Chapter 266 Critical Condition
Elizabeth and Dean rolled up to Whispering Pines Estates together.
Inside, Pearl and Nolan were by the living room door, eyes glued to the entrance.
The moment they spotted Elizabeth, they bolted out and flung themselves into her arms.
Pearl burst into tears. "Mom, I missed you so much! I thought I'd never see you again!"
Nolan's eyes were also brimming with tears.
Elizabeth crouched down, looked at them, and patted their heads. "I'm so sorry for making you worry. Mommy's back now."
She held back her own tears and hugged them tight just as Louis walked out.
Elizabeth stood up, a bit taken aback. "Louis, when did you get here?"
Before Louis could answer, Sarah popped up. "Elizabeth, I'm here too!"
Elizabeth was stunned. "Sarah?"
Dean chimed in, "When you went missing, I was searching everywhere and dealing with the cops. I needed someone to look after the kids, so I called Louis and Sarah."
Elizabeth looked at them. "Thank you!"
Sarah gave her a playful nudge. "Elizabeth, don't be so formal!"
Louis gave a small smile. "I'm just glad you're back safe. Now I can relax."
His eyes were deep, filled with unspoken emotions. Since she disappeared, he hadn't been able to eat or sleep, and his anxiety had given him blisters.
He used his connections in Evergreen City and found out Michael was involved in her disappearance.
Louis was torn. He trusted Michael wouldn't harm her, but he feared Michael's old illness might flare up and turn him violent. His heart had been in a constant state of worry.
When Dean asked him to help with the kids, he didn't hesitate. Even if he couldn't find her, helping out gave him some peace.
Dean said, "Hey, let's not just stand here. Let's go inside."
Elizabeth and Sarah took the kids' hands and headed in.
Louis trailed behind, quietly watching Elizabeth, his eyes moist. 'She's back. She's safe. That's all that matters. Thank God,' he thought.
In the living room, Sarah said, "You probably haven't been eating well. I brought our chef. He's making food for you now. You should eat something later, or your stomach might get upset."
Elizabeth smiled and held Sarah's hand. "Thanks, Sarah. You're so thoughtful."
Louis looked down, feeling a bit annoyed with himself. He'd been so worried about her safety that he hadn't thought about her eating.
He stayed quiet, just watching her.
Every time they met, he savored their moments together, like he was trying to carve her image into his memory.
Dean was on the sofa, scrolling through his phone. Suddenly, he shouted, "Michael is critically ill."
Elizabeth, who had been smiling, shot up. "Dean, what did you say?"
Dean looked up. "Daniel sent it to me. Hope Hospital issued a critical condition notice. Michael lost too much blood, and the wound was near his heart. They can't stop the bleeding. He might not make it through the night."
Elizabeth's face went pale, and the room fell silent.
Dean shouted, "Elizabeth, it's his own fault! He locked you up! That's illegal! If he hadn't gotten hurt, it could've been you! You can't feel guilty for him!"
He walked over and grabbed her shoulders. "Elizabeth, you need to stay calm! Don't do anything rash!"
Elizabeth lowered her head and murmured, "But, I was the one who raised the weapon first."
Nolan walked over and said, "Mom, don't pity him! If he hadn't gotten hurt, it would have been you. We can't lose you, Mom."
Dean shouted, "Elizabeth, Nolan's right! You can't be foolish!"
Elizabeth stood up and said, "I'm not being foolish. I'm not going to forgive him just because he's critically ill. I won't forgive him for what he did to me. I'm not being soft-hearted. I just think, after all, it's a human life. He got hurt because of me. Reasonably and emotionally, I should go see him."
Dean was about to argue when Louis walked over, patting Dean's shoulder and nodding slightly.
Then Louis said to Elizabeth, "Elizabeth, if you're really worried about his life, I'll go with you. I have a few friends at Hope Hospital. I can go with you to ask about his condition."
Elizabeth looked at him gratefully and said, "Thank you, Louis."
Louis responded, "It's nothing, no need to thank me."
Elizabeth looked at Dean and said, "Dean, stay home and take care of the kids. This time, with Louis accompanying me, nothing will happen."
Dean reluctantly agreed, "Alright."
Sarah waved and said, "Elizabeth, don't worry. I'm here too."
Elizabeth nodded and left with Louis.
At Hope Hospital, in the critical care ICU ward, Michael had an IV needle in his hand, with bright red blood being transfused into his body through the IV tube. His eyes were tightly closed, his lips pale, and his face looked bloodless.
The machines beside the bed were sounding various alarms.
Louis drove the car, carrying Elizabeth, and drove smoothly on the road.
When they arrived at the Hope Hospital parking lot, Louis stopped the car.
Elizabeth sat motionless in the passenger seat while Louis waited quietly.
Seeing that she had no intention of getting out of the car, he turned his head and asked softly, "Elizabeth?"
He wanted to ask, 'Aren't you very worried about him? Don't you want to see him?'
But he didn't say a word. He just waited quietly for her.
However, Elizabeth took a long breath and said, "Louis, let's go back."
Louis sat up straight and responded, "Okay."
He restarted the car, turned the steering wheel, and slowly drove out of the parking lot.
On the way, he drove very slowly. He was afraid Elizabeth might suddenly change her mind and ask him to turn back.
Even after the car had driven far away from the hospital, Elizabeth still showed no intention of returning.
Louis finally couldn't help but ask softly, "Elizabeth, can you tell me why you didn't go see him?"
Elizabeth leaned her head against the seat, looking very tired. She replied, "Louis, I want to see him, but I'm also afraid to see him. He's in the ICU ward. There are professional doctors and nurses there to treat him. If I go, I can't help with anything. If he starts to get better but then sees me, gets angry, and faints again, it'll be my fault. I think it's better if I don't go."
Her eyebrows furrowed. It was clear that she was deeply conflicted inside.
Louis thought, 'She must really love Michael deeply, right?'
Only someone in love would be like this, hesitant and worried, just like how Louis had felt about Elizabeth all these years. His mood would always be affected by her.
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