Chapter 1381 Watching the Loved One Fall in Front of You
At the hospital, Selena sat silently in the corridor. Three hours later, Raymond was wheeled out of surgery.
The doctor removed his mask. "He's going to be fine. The bullet missed his heart by a good margin."
Selena's suspended anxiety crashed into relief. She knelt beside his bed, clutching his hand as tears finally came.
Given Raymond's particular status, he couldn't remain in the hospital long. Once the doctors confirmed he was out of danger, he was transferred back to the seventh floor of the fighting arena.
Selena refused to leave his bedside, maintaining a constant vigil.
At one point, Helen attempted to visit, but upon meeting Selena's gaze, she retreated several steps.
What was this? When had Selena developed such an intimidating presence?
Helen's brow furrowed, but she ultimately decided against entering.
Selena held Raymond's hand against her cheek, her touch gentle yet desperate.
Though the anesthesia hadn't fully worn off, Raymond was conscious enough to feel her nearness. He knew his decision had hurt her deeply.
Watching someone she loves collapse before her eyes was exactly what the psychologist had suggested—a near-death experience might provide enough shock to break through her hypnotic state.
He had always been a gambler.
And this time, he had won.
Selena's tears fell onto the back of his hand. He wanted to comfort her, to wipe away those tears, but lacked the strength.
For two days he lay there. Various members of the arena tried to visit, but Selena blocked them all at the door.
She stood sentry, one hand gripping the doorframe, her gaze cutting through visitors as if they were nothing.
Some initially tried to argue, but something in her demeanor silenced them before they could speak.
On the morning of the third day, Raymond slowly opened his eyes.
His chest still ached. Though the bullet had missed vital organs, it had done real damage.
His face was pale as he struggled to sit up. When his eyes met Selena's, guilt washed over him.
If she had truly regained her clarity, she would certainly realize this was all his orchestration—betting his life on her recovery.
"Selena, I..."
Selena lowered her eyelashes, cutting him off by offering a spoonful of porridge. "Eat first," she said softly.
She was angry—more furious than he had ever seen her.
He had sent her away without consent, then gambled with his own life. In her position, he would be livid too.
Anxiously, he opened his mouth, managing to eat half the bowl while still seeking to explain.
He wanted to tell her he'd had no choice—that sending her away before had been to spare her the hundredfold pain of withdrawal. That this desperate gambit was the only way to wake her from hypnosis.
But regardless of his reasoning, he had made these decisions without her knowledge.
Raymond had always felt insecure in their relationship, knowing deep down that every moment of their connection had been something he had fought for, sometimes forcefully.
The truly peaceful moments between them had been so few, they barely formed a cohesive memory.
He had made many mistakes, yet at this point, he never doubted Selena's genuine love.
Their love ran so deep that it made them both vulnerable, cautious with each other.
Now that he was awake, Selena provided for his needs but offered little conversation beyond what was necessary.
At night, she clutched his hand while sleeping. The slightest movement from him would startle her awake, prompting her to check him thoroughly for fever or complications before she could rest again.
After this pattern repeated several nights, Raymond finally understood: though Selena had regained her clarity, the fear of losing him haunted her constantly.
When she couldn't see him, she needed repeated confirmation that he was still there, still alive.
This pressure was suffocating them both.
There were moments when the agony of deep love felt more terrifying than indifference. Once it crossed a certain threshold, every blow that struck a beloved felt like a cannonball rebounding into one's own heart.
Raymond had risked half his life, but for Selena, it had meant nearly losing her entire existence.
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