Chapter 381: Already Beyond Saving
Margaret's heart pounded as she nervously unlocked her phone, hoping for a message from Raymond. Her emotions were a chaotic mix of anticipation and fear.
She entered her passcode, and a message appeared.
—Can't do video or calls right now. Hang tight, I'll be back soon.
It was from Raymond!
Margaret clutched her phone, tears welling up in her eyes. Even though he couldn't take her calls or video chats, knowing he was safe brought her some relief.
Despite the reassuring message, that night she had a terrible nightmare. In her dream, she and Raymond were getting married. She wore a beautiful white wedding dress, beaming with happiness as she walked towards him. But he had his back to her.
No matter how many times she called his name, he wouldn't turn around. She ran to him, only to find him covered in blood, his body pierced with knives, his black suit in tatters, blood pouring out.
His body was riddled with wounds, like patches on a quilt, and she could see his bones. It was horrifying.
Margaret screamed and tried to hold him up, but he collapsed to the ground, unresponsive to her cries and pleas.
She woke up in a panic, tears streaming down her face in the dark hospital room. She grabbed her phone and dialed Raymond's number.
The phone rang, but no one answered. It eventually went to voicemail.
Was he really that busy? Too busy to answer her call?
Before the nightmare, she would have understood and not disturbed him. But now, she was filled with anxiety.
Something felt wrong.
Margaret logged into WhatsApp, sending messages, voice calls, and video calls to Raymond.
No response.
Swallowing hard, she wondered if Raymond was just busy with work or if he was in danger, like in her nightmare.
Margaret's heart raced, tears brimming in her eyes. She didn't turn on the light, hastily put on her shoes, and opened the hospital room door, wandering down the hallway.
The long, empty corridor was eerily quiet, reminding her of the night Raymond left for his business trip. They had said their goodbyes in a similar hallway.
Holding her phone, she decided to call Alvin. She needed to know what was going on with Raymond.
Why hadn't he come back yet?
She had to go find him, see him with her own eyes to be sure he was okay.
Alvin answered immediately: "Mrs. Howard, why are you still up so late?"
Margaret realized she couldn't explain everything over the phone, so she cut to the chase: "Come see me. I need to ask you something."
"Is it about Mr. Howard?"
"Yes."
There was a brief pause before Alvin replied respectfully, "Alright."
Margaret hung up, still uneasy. If Alvin said Raymond was still abroad, she would go there herself, even if just for a moment.
She felt like they were hiding something from her.
"That guy in the ICU, he's not gonna make it. Probably only has a couple of days left."
"Yeah, that's what money gets you, throwing cash at a hopeless situation. If he were broke, they'd have sent him home to prepare for a funeral by now."
"He's pretty handsome, though. Young, too, only thirty. Such a waste."
"What's his name again?"
"Raymond. It's a name you don't forget."
Margaret overheard two nurses gossiping. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but hearing Raymond's name stopped her cold.
"Who did you just say?" she demanded.
"Do you know him?" one nurse asked, not grasping the seriousness of the situation.
Margaret's voice grew urgent: "Who did you say needs a coffin? Say it again."
"The patient in the ICU," the nurse replied.
"I asked for his name!" Margaret insisted.
The other nurse chimed in, "She said his name is Raymond—"
"Take me to him! Take me to him!" Margaret felt like she'd been struck by lightning, stumbling back a few steps.
Raymond, how could it be Raymond? He was supposed to be abroad on business, not in the ICU, not needing a coffin.
But she had to see for herself, to confirm if it was really him.
"The ICU is off-limits. You can only look from outside," the nurse said.
"Take me to him!" Margaret shouted, her body trembling.
The two nurses, new interns, didn't recognize Margaret or know her connection to Raymond. Seeing her insistence, they didn't think much of it.
Margaret was led to the ICU door.
The ICU was on the same floor, just at the other end of the hallway.
"Is he Raymond?" the nurse asked.
Margaret stood at the door, a blue barrier blocking her way. There was a small window with a sign that read 'ICU, No Visitors.'
"You can only look from outside. Entering could cause cross-infection and worsen his condition," the nurse explained.
Margaret peered through the window.
Inside, a man lay on the bed, hooked up to various machines, his eyes closed, his face pale and bloodless.
Even without entering, she recognized him by his build and features. It was Raymond.
Margaret reached out to touch his face, but her fingers met the cold glass. Her nose stung, her lips trembled, and her throat felt tight.
Tears streamed down her face. Raymond, you were supposed to be on a business trip. How did this happen? What happened to you?
Margaret's body shook, tears falling uncontrollably. No wonder he didn't answer her calls or video chats.
"Why are you two slacking off? Do you want to keep your jobs?" The head nurse approached, then gasped upon seeing Margaret: "Ms. Hughes?"
The two nurses were stunned, exchanging worried glances: "She's Ms. Hughes?"
They were in trouble. The head nurse had emphasized that Raymond's condition must be kept secret, especially from Margaret.
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