"A friend."
"Oh."
She nodded and didn't press further. She tossed the towel onto the couch, walked over to me with her hair still half-damp, and put on an expression full of guilt.
"I'm sorry, honey. This trip abroad didn't turn up any new treatments for you either. I know that's not what you wanted to hear."
My gaze dropped to the waterproof bandage on her knee. My voice stayed even.
"You got hurt at the hospital again?"
Ever since Bella had hired Daniel Donaldson as her assistant a year ago, she'd been flying overseas with him several times a month, always claiming she was searching for a way to treat my condition.
Every time she came back, her knees were either scraped raw or mottled with bruises.
When I asked what happened, the first few times she wouldn't meet my eyes, mumbling that she'd tripped at the hospital. After that, she grew bolder about it.
This time was no different.
"Yeah, the good hospitals overseas are so crowded. Honey, you have no idea, those people have zero manners. I got shoved and fell down multiple times."
Bella's face was full of indignation. Then, just as quickly, she flashed me a bright smile.