Chapter 152
Just then, a team of doctors rushed over from the outpatient wing, their expressions grim and hurried.
The lead physician spoke quickly, “There appears to be cerebral contusion–internal bleeding in the brain. The situation is urgent. Please check if the OR is available immediately. We need to operate on her head as soon as possible.”
Cleo felt her heartbeat spike. For some reason, an overwhelming sense of dread crept in. She silently prayed, ‘Please don’t let them be talking about Maxine…‘
But in the very next second, a nurse burst out from the emergency room and called out loudly, “Family of Maxine? Is Maxine’s family here?!”
Sebastian shot up from his seat. “Here!”
The nurse hurried over with a stack of forms in hand. “Come with me. The doctors need to explain her condition to you in detail.”
Cleo’s eyes instantly turned red. She wanted to follow, but Sebastian turned and gestured for her to stay put. “Watch the kids.”
He was right. Both children were old enough to understand what was happening, and Maxine’s condition was now far beyond what they should be exposed to. This wasn’t the time to let emotions cause more chaos.
Cleo nodded and stayed by their side, watching as he followed the nurse into the room.
Inside, the doctor’s expression was grave. He motioned for Sebastian to sit and placed several scan results and reports in front of him. “You’re Maxine’s husband, correct? These are her most recent scans. I won’t sugarcoat it–they’re not good. Standard emergency care is no longer effective. At this point, surgery is her only chance.”
He paused, then added heavily, “But we all know–once she goes into that operating room… there’s no guarantee she’ll come out.”
Sebastian’s hands curled into tight fists. “Is surgery absolutely necessary?”
The doctor nodded. “It’s her only shot.”
Sebastian’s voice trembled as he reached for the consent form. “Then I’ll sign. Please… do everything you can to bring her back. I-” His voice caught in his throat, his eyes reddening. “I still owe her so much. There are things I haven’t done… words I haven’t said…”
Apologies that had never reached her. Promises he hadn’t yet kept./
The doctor nodded and left swiftly with the paperwork. Sebastian stood there for a moment, gathering himself, before finally walking out of the room.
Cleo rushed up with the two children in tow. “How is she?”
Sebastian shook his head, voice heavy. “The doctors say her condition’s extremely serious. She needs surgery right away.”
Cleo’s face twisted with worry. “But is she even strong enough for surgery in her condition?”
Sebastian said quietly, “They said they’ll do their best
At that, Cleo lost it. “This is how you treat Maxine? Knowing what shape she’s in and you’re still-”
Before she could finish, Sebastian cut her off, his voice low but firm. “It’s her only option. Right now, we have to trust the doctors.”
“You!” Cleo’s voice cracked with emotion.
But she knew… he was right.
She stepped forward, tears brimming in her eyes, and jabbed a finger at his chest. “Sebastian, do you even understand what decision you’ve made? If she stays like this, even unconscious… we could at least see her for a few more days.”
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Chapter 152
“She wouldn’t want that,” Sebastian said, locking eyes with her.
Cleo couldn’t take it anymore. She slid down the wall, burying her face in her arms as sobs wracked her body.
Once surgery began, Sebastian and Cleo remained outside the operating room. The two children refused to leave.
Cleo had originally wanted to send them home to rest, but Jessica clung to her neck, crying so hard she could barely speak. “Cleo, I don’t want to go. want to wait for Maxine to come out.”
Hér wails were heart–wrenching. Brian stood silently by the wall, fists clenched, refusing to move as well. Seeing their determination, Cleo had no choice but to let them stay.
AD
