Babel Novel
Chapter 303
Chapter 303
Howard didn’t make it home until after eleven that night.
Gwendolyn, pretending to be asleep in the sprawling king–size bed of the master bedroom, heard him arrive. Throughout the day, Marina’s words had festered in her mind, fueling a simmering anger. Determined to give Howard the cold shoulder, she wanted to avoid any chance of his amorous advances tonight.
In the dimly lit room, Howard flicked on the soft amber lamp and changed out of his clothes before sitting on the edge of the bed. He playfully pinched her nose, a chuckle escaping his throat, “What’s got my little spitfire all riled up?”
Clearly, he had caught wind of Marina’s complaints once again.
Gwendolyn’s eyes snapped open, glaring at him. “I’m not,” she retorted, her voice husky with a pronounced nasal quality, betraying her upset.
“Have you taken your medicine?” Howard asked, exasperated as he looked at her.
“Yes.”
“Next time, we won’t go in the water,” he compromised.
He hadn’t realized just how delicate she could be. Even a summer night’s swim could bring on a chill. His `passions, once ignited, were hard to quell, a common trait among men newly wedded to their appetites.
Gwendolyn was about to respond when a sharp pain seized her chest. Clutching at her heart, her face turned deathly pale, and she curled up in agony. A sharp and sudden pain stabbed at her heart,
wringing a cry of pain from her lips. But just as quickly, the pain vanished, leaving her in peace.
“Gwendolyn?”
“Mr. Chadwick, it’s nothing to worry about. Just a little pain in my heart, it’s common, she said, pulling in a deep breath and examining herself.
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Howard tucked her under the silk comforter, “Next time, don’t wait up for me. You should be asleep by ten. If I’m late, I’ll crash in the guest room.”
“Alright.” Gwendolyn nodded obediently. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
These inexplicable pains, varying in intensity, had plagued her since childhood. Mr. White assured her it was normal, just the body’s reaction. It wasn’t something to fret over.
The human body was a mystery, and there were so many uncharted territories within.
She drifted into a deep sleep, unaware that the night would be tumultuous.
Bayridge Hospital’s ambulances were all deployed, sirens blaring for hours. The emergency department was a whirlwind of activity, and the Hamilton family had their peace disrupted.
The next day.
When Gwendolyn returned to work at the hospital, her colleagues in the emergency department were visibly exhausted with dark circles under their eyes.
Compared to them, she had it easy. Since she was about to resign, her on–call shifts had been scrapped, and her patient load had lightened.
10:17
Department heads from other specialties had asked her to assist with their rounds, hoping that an exchange of medical practices would spark innovation. Gwendolyn wouldn’t dream of refusing such an opportunity.
Walking the wards with these seasoned doctors, she learned countless tricks of the trade and encountered a variety of cases. So her main task each day had become making rounds.
Sandra emerged from the on–call room, yawning.
Gwendolyn handed her a thoughtful breakfast, “Here, your favorite donut.”
“Oh, Gwendolyn, darling, how will I ever cope without you?” Sandra hugged her, planting a kiss on her cheek.
Gwendolyn smiled softly.
Sandra nibbled on her breakfast, recounting the previous night, “It was a madhouse. The ER was short–staffed, so they pulled me in. I spent the whole night surrounded by blood and gore, throwing up in between. Give me a donut and soy milk any day…”
She couldn’t stand the smell of meat anymore.
“What happened?” Gwendolyn inquired.
“Last night, there was a major accident at Hairpin Curve during an underground street race. One person died on the spot, three didn’t make it after being rushed here, and seven were injured.
Hairpin Curve was infamous for its challenging, winding path, also known as ‘Devil’s Elbow. Most drivers would slow down and take it easy. But these folks decided to race there, tempting fate.