck her how many good people she'd met since her reincarnation. This world felt less frigid than her previous life.
"Don't call me Dr. White," she said with a smile. "We're family now. What saved you wasn't me—it was your own courage."
William's ears turned red like a praised schoolboy.
As she left, Luna arranged with Henry to pick them up the next day. Turning away, she caught the determined glint in William's eyes—this young man would go far.