The autumn wind blew outside the floor-to-ceiling tinted glass window of the Victorian-style bedroom where Daphne lay unconscious .
"She's breathing "said the doctor
Dale finally let go of the breath he had been holding for a while now.
"She has lost a lot of blood and some of her bruises could have been infected but lucky for her,that is not the case " he paused checking her pulse.
"Her heart rate is still a bit low but she will recover with a good diet and some time "
"Also you should have some maids be assigned to her bath times so her wounds can be cleaned properly to avoid infection "
"Do these and you should be fine "he said with a smile.
Dale stared at her intensely seemingly in deep thoughts
Then a refined looking young man in a suit walked in and looked around the room with a confused expression on his face.
"What's going on here Grandpa?" He asked in confusion
"I found this girl at the site of an explosion where she was abandoned to die. I hope you don't mind " Dale said in a flat tone still staring at the bed obviously wrapped up in a world of his own thoughts.
The young man walked towards the bed and finally looked at her. He was shaken to his core.
"Is she even alive?" he asked with a worried look.
"What do you think "Dale replied in a flat tone earning a stifled chuckle from the doctor behind him..
The young man looked at them with shock and confusion written all over his face.
Not able to hold it in anymore the doctor finally explained to him "Her injuries were severe but treatable, she broke a few minor bones and was bruised all over her skin but with a good diet and some rest she will be fine in a few months." He said in one breath.
The young man glanced at the girl in the bed once again and sighed saying "Dinner will be ready soon" and finally left the room directly.
Dale turned to the family doctor Smith saying "How about you join us for dinner tonight ,it's late after all."
"Oh no , don't bother about it".
"I promised to prepare dinner tonight for my family. I'm sure they're holding pitchforks at the door by now " he said with a chuckle
"In that case, have a goodnight Smith "He said with a smile and bid him farewell .
After about thirty minutes Dale finally went down for dinner .
He was welcomed by the scene of his nephew staring at his plate seeming almost confused.
"Too much?" He asked with a smile.
Asher just shook his head in response, finally digging in.
They both sat there eating in silence .
Although the silence was short-lived.
Asher suddenly snapped and dropped his cutlery with a clatter and looked up at Dale.
Dale slowly met his gaze and raised his eyebrows in a questioning manner.
Then Asher spoke.
"Uncle, Are you sure you want to have a stranger in your house in this state ?"
"Are you even sure she is alive ?"
"What if she dies in your house ?"
"What are we going to do ?"
He asked barely breathing in-between questions. Then Dale replied curtly,
"Why don't we just do as the doctor says for a week , then if we don't see any progress we can give her to the police or something ."
"Sounds good ?" Dale asked
"I just want you to be careful uncle , for all we know she could be dangerous"
"After all those kidnappers knew she was worth something to hold onto her even when faced with annihilation"
"Fine" Dale said with a sigh and shook his head