Chapter 82

After the surgery, Ella was wheeled out. Maria tried to get up to push the hospital bed, but James quickly held her back. He and Cody took over and pushed it into the ward. Ella was still unconscious. Her face was pale, and a bandage covered the snake bite on her lower leg. Maria's heart twisted at the sight. The tears she had managed to hold back started running again. Watching her daughter lying there motionless was pure agony. Hearing Maria sob, James looked at the tiny figure on the bed, worry etched all over his face. A nurse came in to set up an IV and gave Maria some instructions. Maria listened carefully, then anxiously asked, "When will my daughter wake up?" "Within two hours. Don’t worry, she’s stable now." When the nurse left, Maria finally let out a long breath. "What exactly happened? How did Ella get bitten by a snake?" James asked. Cody had booked a VIP room for them—TV, private bathroom, and even a little balcony outside. Maria gently tucked Ella’s blanket around her, b