Chapter 107 I'll Take Responsibility
The nurse was thoroughly frightened by the scene unfolding before her, watching helplessly as Emily used her sharp nails to claw bloody scratches across her neck and face. Poisonous blisters erupted one after another, as if she'd been stung by venomous insects.
She looked toward Alexander and asked, "Mr. Hayes, what should we do? The doctor has already gone to arrange a transfer. Currently, Radiant Wellness Center doesn't have the facilities to treat her condition."
Alexander replied, "Has the transfer request been approved?" Hospital transfers weren't simple matters—they required uploading the patient's medical reports and coordination between facilities. Hospitals without appropriate treatment capabilities couldn't approve transfer requests.
The nurse answered, "The transfer request hasn't received feedback yet... We're searching for a hospital with suitable treatment facilities."
Alexander said, "First, restrain her hands to stop the scratching." Especially on her face, where nerves and blood vessels were densely packed—any infection could prove fatal.
Jeremy knocked on the door and entered. "Mr. Hayes, I've brought Max and Liam to the hospital. Liam wants to apply medicine to Ms. Foster, but the doctors are blocking him."
Alexander told the nurse, "Keep watch over her for now."
The nurse nodded. "Yes, sir." She immediately went to fetch restraints.
Alexander followed Jeremy to the patient room, where he saw Liam being blocked by a doctor at the doorway.
"Young man, you can't just do whatever you want! What's that thing in your hands?"
Max said, "It's medicine. Applied to the wound, it can treat infection."
The doctor chuckled upon hearing this. "Little guy, you can't just mess around like this! The patient's injuries are severe—we recommend amputation surgery to save her life. The wound carries constant risk of spreading infection. This is a hospital, not your playroom!"
Max grew angry. "What brilliant insights do you have about my mom's injuries? Besides amputation, don't you have any other solutions?"
The doctor explained, "Amputation surgery is the safest option." He certainly didn't believe a seven-year-old child could cure an infection by applying some unknown herbal concoction to a wound.
Seven years old!
His own daughter was eight and still couldn't figure out Legos.
Alexander approached with a dark expression. "Step aside!"
Seeing Alexander, the doctor hastily explained, "Mr. Hayes, you can't let your son play around like this! This is a matter of life and death—a seven-year-old child could cause a fatality if something goes wrong."
Alexander impatiently cut him off. "I'll take responsibility for any consequences!"
Max froze for a few seconds, looking at Alexander.
Alexander raised his proud chin, looking down at the doctor's face with determination. "He's my son. As his father, I'll bear all consequences he causes. I'll take responsibility."
He refused to accept the doctor's proposed amputation surgery. He wanted Grace to wake up whole and intact—not missing an arm or leg.
His imposing presence and extraordinary resolve silenced the doctor immediately.
He was gambling, after all.
Gambling that Liam could truly heal Grace.
The doctor could only yield, emphasizing once more, "Mr. Hayes, if Ms. Foster faces any life-threatening situations, the hospital takes no responsibility." The hospital dared not and could not shoulder such responsibility.
What could be more serious than a matter of life and death?
Alexander said, "You're dismissed."
"Yes..." The doctor left reluctantly.
Liam immediately pushed open the door and entered the room.
He approached the bedside and pointed at the bed—it was raised too high, and with his small stature, it would be difficult to work.
After Alexander lowered the bed, Liam carefully unwrapped the bandages. Beside him, Max looked at the bloody wound and couldn't bear to watch. He quickly turned away, clenching his fists and trembling.
So deep, so mangled—the sight of the wound broke his heart!
He couldn't bear to look again.
Liam put on a mask and examined the wound that was deep enough to expose bone. He took out the medicine package from beside him and slowly opened it.
The wound was too deep, requiring the insufflation method first.
He filled a paper tube with finely ground medicinal powder and gently blew it onto the affected area. Next, he needed to carefully apply the prepared ointment around the wound's edges, then wrap it with gauze.
Only after properly bandaging the wound did Liam finally breathe a sigh of relief. His body swayed, and he nearly collapsed.
Alexander reacted quickly, steadying him firmly, tension flashing across his face. "Liam, what's wrong?"
Liam rubbed his eyes, barely able to keep them open. "Daddy... I'm so sleepy." He'd hardly slept for the past two nights, and his stamina was nearly depleted.
As soon as he finished speaking, with a soft "thud," Liam's little head fell powerlessly onto Alexander's shoulder—he'd fallen asleep instantly.
Max looked at Liam's exhausted sleeping face with heartache. "Let him rest properly. I'll watch over Mommy."
Alexander carried Liam to the adjacent companion care room. When he returned, Max had already moved a chair beside the bed.
He gazed deeply at Grace, quietly keeping watch.
Alexander sat down beside him.
Time passed minute by minute.
Alexander hadn't slept for two days and nights either. Jeremy brought over a couch, and when Alexander tried to carry Max to it, Max pushed him away. "You go rest. I'll keep watch."
"Aren't you tired?"
"Not tired. I already rested." Max behaved like a mature adult.
In a trance, Alexander seemed to detect traces of his own younger self in Max's features.
Mature, steady, calm, wise.
For a moment, a flicker of doubt surfaced in his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
Alexander sat down on the couch, supporting his chin with one hand and closing his eyes to rest.
Before he knew it, dawn was breaking again.
Max held Grace's hand, and suddenly, he felt her fingertips twitch slightly.
"Mommy!" His voice was hoarse as he called out, looking at Grace's face with joy.
Grace weakly opened her eyes. The oxygen mask fogged up as her breathing became stronger.
Almost instinctively, her dry lips parted as she called Max's name. "Max?"
Max was incredibly delighted. He immediately stood up and leaned close to her, saying gently, "Mommy, I'm here." To ensure Grace would see him the moment she opened her eyes, he'd stayed awake all night.
Grace's blurry vision gradually became clear. Upon opening her eyes, she saw Max's gentle little face.
"Max." She weakly tried to lift her hand.
Max immediately grasped it tightly. Seeing that Grace had finally regained consciousness, he suddenly felt his eyes sting. They reddened as his voice became hoarse. "Mommy, you're finally awake..."
Grace asked with difficulty, "Max... are you... alright?" Was she dreaming?
Max was alive—but where was Liam?
Not seeing Liam, Grace asked hesitantly, "Where's Liam?"
Max said, "Liam is tired and resting. Mommy, Liam and I are both fine. We're okay." He desperately wanted to understand what had happened to Grace, but couldn't bear to ask too many questions.
Mommy had finally awakened—he didn't dare ask too much.
Grace furrowed her brow, feeling her thoughts trapped in rigid confusion. The more she tried to remember what had happened, the more her head ached.