"What is it?"
"I want them to improve the health insurance for everyone who works with us. They deserve it. They risk their lives to protect us and Beth almost died because her plan wasn't good. I don't want a repeat."
"Their plan is already good, Anna."
"It's not. They didn't want you in that hospital, because of his plan, and..."
"E...?"
"And because they hate you and Henry."
"Anna... This hospital only caters for the upper class. They don't even accept patients on health insurance. It's the most expensive hospital in the region, and many people come from abroad to be treated here. There's no way of making a plan for them to be received here, and as for hating us, we can't change that reality."
"But the receptionist has my plan card."
"They held it just to check the information and make sure I could pay for care here."
"But I paid a hundred thousand dollars just so they'd see us. That's proof enough that I can afford it..."
"Not for them. Their anesthesia syringe is probably that much. But don't think about it anymore. The important thing is that Beth is out of danger."
Anna still wanted to say a few more things, but a nurse came to invite them to pay a quick visit to Beth, who had just woken up from the anesthesia.
When they entered Beth's room, Anna understood what Maxwell was talking about. The luxury there was that of a five-star hotel. Everything was very clean, there was a large, comfortable bed for the patient and another for their companion, the bedding was nice and warm, and the place was as cozy as an apartment. There was a fridge, a cupboard with well laid-out and useful compartments, a counter with a stove and a coffee maker. The bathroom had a whirlpool bath and was equipped with everything to ensure total patient comfort. Anna looked at the companion bed, wanting to lie down and sleep, while Beth absent-mindedly watched the large-screen television with channels for series, soap operas and movies. And a huge space. Which was unusual in hospitals.
Beth smiled when she saw Anna admiring the luxury of the room.
"It was almost worth getting shot just to see that look on your face." She said, smiling. And Anna noticed that there was an assortment of chopped fruit by her bedside.
"Don't talk nonsense, Beth. You scared the hell out of me."
"I was scared too. But that's part of the job. That's what your father pays me for. You don't have to feel guilty." She said when she saw the look on Anna's face. "I'm happy, Anna. Your life is more precious than mine."
"We have the same value, Beth." Anna said and approached the bed. "Don't say such a silly thing again."
"It's all right with me, Anna. I need you to believe that, because I know how you think. You're going to beat yourself up, feeling guilty, but if you weren't someone who needed to be protected, I wouldn't have a job and... I've already lived my dream, Anna. But you're going to need more than the protection I can offer, I don't know what it's going to be like from now on. Whoever shot me aimed for your chest, and at the moment they did, I must have made some sudden movement and acted as a shield. But I'm afraid they'll try again. And you might not be so lucky next time. Whoever did this didn't care about witnesses. We're dealing with someone far too dangerous."
"I'm not going back to school. That's settled."
Beth looked at her sadly and thoughtfully.
"I don't take your point away. I think it's the best option. But I worry that you'll lock yourself away at home out of fear. It'll be like living in a prison."
"But you'll still be at school, Beth." Andressa said with conviction, ignoring what Beth was saying. "And you'll find out who tried to kill me."
Maxwell approached and they began to talk about what had happened. Beth repeated to him everything she had already said to Anna, but in more detail now.
Mr. Lens' questions seemed vague, but they triggered Beth's memory of every moment, and although she almost immediately forgot the things that were in her subconscious and revealed them to Maxwell, she never thought about those strange details again.
Maxwell listened to everything in silence and with a dark look on his face, saying only what was necessary to encourage her to show him what her mind had registered but kept hidden.
The nurse came in to say that Beth needed to rest and ended the visit, waiting with folded arms for Anna and Maxwell to decide to obey. Maxwell and Anna left grumbling.
In a few days, Beth was discharged from hospital and Anna realized, indignantly, that the hospital had charged her a small fortune for the days she had been there. But she didn't complain, because they had saved her life.
Beth announced her marriage to one of the bodyguards a few weeks later, and invited Anna to be her godmother.
"Beth... I have to ask. Aren't you being hasty? I didn't even know you were dating her!"
"I've known him since I got here and we've been together for eleven months now, I just haven't talked to you about it, because you already have too many problems."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes. I do."
"Then I wish you the happiest woman in the world. You deserve it."
Beth's face turned red.
"Thank you."
Anna soon discovered that the customs there were different, and Anna quickly understood that being a godmother meant having an extra exhausting job. Which she did with love. She was happy for her friend who would, along with her happiness, acquire a permanent visa for marrying a native.
...
Time passed, and Ian became more and more attached to his maternal grandfather. Anna didn't take kindly to this, but she couldn't force the child to prefer the company of his grandparents. Her other three children, however, were more attached to their paternal grandmothers, who spoiled them rotten. Even so, her four children would run into Maxwell's arms when he got home.
Anna began to disguise herself so that she could take the children to the city park to play, or even to the mall for an ice cream. Anyone who saw her would think she was just a babysitter. The children didn't like going to the cinema, since they already watched their favorite movies at home.