Babel Novel
Chapter 80
James glanced at Mirabella, whose expression had clouded over as if she had become someone else entirely. After a long moment, he spoke up gently, “Your grandma’s going to be just fine.”
Mirabella murmured a soft acknowledgment. Her eyelids drooped slightly, casting faint shadows beneath her long lashes. She sat quietly, showing no outward signs of distress.
Soon, the door to the hospital room swung open from the inside. Mirabella lifted her head and walked over with calm
steps.
The doctor removed his mask, eyeing both Mirabella and James with a mix of seriousness and reproach. “The patient is stable for now, but can’t you youngsters keep your tempers in check? Don’t you know she has a weak heart and can’t handle the stress?”
A flicker of emotion passed through Mirabella’s eyes before she responded with utmost civility and a willingness to learn from her mistake, “We understand. We’ll be more careful in the future.”
Perhaps persuaded by her polite demeanor and receptiveness, the doctor seemed to lose the urge to lecture further. Instead, he advised, “Go in and keep her company, but make sure not to upset her again.”
“Thank you,” Mirabella nodded slightly. Once the doctor and nurses had left, she stepped into the room.
Catherine had not yet awakened, an oxygen mask covering her face as she lay quietly, the monitors beside her showing a steady rhythm of vital signs.
Mirabella’s gaze briefly touched the medical equipment before she casually pulled a chair over and sat by the bed.
After watching Catherine in silence for a moment, Mirabella reached out, tucking the blanket around her with a gentle touch before nonchalantly taking grandma’s hand that rested beside her.
James took a seat in another chair, his eyes catching only Mirabella’s profile, missing the tender gestures she made. His phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling his attention away. He withdrew it, glanced briefly at the message on the screen, and then slid the phone back into his pocket.
But within a couple of minutes, the phone buzzed again–this time, a call.
James frowned, gave Mirabella a quick look, and then stood up to walk out of the room. His footsteps were almost silent, barely audible until the door clicked shut behind him. It was only then that Mirabella turned her head toward the door, a thoughtful expression crossing her face for a second before she looked away again. This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
Soon after, James returned to the room. Mirabella slowly placed Catherine’s hand back under the covers and looked up at James. “Thanks for tonight. It’s getting late. You should head back and get some rest. I’ll stay here with her.”
James raised an eyebrow. “You’re being awfully polite.”
Mirabella leaned back in her chair, her face no longer as tense as when they had first arrived at the hospital but seeming more relaxed. “Not really, you’ve got things to do, right?”
Her eyes flicked briefly to the phone he hadn’t yet put away.
James was somewhat surprised by Mirabella’s perceptiveness but he did have matters to attend to. After a brief pause, he explained, “I might be out of Ashford for a few days. If something comes up, give
me a call.”
“Sure,” Mirabella waved him off easily, clearly not too concerned.
Seeing her reaction, James just smiled and said, “I’m off then.”
Soon, the room was left with only Mirabella and her grandma. After the night nurse made one last check, Mirabella settled down to rest beside the bed.