The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 53

She had just finished an acupuncture session and needed to gauge exactly how much Yvonne had recovered to determine the next phase of treatment and rehabilitation.

Yvonne bit her lip, her hands gripping the wheelchair armrests, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Her legs felt weak, and her atrophied calves trembled as they touched the ground. The sweat on her brow grew heavier, and her pale face made the onlookers anxious, fearing another failure.

But to everyone’s surprise, this time, Yvonne stood up!

Although she was still a bit unsteady, she was undeniably standing on her own, controlling her body enough to stay upright without falling.

“I… I can stand!” Yvonne’s eyes widened, her voice filled with disbelief and joy. “I can really stand up!”

Leilani smiled, holding her arm to guide her first step. “Yes, just like that. Keep your center of gravity forward.”

Yvonne stumbled slightly but quickly regained her balance. She took two more steps before letting go of Leilani’s hand and standing independently.

“Milford! Look! I can walk!” She turned to her brother, who was standing at the door, tears

welling in her eyes.

Milford strode over, grabbing his sister’s shoulders to support her, his voice hoarse. “…You really can.”

He looked up at Leilani, a storm of emotions in his eyes, before whispering, “Thank you.”

Leilani offered a faint smile. “She’s recovering faster than I expected. With another half-month of rehabilitation training, walking shouldn’t be a problem.”

Yvonne reached out and hugged Leilani, burying her face in Leilani’s chest, her voice muffled. “Leilani, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I might never have stood up again.”

Leilani paused, then gently patted her back. “This is the result of your own hard work.”

Knowing that she wouldn’t be disabled forever, Yvonne was incredibly excited. Later, lying on the treatment bed, she hummed a song and chatted with Leilani.

“Leilani, when I’m fully healed, let’s go shopping together, okay?” Yvonne said expectantly. “I want to buy so many pretty dresses. Nothing looked good when I was in the wheelchair.”

Yvonne began looking forward to attending events with Leilani. Although Leilani often seemed cold, she was always exceptionally patient and gentle with Yvonne, allowing Yvonne to relax and be herself.

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Leilani was naturally willing to accept the invitation. Before the accident, they had been best friends going to school and shopping together had been their norm. Sadly, Tamara had

ruined all of that.

Furthermore, their relationship was complicated now. Even if she cured Yvonne, Gloria and Milford wouldn’t allow Yvonne to associate with her until the truth of the past was fully

investigated.

Thinking of the past, Leilani’s expression dimmed.

Seeing Leilani’s silence, implying she hadn’t accepted the invitation, Yvonne felt a bit dejected. She hesitated before whispering, “Leilani, in the past, were you and my brother…”

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