The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

For over ten years, Fiona had been confined to a wheelchair, grappling with the relentless pain and despair that followed the devastating car accident. The long, arduous path of seeking medical treatment had left her physically and emotionally drained.

By this point, she had come to terms with her disability, resigned to living the remainder of her life seated in that wheelchair.

Once, Fiona had been a woman of society, someone who took great pride in her appearance and grace. But after the accident, she concealed her damaged legs beneath layers of clothing, fearful that her husband and children might recoil in disgust or pity.

Bearing that heavy burden, Fiona had endured countless hardships over the years. Yet today, her daughter—whom she had lost contact with for so long—brought news that there might be a way to heal her legs.

In that instant, a spark of hope flickered within Fiona’s heart, fragile but unmistakable, like a weary traveler in the desert finally spotting a distant oasis shimmering on the horizon.

Her voice trembled as she whispered, “Nova… are you serious?”

Both Hannah and Maxwell exchanged stunned glances, their surprise evident.

Nova nodded simply. “Yes.”

With hesitant hands, Fiona finally revealed the legs she had hidden away for more than a decade. They lay motionless, as if deflated—skin stretched thin over bones, marked by deep, jagged scars left by the crash. The sight was harrowing.

Years of immobility had caused severe nerve damage in her thighs, resulting in profound muscle wasting. Her legs were gaunt and fragile, a stark reminder of the accident’s cruel toll.

“Nova… I’ve made my peace with this,” Fiona murmured, instinctively pulling her pants back down to cover the scars, her face clouded with uncertainty. “Please… don’t push yourself.”

Nova crouched down, studying the legs carefully. Meeting the hopeful eyes of Hannah and Maxwell, she spoke bluntly, “The nerves are badly damaged. The injury is too severe. I can’t heal this.”

Though Nova was skilled, she was not all-powerful. Some wounds were beyond her reach—this was one of them.

Her medical knowledge was born from necessity, the survival skills of a mercenary. She excelled at bandaging wounds, stemming bleeding, and managing life-threatening injuries until proper medical care was available.

She had even learned to extract bullets without anesthesia in the field, to prevent deadly infections.

Her expertise was tailored to survival and battlefield triage, not complex rehabilitation. While she might have tackled minor leg injuries, Fiona’s condition was far beyond what she could mend. She was powerless here.

Frustration boiled over in Hannah’s voice. “Nova! Are you doing this on purpose? First, you say you can fix her, and now you say you can’t? Do you even understand how much this hurts Mom? You just don’t get it! Can’t you think before you speak?”

Tears welled in Hannah’s eyes as she stared at the ruined legs, especially after witnessing the fragile hope flicker and fade from Fiona’s face. Her anger was raw and fierce.

Just as Hannah was about to continue her outburst, Fiona gently placed a hand on her daughter’s arm. “Hannic, don’t scold Nova. I’m okay. She meant well.”

“Hannie—” Maxwell began, his voice unsteady.

Nova interrupted softly, “I can’t heal it, but someone else can.”

Her words reignited a fragile flame of hope in all three. Fiona gripped the arms of her wheelchair tightly, her eyes shining with newfound anticipation. “Really?”

His voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.

Nova replied calmly, “When is it?”

Victor, sensing her agreement, quickly answered, “Next Saturday evening, at The Oceanfront.”

Nova nodded thoughtfully. “Understood. Anything else?”

Victor shook his head. “No, that’s everything.”

As Nova rose to leave, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Frowning slightly, she pulled it out.

The screen displayed an unknown number from Xylem. It was Ghost-Hammer—her former comrade and now acting leader of the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps in her absence.

Nova had made sure Ghost-Hammer had a way to reach her in emergencies. She thought, *This guy must have just finished a battle and can’t wait to brag.*

Without trying to hide it from Victor, Nova answered the call.

A rough, masculine voice came through, lively and upbeat. Ghost-Hammer sounded exhilarated. “Boss, I just pulled out of the Ase Conflict—blew the enemy away with a rocket launcher. Those cowards were terrified. Pathetic!”

He chuckled. “Finally escaped that hellhole and had to call you immediately. By the way, something huge happened in this battle. It involves you! Where are you in Zoria? I’m flying to you now.”