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.
"But it's all worth it for you. A few scrapes are nothing. Besides, Daniel was there looking out for me the whole time, so you really don't need to worry."
"Is that so? Then I really should thank him properly."
I lowered my head so she wouldn't see the contempt curling at the corner of my mouth.
Did she think I was a fool?
Lies that clumsy might have worked once. Even twice. But three times, four times? I'd injured my kidney, not my brain.
"You're right, we really should thank Daniel properly."
As Bella spoke, her right hand drifted unconsciously to her lower belly, her eyes soft with a sweetness that had nothing to do with me.
"Honey, I have a suggestion. Tell me what you think?"
I nodded. "Go ahead."
"Well..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "Here's what I was thinking. Daniel's been my personal assistant for a year now. He knows every aspect of how the company operates. So I'd like to promote him to Director of the General Manager's Office. And to give him a real sense of belonging, I want to reward him with fifteen percent of the company's shares."
My expression didn't change.
Director of the General Manager's Office. Fifteen percent of the company. Quite the generous package.
"Sure," I said. "But where would that fifteen percent come from?"