Babel Novel
Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Where is he?” Gwendolyn’s voice trembled as she asked.
He’s at Bayridge Hospital, in the ER.”
Clutching her phone, Gwendolyn dashed towards the emergency room like a madwoman. The wind howled past her ears, and it seemed as if dark clouds were pressing down upon her, a whirlwind of dreadful possibilities spinning in her mind.
“Why is he in the ER?” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
“Is he going to die?”
“Mrs. Chadwick.” Marina caught sight of her and burst into tears, “I don’t know what happened, Mr. Chadwick just started coughing up blood.”
“How long has he been in there?” Gwendolyn’s limbs were icy, a cold sweat breaking out on her back.
“Only a few minutes.”
The light was still on above the emergency room.
“Coughing up blood? What could that mean?” Gwendolyn’s thoughts were in chaos, wishing she could check his body herself.
“Marina, stay calm,” Gwendolyn said, trying to comfort her, but her own heart was pounding with fear.
Soon after, Howard’s family had arrived.
Roselind and Jeannie peppered the room with anxious questions, while Jameson looked particularly grave.
“How can he be in the hospital out of the blue? He was getting better with Enoch’s apprentice taking care of him,” Roselind paced back and forth, fretting, “What did we overlook?”
“Mom, I’m scared.” Jeannie clung to Roselind, crying uncontrollably.
She remembered the night Howard had been in a car accident, the whole family in turmoil and pain, waiting outside the emergency room. She had thought those dark days would never come again.
“It’s okay. It’ll be okay this time too,” Roselind said, her whole body shaking as she gently patted Jeannie’s back.
Gwendolyn stood silently to the side.
Two hours later, the light above the emergency room went off.
Everyone crowded forward as the doctor emerged, mask in hand, and announced, Just a case of a sensitive stomach and food poisoning, nothing serious.”
A collective sigh of relief swept through the group.
Howard was wheeled out on a gurney, conscious but pale.
“Howard, are you in any pain anywhere else?”
“No, I’m fine.” Replying, Howard was pushed into room 2106.
“How could he get food poisoning?” Marina asked guiltily, “Could something I cooked have been poisonous?”
“Marina, it’s not your fault. I carelessly ate some expired nuts,” Howard reassured her.
“Howard, don’t scare us like that again. I thought I was going to die of fright,” Jeannie said with red– rimmed eyes.
“Yeah.”
Howard looked past them to the door where Gwendolyn stood, her eyes also red. He knew she hadn’t taken his words from that morning to heart.
“You guys head home. I just want to catch some sleep. Gwendolyn can stay with me. though.” With Howard having made his wishes clear, Roselind had no choice but to leave. “We’ll come to see you tomorrow.”
They left reluctantly, and the room fell silent once more.
Gwendolyn locked the door behind them and, with pursed lips, walked over to him, silently taking his wrist in her hand.
She was feeling for a pulse. His heartbeat was strong and steady, surely that’s not a sign of food poisoning.
Her eyes, clear and questioning, demanded an explanation.
Howard touched his nose and said, “Just putting on a show for Bainbridge.”
“Mr. Chadwick, you scared the daylights out of everyone,” Gwendolyn frowned,
disapproving, “Food poisoning, what’s the point?”
Howard gave a wry smile, “Bainbridge is suspicious. He won’t believe I’ve simply got food. poisoning. Instead, he’ll think our branch of the family is trying to hide my real condition, hence the food poisoning story.”
“And now, the doctor he’s bribed will tell him I’m suffering organ failure, that my days are numbered.”
Gwendolyn was puzzled, “What’s the benefit in that?”
“No benefit,” Howard looked at her earnestly, “Dr. Gwen, I just wanted to see you in daylight too.” And to see who else dared to lay a finger on his woman.