At that moment, Kendra reached out gently toward Daisie’s exposed hand resting on the blanket.
“Daisie, it’s all my fault. Please don’t be upset anymore, alright—”
“Get away from me!” Daisie snapped, jerking her hand back.
“Ah!” Kendra gasped in fright, stumbling backward on purpose. Her elbow struck the insulated bottle on the bedside table, knocking it over.
The thermos hit the floor with a crash, and boiling water splashed in every direction.
“Kendra!” Willard’s expression changed instantly. Without a thought, he lunged forward, shielding Kendra with his back.
“Ugh!” he grunted as the scalding liquid hit his back, his face tightening in pain.
“Willard! Are you alright?” Kendra cried, clutching his arm in panic.
“I’m fine,” he said through gritted teeth. Ignoring the burn, he looked down to check her anxiously. “What about you? Did you get burned?”
“I… I think my ankle hurts a little…” she whimpered pitifully, lifting her foot ever so slightly.
Willard turned sharply toward the door and shouted, “Doctor! Doctor! Somebody get in here now!”
He didn’t even spare a single glance at the hospital bed behind him.