Chapter 5
Annabelle felt something within her shatter the moment she heard those words from Nathan. A piercing pain spread through her chest, making it painful to even breathe.
Soon, Evelyn was wheeled into the operating theater.
Nathan slowly closed his eyes as his hands dropped limply. The Holter monitor emitted a shrill alarm.
Nathan’s friends were terrified out of their wits and kept shaking Annabelle desperately, urging her to do something.
Pulling herself together, Annabelle made a call to one of her friends from Ivory Bay. She remembered that her friend had an uncle who’d once been a hospital director in Vexford. He was highly experienced. The only catch was that he’d long since retired.
When her friend heard of the situation, she immediately got Annabelle to transfer Nathan over to another hospital, assuring Annabelle that she’d get her uncle to perform the surgery.
The doctors and nurses sprang into action, placing Nathan back into an ambulance while continuing emergency treatment en route to the other hospital.
Ten minutes later, Nathan was wheeled into an operating theater.
Annabelle stood outside all night. Her mind was blank, and she bit her lower lip so hard it bled.
The lights in the operating theater finally went out at daybreak.
“The operation was a success.”
Hearing the hospital director’s words, Annabelle felt all the strength drain from her body. She let out a heavy breath, and her legs gave way as she collapsed, losing consciousness.
…
At noon the next day, Annabelle woke up to see a nurse removing her IV.
“Your boyfriend’s surgery was a success. He’s already out of the ICU, so don’t worry.”
Annabelle pressed on where the needle had been injected and asked the nurse for the number of the room Nathan was in. Then, she dragged her weak body out of bed.
She’d just reached the room when she heard an argument inside.
“Nate, we’ve already told you that Evie is fine. Why are you insisting on getting transferred to the hospital she’s in? You were in critical condition and just got out of surgery. What if something happens to you again?”
“Exactly! Do you have any idea how many calls Annabelle had to make to save your life yesterday? Stop causing trouble. Evie’s injuries aren’t even as serious as yours. It won’t make much of a difference if you go and see her a few days later!”
Everyone was trying to talk him out of it, but Nathan took no heed of anything they said.
“No! Even though I shielded Evie during the accident, she still got hurt pretty badly. I won’t be at ease unless I see her personally.”
Annabelle listened in silence before pushing the door open. Everyone in the room turned to look at her in unison. Even Nathan was stunned for a moment. A complex emotion flashed across his face.
Annabelle cut in without giving him a chance to speak. “I know that I’m not your family, and I have no right to decide whether you stay or get a transfer. If you insist on getting transferred, I’ll call Daphne, and she’ll most likely be able to get here this afternoon. You’ll just need to wait for a couple of hours.”
Her tone was calm and even, but Nathan felt deeply uncomfortable hearing it. He chased everyone else out of the room, then grabbed her hand, scrambling to explain.
“If anything had happened to Evie when she was in my car, I would’ve felt guilty for the rest of my life. That’s the only reason why I insisted on saving her first yesterday. You’re as important to me as Daphne and my parents. I never meant to say anything that would hurt you.”
Annabelle could no longer tell when he was telling the truth.
She really wanted to ask him—if she was as important as his family, then what about Evelyn? What place did she hold in his heart?
But she didn’t ask in such a straightforward manner. Instead, she chose a different approach. “Nathan, do you want to live? Or rather, do you value your life?”
Nathan was puzzled by her sudden question. He hesitated and nodded. “Of course.”
