Chapter 493 Is There Something Wrong with His Health?
In the hospital room.
Clifford slowly opened his eyes. A gentle ray of sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on him. He blinked, trying to adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings.
He heard his parents' slightly choked voices beside him, "Clifford, how are you feeling?"
Turning his head, Clifford saw Felix and Gabrielle sitting by his bedside, their faces filled with concern and worry.
Clifford felt a bit disoriented, as if he didn't quite know what had happened.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze landing on Yvette's face.
Yvette's eyes were filled with complex emotions as she looked at him intently.
Memories came rushing back—the terrifying explosions, everything. Clifford remembered it all.
He moved slightly, and a wave of unbearable pain surged through his body.
Clifford clenched his jaw, enduring the pain as he looked at Yvette.
He coughed lightly, breaking the silence, "Are you okay?"
Clifford's parents were overjoyed to hear him speak, but their hearts ached because the first thing he did upon waking was to ask about Yvette rather than mention his own condition.
"Clifford, how do you feel? We have been waiting for you to wake up!"
Clifford ignored them, his eyes fixed on Yvette, an apologetic look on his face, "I'm sorry, I fell into their trap, and that's why..."
His voice, rough and shredded by long unconsciousness, grated harshly on Yvette's ears.
Yvette hadn't expected that despite her being the one who got him involved, he would wake up only to worry about her. She was momentarily choked up.
She opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.
Seeing her silence, Clifford seemed worried she was mad at him and asked cautiously, "What's wrong?"
Yvette looked at Clifford's pale face, then glanced at Felix and Gabrielle's fragile expressions. The questions she had prepared to ask him all vanished.
Yvette lowered her gaze, forcing a smile despite her sadness.
"It's nothing. I'm just glad you're awake."
Clifford was taken aback for a moment, then smiled slightly, "I'm glad to see you too."
Felix and Gabrielle exchanged a worried glance.
Gabrielle suddenly sat down by Clifford's bed, holding his hand, "Clifford, don't talk too much. Save your strength. You just woke up. With proper treatment, you'll get better soon."
"Mom, don't worry so much. I'm not in pain," Clifford said, though he was clearly trying to hide his discomfort.
Every breath he took felt like his chest was being torn apart.
Felix and Gabrielle knew him well enough to see he was putting on a brave face. Gabrielle gently rubbed his hand, trying to soothe him, "Why do you do this to yourself? Your health is the most important thing. Don't hurt yourself for anyone else, understand?"
Clifford noticed his mother's disapproving gaze directed at Yvette, realizing they blamed her.
"I didn't, Mom," Clifford said helplessly.
"Clifford, think about us. We raised you with so much effort, and now you're like this because of a girl," Gabrielle's tone carried a hint of reproach.
Clifford felt a bit annoyed. He tried to sit up, but the pain made him groan. Felix and Gabrielle quickly helped him.
Clifford frowned and said in a low voice, "Mom, Dad, I'm an adult now. I'll take responsibility for my decisions and actions. Don't blame anyone else."
He shook his head slightly, trying to ease their worries with a weak smile.
"Clifford..." Felix started to say.
Clifford didn't want Yvette to hear any more harsh words from his parents. He gently said, "I know you're worried about me, but I need to talk to Ms. Orlando alone. Can you step outside for a bit?"
Though his tone was polite, it carried a firmness.
Felix and Gabrielle exchanged a worried glance. They didn't want to leave, but since Clifford had just woken up, they couldn't refuse.
"Alright, we'll wait outside."
With heavy hearts, Felix and Gabrielle gave Clifford one last look before reluctantly leaving the room.
Now, only Clifford and Yvette were left in the room. Yvette stood by the bed, taking a deep breath.
"It's my fault you got hurt," Yvette's voice was slightly hoarse, "I'm just glad you woke up. Otherwise, I'd feel guilty forever."
Clifford was surprised. He hadn't expected her to say that. He shook his head gently, smiling, "You're a kind person. But like I said, I'm an adult. I'll take responsibility for my decisions. Besides, if I hadn't gone to find you, they wouldn't have had the chance. I should be the one apologizing."
Yvette felt a bit comforted. At least Clifford was awake, and he didn't blame her.
Yvette opened her mouth, about to ask Clifford to talk to his parents about letting her return to the Valdemar Family, when Clifford's expression suddenly changed. His face turned even paler, and he clutched his chest.
His reaction startled Yvette, "What's wrong?"
Clifford looked up at her, but before he could speak, blood started trickling from his nose.
He looked at her in shock, then covered his nose with his hand.
Yvette quickly searched the room for tissues to help stop the bleeding.
Clifford tried to downplay it, "It's nothing."
But within seconds, blood had stained his hand and the sleeve of his hospital gown.
Yvette handed him some tissues with one hand while pressing the call button for the doctor with the other.
As doctors and nurses rushed in, Yvette stepped back quietly.
The serious expressions on their faces made Yvette uneasy. If it was just a nosebleed, they wouldn't look so grave.
After what felt like an eternity, the bleeding finally stopped, and the doctor sighed in relief before leaving the room.
Clifford looked at Yvette awkwardly, "Sorry you had to see me like this."
Yvette's hands clenched at her sides. She didn't respond to Clifford but instead ran out to catch up with the doctors.
Breathless, Yvette stopped the doctor, "Doctor, what's wrong with him?"
The doctor hesitated, his eyes flickering.
"He..."
Yvette frowned, pressing, "Is there something wrong with his health?"