Chapter 38: Self-Reproach
The doctor, who had just been full of complaints about James, instantly forgave his rudeness.
The doctor explained in detail: "The baby is safe for now, but the pregnant woman's physical condition is very poor."
"Whether the baby can ultimately be saved depends on how well the pregnant woman recovers. We'll arrange for hospitalization first, make sure she eats well, gets proper nutrition, and recuperates. We'll do a thorough physical examination in a few days."
"Remember, the pregnant woman cannot be subjected to any more stress."
As the doctor said this, he glanced at James with meaningful intent.
Out of respect for Louis, he spoke so gently.
Under normal circumstances, facing this kind of situation, he would have already started scolding James.
"Thank you."
Louis nodded slightly.
"Dr. Cox, you're too kind."
Getting a word of thanks from Louis made the attending doctor very happy inside.
A legendary figure in the medical field had actually thanked him.
This was something he could brag about until he was old.
The attending doctor, who had just been criticizing James in his mind, suddenly found even this violent family member somewhat more agreeable.
"Sorry."
James also calmed down and apologized.
"It's fine, it's fine. Worrying about the child, totally understandable."
"Mia's coming out."
Louis saw the gurney being pushed out and patted James.
James, whose mood had become extremely low after hearing the doctor's words, immediately looked up when he heard Mia was coming out.
He strode forward.
Mia lay pale and weak on the gurney, being pushed out from inside.
She was still unconscious.
Even though she was asleep in her coma, her brows were still tightly furrowed.
There were undried tears at the corners of her eyes; even in her coma, she was still sad.
James's heart, which had been clenched tight all along, twisted again.
As the gurney was pushed out, with gentle vibrations.
The tears in her eyes also gently slid down her cheeks.
James's hand trembled slightly as he gently wiped them away.
The tears, still carrying her warmth, felt like boiling water.
They seeped from his fingertips all the way into his heart.
'You rushed into the hospital holding Amelia with such a worried look on your face, while I lay on a gurney, in so much pain I almost died—'
That day, when he brought Amelia to the hospital for mild stomach bleeding.
Mia must have been lying on a gurney like this too.
She was so afraid of pain, always rushing to him over the slightest hurt, exaggerating as if she'd been seriously injured.
It must have hurt so much then. She relied on him so much. When she saw him, she must have felt so wronged, but he was holding Amelia and didn't see her.
Making her endure the sight of him nervously rushing into the hospital holding Amelia.
Adding insult to injury.
James swallowed the bitterness that suddenly welled up. As he swallowed, the bitterness turned into needles, sliding down his throat, densely pricking his heart.
His gaze locked firmly on her face, full of worry, regret, and—heartache.
……
"Be gentle."
James personally helped push the gurney, reminding the nurse pushing with him the whole way.
Afraid that any rough movement would hurt Mia lying on the gurney.
She looked so fragile.
As if even slightly too much force would shatter her.
……
Mia was pushed into the hospital room. James stopped the nurse from helping, bent down, and carefully lifted her onto the hospital bed, covering her with a blanket.
Medical staff set up an IV for Mia, adding some medication to help her sleep peacefully to the drip. After everything was handled, they left the room.
The doctor didn't want to leave, wanting to spend more time in Louis's presence.
But while James's face was gentle toward the pregnant woman, whenever his gaze left her, his expression and eyes were like the grim reaper, as if he could tear someone apart at any moment.
Afraid of innocently suffering another violent attack, the doctor said his goodbyes and left.
After everyone had left, Louis handed James the clothes he'd had someone bring over. "Don't worry too much. Mia and the baby will both be fine."
"Thanks."
James took them and patted Louis on the shoulder.
"We're friends, no need to be formal. I'll head out first."
"Alright, help me spread the word—don't let anyone come disturb her. Mia needs to rest properly."
"Got it."
Even without James saying so, he would have given those instructions.
He nodded, hands in his white coat pockets, and walked out.
Standing outside the door, he gently closed the hospital room door and looked inside through the glass window.
James, holding the clothes, didn't immediately go shower.
He first returned to the bedside, staring at Mia lying in the hospital bed like some kind of obsessed person.
Looking at her furrowed brows, he raised his hand and gently, tenderly smoothed them.
She had always been very attached to and dependent on his presence.
He knew this very well.
His approach clearly had an effect.
Her furrowed brows slowly relaxed.
Only when Mia had completely relaxed did he reluctantly withdraw his gaze.
A moment later, he leaned down and pressed a kiss full of tenderness on her forehead.
This kiss from James was like kissing the most important treasure in the whole world.
The sight made Louis instinctively close his eyes with a look of disgust.
Was this still the same James who always made outsiders think his heart was completely filled by Amelia?
He'd known James for so many years, but had never seen him have a moment like this with Amelia.
This appearance, full of tenderness, wishing he could take her pain for her.
Too mushy!
As an unmarried man, he couldn't understand it, and couldn't relate.
Louis withdrew his gaze with revulsion, putting his hands back in his pockets.
In his view, the wine of love wasn't something that made everyone who drank it drunk!
Rather, everyone who drank it got poisoned!
And the poisoned state looked way too scary!
He was better off—carefree without love!
Louis walked out while checking the time. It was already past midnight.
He extremely disliked nighttime. With his completely reversed day-night schedule, this time was exactly when he went wild.
After changing clothes, with an expression that screamed "don't mess with me, stay away," radiating an aloof aura.
One hand in his pants pocket, he walked toward the hospital entrance.
Out of the hospital, he walked to a Macan parked at the entrance, pulled open the car door, and got in.
He closed the car door.
Once he'd shut out those ever-present gazes from inside the hospital.
Louis took off his conventional suit jacket and loosened the tie that constrained him.
His fingers paused at his collar, slowly unbuttoning.
The second button, the third button.
He didn't stop until his firm chest muscles were faintly visible.
He raised his hand, running his fingers through his neatly combed hair, messing it up.
The famous medical figure Louis instantly transformed into a playboy who frequented nightclubs.
Foot on the gas pedal, the modified Macan sped through the night toward a famous nightclub in Imperial City.
His happy time was just truly beginning.