Chapter 43 Okay, We Won't Divorce
She meant to comfort him, yet she couldn't even soothe herself. Her tears dripped onto Gabriel's clothes.
Perhaps there were too many; they quickly soaked through the bandages and stained his wounds.
The red seeping through the white fabric of his shirt was from the wound on his back, but no one was in a state to address it.
They waited, no one was sure for how long, until the light above the emergency room door switched off, and the doctor emerged.
Everyone hurried forward, but Gabriel was the first to speak, his normally calm voice shaking, "Doctor, how is Xavier?"
Jessica's eyes were red, and she could barely bring herself to hear the doctor's response.
Yet, the cruelest moment had arrived.
The doctor removed his mask, his expression heavy with the burden of unwelcome news. He looked at them and finally broke the silence, "I'm so sorry, Gabriel. We've done everything we could. It's time to say your goodbyes to Xavier."
Jessica staggered, unable to contain her emotion any longer, and started to sob uncontrollably. How could this be happening? Why was this happening?
This morning, Xavier was just fine. Only a few hours have passed, how could everything change so drastically?
She couldn't believe it, refused to believe it.
In the hospital bed, there was a peaceful stillness. Xavier, eyes closed, lay in the bed with a ventilator assisting her breathing. Everyone kept a vigil, waiting for him to wake up.
Yet, before Xavier had a chance to awaken, an uninvited guest arrived.
The woman was heavily made-up with bright red lipstick and long, manicured nails. She clacked in on her high heels, wearing a bold red dress.
Though Jessica had never seen her before, she had a hunch about her identity—probably her father-in-law's mistress.
"What are you doing here?" Jonah charged toward her; his face twisted with anger.
With a tragic tone, the woman declared, "I heard Dad was hospitalized, his life hanging by a thread. As his daughter-in-law, it's only right for me to pay a visit."
Her term "daughter-in-law" was a barefaced disregard for Danielle.
"Get out of here, now. I don't want to see you again," Jonah spat out, impatient.
As the woman began to retort, Gabriel moved towards them. He glanced at the bodyguard beside him and commanded coolly, "Take this woman out of here. Lock her up somewhere until I say otherwise; no one lets her out without my order."
He made eye contact with Jonah. Jonah didn't object. It seemed he agreed.
The woman, clearly dissatisfied, was about to protest, but before she could, the bodyguard clamped a hand over her lips and dragged her away.
No sooner had she been escorted out, than Xavier's eyes fluttered open. As they realized he was awakening, everyone gathered around the bed.
Jessica and Danielle each took one of Xavier's hands, their faces soft with affection.
"Xavier..." Jessica began.
"Dad..." Danielle said at the same time.
Xavier looked around at his loved ones and then at the ceiling above as if every mystery was unraveling before him.
"Xavier, are you thirsty? Would you like some water?" Jessica asked first.
Xavier nodded, "Yes, please."
Jessica hurried to pour a cup of warm water and brought it over to the bed, slowly helping him sip through a straw.
After taking a sip of water, Xavier looked at them with solemn seriousness, his voice calm as he said, "Don't be sad. When people get older, this is just a part of life. I have prepared, I am not afraid at all."
"Gabe, take Jess out first, this old man wants to have a word alone with your folks," Xavier requested.
"Sure," Gabriel replied, obediently.
Though reluctant, Jessica and Gabriel left the hospital room. However, as soon as they stepped outside, she saw the last person she wanted to encounter.
Diana, pushing a wheelchair, hurried over, looking visibly distressed. "Gabe, how's Xavier? I came as soon as I heard the news."
"How did you find out?" Jessica's piercing gaze swept over Diana, then landed on Gabriel.
Diana, realizing the misunderstanding, quickly clarified, "Jessica, don’t get it wrong. Gabe didn't tell me. A friend of mine works at this hospital and she informed me."
"Is that so?" Jessica remained skeptical.
"Do you honestly think I'd be that careless?" retorted Gabriel.
Only then did Jessica relent.
But immediately after, she turned to Diana, "I don't care how you found out or whether your concern for Xavier is sincere or an act. Diana, listen closely and leave right now with your wheelchair."
"Jessica," Diana said with a tremble in her voice, a pleading look in her eyes, "I mean well. I know Xavier doesn't like me, but I never held it against him. Is it wrong to want to see him?"
"Knowing he doesn't like you and still showing up... What are you truly after, Diana?" Jessica's anger exploded.
Jessica was not known for outbursts. She was always seen as gentle and delicate. But now, her fury took Diana by surprise.
Seeing no headway with Jessica, Diana turned to Gabriel, "Gabe, please don't send me away. Xavier is gravely ill; I want to be there for him until the end. I promise I won't cause any trouble..."
Before she could finish, Jessica's hand struck Diana's face with a resounding slap. Diana's mind went blank. Before she could recover, another slap hit her other cheek.
Two distinct handprints appeared on Diana's face, instantly visible.
"Diana, just what are you up to? Who said this is 'the end'? Don't make me come after you. I'm telling you, get out now. Get out now, or I'll have someone throw you out," Jessica threatened, fury was evident in her tone.
Jessica was truly enraged.
Diana had never seen Jessica lose her composure like this, nor had Gabriel. He realized how much she valued Xavier and cared deeply for him, but he hadn't fathomed the depths of Jessica's feelings for Xavier.
Typically, no matter how angry she got, she never lost control like this.
But today, she was like a fierce tiger, baring her sharpest claws and gaping maw, not showing the slightest mercy.
"Jessica..." Her voice trembling, Diana looked at Gabriel with a glimmer of hope.
"Out!" Jessica's roar cut through the tension.
Gabriel remained silent. Diana wheeled herself out, retreating under Jessica's glaring eyes.
In the hospital room, Xavier chuckled with a hint of satisfaction, "The lass finally lost her temper for once, and all for my sake. I'm truly delighted.
"After I'm gone, my biggest worry is about the lass. I need you to swear that no matter what happens, you'll take good care of her.
"And about the divorce, I suppose it wasn't finalized today. You should try to stop it. I dearly wish for my grandson and his wife to be with each other for a lifetime, to walk this journey together."
"All right, now call Gabriel in," Xavier instructed.
"Dad," Jonah and Danielle called out, filled with reluctance.
"Don't worry. I won't close my eyes until I've finished my affairs."
Soon, Gabriel was at Xavier's bedside. Redness rimmed his eyes, now glossy with moisture. He took Xavier's hand in his, summoning all his courage to speak, "Xavier, I'm here."
"Then I'll get straight to the point. Grandpa has only one wish for you. Can you honor it?" Xavier asked.
"Please, tell me," Gabriel said, eagerly listening.
"After I'm gone, I worry most about the lass. So, don't divorce her. Take good care of her, cherish her, love her. Gabriel, can you do that?"
