Chapter 176 Aiden in Critical Condition

Chapter 177 Aiden Reacted

On the hospital bed, Aiden lay quietly, his face even more ashen than before.

He really wasn't doing well - his whole appearance was deeply concerning.

Keira walked to the bedside and slowly sat down.

Looking at this face that was both familiar and strange, memories came flooding back like a tide.

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the tightness in her throat, and reached out to touch the back of his hand.

"Aiden, listen to me."

Her voice was soft, yet somehow heavy.

"I know you can hear me. And I know that you lying here is half because of your injuries, and half because you don't want to wake up."

"Between us, there are too many unresolved issues. You can't just leave like this and dump all this mess on me.

I don't agree. No matter what, you need to wake up first. The two of us must clear things up."

The last few words were so soft they were almost inaudible, yet they seemed to take all her strength.

The moment she finished speaking.

The heart monitor beside them suddenly let out a series of sharp warning beeps.

"Doctor! Quick! Mr. Coleman is responding!"

The nurse standing outside immediately cried out in alarm.

"Quick! Prepare for emergency treatment!"

Keira was asked to leave the room.

She leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to sit on the floor, the tears she'd been holding back finally came.

He really did respond.

He really heard her.

Dashiell and Mira were both stunned, their emotions incredibly complicated.

Mira cried tears of joy, murmuring in disbelief,

"It really worked. Aiden can be saved."

After a new round of treatment by the doctors, Aiden's condition finally stabilized temporarily.

He was past the most dangerous stage, but still unconscious, transferred to an intensive care unit with a top medical team monitoring him 24/7.

Mira's attitude toward Keira underwent a subtle but significant change.

Moreover, she noticed that whenever Keira was around, Aiden's vital signs seemed more stable.

So Mira approached Keira.

"Keira, Aiden responded to your words, which means you're still the one he cares about most.

The doctors also said that his recovery now needs more than just medication and treatment - it needs mental stimulation and care.

Could you stay and take care of him for a while?

Just consider it... consider it making amends, okay? For the sake of how he protected you at the end, for the sake of his current condition."

Dashiell immediately frowned and interrupted, positioning Keira slightly behind him.

"Mom, what are you saying? Keira doesn't owe the Coleman family anything, and she certainly doesn't owe Aiden anything!

This car accident was just that - an accident. What does it have to do with Keira? That she came here and said those things was already more than enough. How can you ask her to be a caregiver?"

"I'm not asking her to be a caregiver!" Mira quickly explained, softening her tone with a pleading note.

"I'm saying that with her nearby, Aiden might recover faster.

Look at yesterday - wasn't it because she spoke that Aiden responded?

Dashiell, I know you care about her, but the one lying in there is your own brother!

Can you really bear to watch him stay unconscious like this, not knowing when he'll wake up?"

Keira listened in silence.

Making amends?

Those words were harsh and heavy.

But could he really sense her presence?

Was her presence a stimulus to him, or a comfort?

As she struggled internally, Mira's legs went weak, and she actually started to kneel again. "Keira, I'm begging you!"

"Don't do that!"

Keira gasped and quickly stepped forward, reaching out to support Mira's arm, stopping her from kneeling.

A complex, indescribable ache rose in her heart. Fine.

She took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll stay. But remember what you said. And I'm just keeping him company - I won't handle anything else."

"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Keira, thank you!"

Mira was overjoyed, thanking her repeatedly as if grasping a lifeline.

Dashiell wanted to say something, but seeing the determination in Keira's eyes, he swallowed his words.

Days passed one by one.

Keira kept her promise and stayed at the hospital.

She didn't stay in the hospital room itself, but had a small rest room arranged next door. Still, she spent most of her time in Aiden's room.

She no longer spoke those intense words to him, just sat quietly by the bed.

Sometimes reading, sometimes just quietly looking out the window, or looking at him.

This night, moonlight poured into the room like water.

Keira had just helped the nurse turn Aiden. After the nurse left, only the two of them remained in the room.

Keira checked the time, then noticed his dry lips. She poured some warm water and carefully dampened a cotton swab, moistening his lips bit by bit.

The cool water droplets wet his lips and seemed to seep into his dormant consciousness.

At that moment, Aiden's thick, long lashes trembled slightly.

Then they settled again.

Then, he slowly opened his eyes just a crack.

His vision was blurry at first, only hazy halos of light.

Then his sight gradually focused.

He saw the gentle profile leaning over him.

It was Keira.

Why was Keira here? And taking care of him?

These questions exploded in his mind, but what followed was an even stronger fear.

If he woke up, would she leave immediately?

No, he didn't want her to leave.

This moment was a peace he'd never dared hope for.

Even if this might just be an illusion, he'd gladly accept it.

He chose to continue pretending to be unconscious.

He wanted to hold onto this moment.

He wanted to see what else she would do for him, how long she would care for him like this.

Even if it was just an act, he wanted this stolen time to last a little longer, just a bit more.

Keira was completely unaware.

She put down the water cup and walked back to the bedside, checking the data on the monitors. Everything was stable.

She let out a soft breath of relief, sat down in the chair by the bed, picked up the book she'd been reading, and continued by the bedside lamp.

On the hospital bed, Aiden kept his eyes tightly shut, but all his senses were acutely alert.

He could smell the faint fragrance from her, hear the soft sound of her turning pages, and imagine her quiet profile as she read.

Complex, indescribable emotions churned in his heart.

Sweet, yet painful.

He didn't know how long he could keep up this pretense, but right now, he just wanted time to stand still.

Even one more second would be good.

That afternoon, Dashiell came by.

Taking advantage of Keira going to the adjacent restroom for water, he followed her in, gently closing the door behind him, looking at her with a serious expression.

"Keira, how much longer are you going to stay here?"

His voice was gentle, but carried a hint of barely noticeable urgency.

"Aiden's condition has stabilized a lot. You don't need to do all this yourself.

Look at yourself now - you're thinner than when you first came, and you don't look well either."