After the surgery, Nyla seemed to sweat more than usual, so Hadley took a warm towel and gently wiped her down.
Upon returning, Eric entered to find Hadley tenderly wiping Nyla’s hands.
He watched her careful, nurturing actions.
Raising an eyebrow, he acknowledged internally that despite her shortcomings, Hadley showed genuine compassion in caring for Nyla. It was a point worth acknowledging.
However, Eric’s thoughts soon returned to Linda’s loss, casting a shadow over his mood once more.
While Hadley remained inside to tend to Nyla, Eric dealt with business matters in the outer room.
As the evening approached and Eric concluded his tasks, the clock ticked on.
The clock showed it was after six.
Xander and Theodore brought dinner while Phillips checked in with Eric, inquiring, “Mr. Flynn, shall we invite Hadley to join you for dinner?”
Eric responded without hesitation. “There’s no need.”
Why bother inviting Hadley?
Did Eric really need to hear Hadley decline him once again, or endure yet another rebuff?
He had no desire to subject himself to that ordeal; self-pity was not in his nature.
Seeing Eric’s decision, Phillips and the twin bodyguards exchanged glances, understanding that it was best not to question their employer’s directive.
As the clock struck seven that evening, Hadley spoke softly to the nurse.
“I need to step outside for a bit. I’ll be just out front. Call me if anything comes up.”
“Understood.”
Hadley grabbed her backpack and headed out.
By this time, Eric and his team had already finished their meal. Xander and Theodore had left, with only Phillips remaining, deep in a business call.
Hadley focused straight ahead, ignoring her surroundings, and made her way to the kitchen.
From her backpack, she retrieved a lunchbox containing boiled corn-on-the-cob and hard-boiled eggs.
The eggs were straightforward enough, but the cold corn-on-the-cob required more effort to eat.
She placed it in the microwave and set the timer for three minutes. After removing the heated food, she exclaimed, “Ah, that’s hot!” Just then, Eric entered to fetch a glass of water.
He acted as if he hadn’t noticed her and refilled his glass. He was…
About to leave, just as Hadley bit into her dinner, Eric wondered if that really was all she was having.
It seemed even scantier than her lunch, which had included noodles and vegetables.
Eric’s gaze lingered on her, his expression impassive. “What is wrong with you, Hadley?”
“What?”
Caught off guard by his question, Hadley looked up, only to find Eric already walking out.
Left alone, Hadley continued eating, perplexed.
It seemed Eric’s disdain for her extended even to her dietary choices.
She was at a loss for words.
Later that night, Hadley remained vigilant at the bedside. Eric, unable to compete with her determination, resigned himself to the sofa nearby.
Both were too cautious to fall into a deep sleep, stealing only brief moments of rest.
Suddenly, the quiet was shattered by the loud beeping of a monitor.
“Beep… Beep…”
Instantly, Hadley leapt from her seat.
She seized Nyla’s hand, concerned. “Nyla, can you hear me? What’s happening?”
Eric sprang from the sofa, alarmed. “What’s wrong?”
Both Hadley and Eric fixated on the monitor. Though neither could fully interpret the readings, the display for blood oxygen levels was an alarming red, a clear sign of distress that was hard to miss.
“Get the doctor, now!”
“Right!”
Frantically, Hadley pressed the call button beside the bed as Eric raced out of the room shouting, “Doctor! Nurse!”
Within moments, the medical team burst into the room.
“Please, give us room!” the doctor instructed.
As the nurse drew the curtain to shield the bed, Eric and Hadley were pushed back. They were starting an urgent procedure, one not suitable for non-medical observers.
Although Hadley and Eric were outside the curtain, neither felt compelled to leave.
They stayed close, straining to hear the medical team’s urgent discussions.
“There’s a blockage from the mucus! We need to clear it!”
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“The suction isn’t strong enough; it’s too dense!”
“Try diluting it with saline!”
“Understood!”
Suddenly, another urgent voice emerged. “This isn’t working! The mucus won’t clear!”
Eric listened intently, his hands clenched, his face etched with worry. “I can handle it!”
While Eric hesitated, considering his next move, Hadley didn’t wait.
She swept aside the curtain and moved swiftly to the bedside.
“Hadley!”
Eric extended his hand to pull her back but was too late. “Why are you here? This area is off-limits to family members!”
“Doctor!”
Caught in the crisis, Hadley wasted no time. “I can do this!”
“Do you intend to…”
“Hadley, don’t make things worse here!”
Eric had rushed in behind her, intent on intervening.
However, he and the doctor were too slow to react.
Swiftly, Hadley leaned forward, positioning herself over Nyla.
Eric’s eyes opened wide, struck by disbelief.
The scene unfolding was unexpected. Hadley was attempting to clear Nyla’s airway using her own mouth.
Both the doctor and nurse paused, momentarily stunned by her actions.
Oblivious to their astonishment, Hadley lifted her head after clearing the obstruction.
“Dispose of it here!” The nurse quickly presented a bin, into which Hadley spat the mucus.
Panting from the exertion, she inquired, “Is it better now?”
She felt the blockage had been removed, though she wasn’t certain of the outcome.
“It is!” The nurse exclaimed, pointing to the monitor with a smile.
“Look, her oxygen levels are improving!”
A look of relief washed over the doctor’s face. “With the airway cleared, we can proceed with her medication. Could the family please step outside now?”
With a deep exhale, Hadley agreed. “Okay.”
As she began to turn away, she felt a gentle tug at her hand.
Confused, Hadley looked down. It was Nyla.
Nyla, who had just experienced severe breathing difficulties, was not fully conscious yet. Her eyes were only partly open, her awareness slowly returning.
“Nyla.” Gently, Hadley held her hand, reassuring her. “You’re safe now. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Nyla was unable to speak, emitting only a soft murmur as tears began to roll down her cheeks.
Tears welled up in Hadley’s eyes as well; she felt a profound connection in that moment.
“Please don’t cry. I’m here for you.”
Gradually, Nyla’s hand relaxed, and she released her hold.
Hadley turned, letting out a sharp breath. The brief ordeal had left her…
Soaked with sweat, Hadley felt the urgent need to clean her mouth. As she reached to draw back the curtain, someone else pulled it open.
Looking up, she saw Eric.
“Ahem.” Eric cleared his throat, looking anywhere but at her. “You were heading to the washroom, right? Let’s go.”
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