“Mrs. Anderson, you're finally awake!" Judy was overjoyed to see Ariana conscious.

She quickly fetched the lunchbox, asking, "Are you feeling hungry, Mrs. Anderson?

Please eat something. It's still warm."

Judy carefully adjusted the hospital bed and opened the insulated box. The mouthwatering aroma of pork rib soup wafted in the air.

"This is a special pork rib soup I prepared for you. It's important for you to regain your strength now."

As Judy served Ariana the soup, she voiced her concern, “Just look at your state, running to the hospital day after day. It must be so taxing. No one wishes to shuttle back and forth to a hospital like this. It's truly heart-wrenching to see you in such a state!"

Judy rambled on, her tone laced with worry and compassion.

"And then there's your ankle. I've heard that you need surgery, and that's never a walk in the park. It's truly a misfortune that you've had to suffer so much."

Tears welled up in Judy's eyes, showing her genuine concern for Ariana.

"Madam, I hope you don't think me naive. I may not be versed in a lot of things, but I do realize that you've been having a hard time lately. Once you're discharged, how about we visit the church for a prayer session?"

Ariana sat on the bed, quietly taking in Judy's chatter, a gentle smile on her face all the while.

She didn't find Judy annoying or noisy. Instead, she found this kind of care incredibly comforting, reminiscent of family, of a mother.

Such motherly warmth had been absent from her life for so long that she had grown accustomed to carrying her burdens alone, hardly daring to yearn for a comforting embrace.

“Judy, thank you." Ariana smiled and pulled Judy into a hug.

Caught off guard, Judy's eyes teared up more. She gently patted Ariana's back, sighing, “We're past formalities, dear..."

Ariana's smile broadened. Ever since she became a part of the Anderson family, Judy had consistently been kind to her, regardless of how others treated her.

“By the way, where's Sarah?” Ariana released Judy and asked.

"Miss Flynn was also hospitalized last night, but she got up early for a follow-up check-up."

Ariana nodded, quietly observing Judy as she went about preparing her food, waiting for her to bring up Theodore in conversation.

After all, she knew that Judy genuinely wished for her and Theodore to reconcile, and hence, often praised him in her presence.