Chloe walked clumsily towards the treatment room with a chaotic state of mind and heart. The feelings of love and happiness that she had just experienced were now overflowing, replaced by deep sorrow due to the recent misfortune that befell her husband.
Patricia and Liliana were well aware that Chloe was not doing well, and they decided to continue accompanying her. They did this to keep the pregnant woman away from unwanted stress, fearing it might affect the unborn child.
“It’s okay, dear,” Patricia reassured when the three of them stood right in front of the room where Edward was being treated. “Believe me, your husband will be fine. Mama is very confident that he will recover soon.”
Liliana nodded in agreement. Her hand reached out to push aside a lock of hair covering her son-in-law’s cheek. The tired and sad expression was clearly evident on her face.
“Don’t be sad all the time. Edward will surely wake up, dear. There’s no way he’d willingly leave behind a beautiful wife like you.”
Chloe held back her tears and sought comfort in her mother-in-law’s embrace. It was extremely difficult for her to go through such moments. Amidst her pregnancy, she had to find her husband suffering from a serious accident.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Edward’s friends were still engaged in conversation, discussing the recent events involving the sole heir of the Martin family.
“So, what’s the latest news on Damian? Has he been apprehended?” Kenzi asked Hans.
“I’ve contacted my colleagues there. They said Damian received treatment at a military hospital. After he recovers, he’ll face further punishment,” Hans replied.
Kaivan frowned. “So, he got injured too?”
Hans nodded, taking a deep breath to ease the tightness in his chest. “Bullets from the officers hit his legs and hands. It’s all because Damian tried to shoot back. He even attempted to target me. The guy went way too far.”
“Oh my gosh!” Kaivan exclaimed, his jaw clenched. His eyes showed clear disapproval. “Why wasn’t he shot dead? He clearly endangered everyone. This can’t be allowed to go on like this!”
Hans chuckled softly. Kaivan was right. What Damian did endangered other people’s lives. The guy deserved an appropriate punishment.
“Don’t worry. I’ve coordinated with the legal team Edward appointed earlier to discuss new charges. Besides, Mr. Alexander asked for his nephew to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. He no longer cares about blood relations or family ties between them. Damian crossed the line. He must be held accountable for his actions.”
“So, Edward’s parents are getting involved in dealing with this issue?” Kaivan asked again.
Hans nodded repeatedly. “Even Mrs. Liliana looked so furious. She didn’t accept any form of apology from Damian’s family.”
“If you’re short of a lawyer team, you can use the ones who handle cases in Blackhorse,” Kenzi offered. He had some attorneys he could rely on. “What happened to Edward needs to be followed up immediately.”
“But, by the way…” Richard interrupted the conversation among his friends. It seemed like there was something he wanted to ask. “As far as I remember, Edward was involved in an important project, right? So, who’s handling it now? It could be dangerous if no one takes responsibility for managing the work. His company could face penalties.”
Hans sighed, remembering the significant project that Edward was working on at the moment. Moreover, Edward didn’t have an assistant now. Besides, the project almost failed due to the sabotage carried out by Damian and Nicholas. Fortunately, Alexander Martin’s only child was clever. He was very sensitive to anyone trying to harm him.
“Yes, the project with Emaar Properties, right? Currently, Samuel, Chloe’s assistant, is helping to oversee that project. Luckily, he understands and even has a basic understanding of the ins and outs of the property business like this. With the help of other engineers, Samuel is taking care of all tasks related to Emaar until Edward’s condition improves.”
“Thank goodness…” Richard breathed a sigh of relief. “Then we just have to wait for updates on Edward’s health. Hopefully, that troublemaker wakes up soon.”
Kaivan shook his head, his expression turning grim. “At a time like this, you’re mocking him, Rich. He’s your best friend.”
“He’s your friend too, Kai,” Richard replied. “But regardless, I care about him and worry for him. I hope there will be good news after this. It feels so empty without someone I can fight with like usual.”
Silence ensued for a while. Everyone remained quiet until Kenzi decided to get up from his seat. He checked the time on his wrist and spoke up again.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave now.” He then prepared to leave. “Please inform me immediately if there are any updates about Edward’s condition, Hans.”
Hans nodded in understanding. “Sure, sir.”
****
“Ed… this is the second day you’ve been asleep. Are you having sweet dreams? So much that you don’t want to open your eyes just to see me? You said you love me. Why won’t you wake up?”
Chloe smiled sadly right beside Edward, who was still lying still. It was the second day he had been in the hospital. The doctor had just reassured her that Edward had passed the critical stage, but for some reason, he still hadn’t shown any signs of waking up.
Initially worried, the doctor assured her that Edward was perfectly fine. All of his vital organs were functioning as they should, and there were no signs of complications or concerning abnormalities.
“Based on our observations, your husband has successfully passed the critical stage. Usually, it takes about 24 hours for someone to regain consciousness.”
“Does that mean there’s nothing to worry about?” Chloe asked to make sure.
The doctor nodded. “Yes, that’s correct. Everything seems to be going well. Let’s just pray that Mr. Edward wakes up from his sleep soon. But I’m confident it won’t be long, Mrs. Chloe.”
“Chloe…” From behind, Patricia entered the room and called out, bringing Chloe back from her thoughts. “Don’t you want to eat? As far as Mama remembers, you haven’t eaten anything yet.”
Chloe turned and then shook her head slightly. “Later, Ma. I’m not very hungry right now.”
“My dear…” Patricia interrupted her daughter. “It’s not just Edward you need to take care of. There’s another being that also needs your attention.” Patricia then pointed at her daughter’s clearly showing belly. “Aren’t you worried that your unborn baby might not be getting enough nutrition?”
Chloe took multiple deep breaths. So preoccupied with Edward, she had been neglecting her own health, especially that of her unborn child.
“Alright, I’ll eat after this,” Chloe replied softly. Her face still filled with concern.
Patricia shook her head and responded, “You wait here. Mama will get you some food. After eating, you must rest as well.”
Chloe simply nodded, allowing Patricia to leave and get her some food. Meanwhile, her focus returned to Edward. She continued to squeeze his wrist while occasionally planting kisses on his forehead.
“Please wake up quickly. Didn’t you promise to be by my side until we grow old together? Now, please keep that promise.”
Chloe kept talking as if Edward was merely asleep, listening to all the ramblings she had been sharing with him.
“You need to know, Ed. I’m not feeling nauseous anymore. It seems like our baby understands the condition both of its parents are going through. They’re really smart.”
“Ed… you have to wake up soon. I’m begging you.”
“For a God Shake, I will do anything to be together again.”
Chloe wiped away the tears that fell. It was so sad to see Edward lying still in his sleeping position. Soon after, she kissed the back of her husband’s hand and spoke again.
“If you keep this up, who will take care of me? Who will sleep beside me? Who will hold me until I fall asleep?”
Chloe took a deep breath, feeling that everything she had been doing was in vain. Edward still didn’t respond to her words.
“Or are you doing this on purpose? Are you okay with someone else taking your place? Or do you want to see me being hugged and comforted by another man until I fall asleep? If that’s what you want, I’ll do it right away.”
As she uttered those words, whether it was a coincidence or a miracle, Chloe felt Edward’s fingers slowly move. The next moment, his eyelids began to open slowly.
Realizing this, Chloe was taken aback, and her mind went blank. She watched in awe as Edward started to regain consciousness from his deep sleep.
“Edward…” With tear-filled eyes, Chloe pressed the emergency button located right above the bed. She did this to call the nurses to check on her husband’s condition immediately. Then, without any permission, she immediately hugged him.
“Are you awake?” she asked while sobbing. She couldn’t hold back her tears of happiness at seeing her husband, who had been lying still, now awake. “Why did it take you so long to wake up? I was so worried about you!”
“I’m sorry for making you worry. That’s why…” Edward took a deep breath. “I-I have to wake up,” he said in a slightly shaky voice. His chest clearly showed that he was having difficulty breathing, or maybe it was just because he was still adjusting. “If I’m not mistaken, I heard you wanted to replace me with another man. Is that true?”
While crying, Chloe looked up and chuckled softly. It was funny to hear Edward, who was half-conscious, protest like that.
“If you keep sleeping, I really did consider replacing you with another man.”
Edward smiled faintly and slowly tried to reach for Chloe’s cheek, wiping away the remaining tears there.
“No way!” he said softly but firmly. “You have to step over my dead body if you dare to be taken away from my side.”
Chloe took a deep breath and exhaled slowly to ease the tightness in her chest. The sadness she felt earlier disappeared. It was replaced with a happy and grateful smile. It was as if God had been listening to the prayers she had been offering non-stop.
“I missed you,” Chloe whispered. “Please never leave me like this again. I can’t take it, Ed.”
Chloe didn’t even know when she started falling so deeply in love with him. She couldn’t even determine what made her surrender to the man she once despised so much. Samuel would probably laugh if he saw this moment. Don’t forget that he had been forcing Chloe to let go of the grudge she had been harboring in her heart.
“So…” Edward responded. “Are you afraid of losing me?”
Chloe nodded repeatedly. “Of course. You idiot! Why are you asking like that? If you ever do this again, I’ll seriously find another man who can accompany and protect me.”
Edward smiled again. Still not fully recovered, he tried to respond to his wife.
“I promise this will be the last time I make you worry.”
“Don’t just promise, Ed!” Chloe protested. “Before entering the hospital, you also promised not to leave me.”
“But the fact is, I haven’t left you, right?” Edward interrupted. “I’m still here, with you.”
Chloe nodded and hugged Edward’s still weak body again.
“I love you.”
“My feelings for you have never changed even a bit,” Edward replied.
Shortly after, the doctor and nurses entered the room. They quickly took action to thoroughly examine Edward, who had just woken up from his deep sleep.
“I just want to make sure that Mr. Edward’s condition is very good. There’s nothing to worry about anymore. After this, he can be moved to a regular patient room for further recovery.”
Chloe nodded happily. “That means he only needs to undergo treatment for recovery, right?”
“That’s correct. Maybe in three or four days, your husband can go home,” the doctor confirmed.
They didn’t have to wait long because shortly after, the attending nurses moved Edward. He was finally able to occupy a regular patient room just like any other patient.
The love between Chloe and Edward remained strong even after going through such a difficult time. As Edward recovered, their bond only grew deeper. They cherished each other and appreciated every moment they had together.
With a happy heart, Chloe stayed by Edward’s side, taking care of him and supporting him during his recovery process. They were grateful for the love they shared and the chance to be together again. It was a testament to the strength of their relationship and the power of love to overcome even the most challenging circumstances.