Chapter 77 Emergency
Brielle's POV
Daylan left for his apartment to get some things ready for his meeting with Tim. I still didn’t feel well. The dizziness that had plagued me from last night returned with a vengeance, making the room spin. My breaths came in shallow gasps, and I could feel the color draining from my face.
I tried to calm myself, but the nausea and dizziness were overwhelming, every light too bright. My body felt heavy, and I fought to stay conscious, gripping the armrest of the sofa. But then I sat on the sofa instead.
After a while, there was a knock on the door. I got up slowly, my body still feeling weak from last night. When I opened the door, Rick stood there, a concerned look on his face.
"Hey," he said, stepping inside. "I heard about the event. How are you holding up?"
I forced a smile. "I'm doing okay, just trying to take it easy."
Rick frowned, his eyes scanning my face. "You don't look okay. You look exhausted."
"I am," I admitted, closing the door and leading him to the living room. "It's been a lot to handle."
We sat down on the sofa, and Rick turned to face me. "Tell me what happened. I heard some things, but I want to hear them from you."
I sighed. "The event was supposed to be a celebration, but it turned into a nightmare. Annabella ignored me the whole time, and then Tabitha made a speech introducing my book."
Rick raised an eyebrow. "Your book?"
"Yeah," I said, feeling a mixture of pride and anxiety. "Your father helped get it published without telling me. It was supposed to be a surprise, but it was just too much."
Rick nodded slowly. "I can imagine. That must have been overwhelming."
"Annabella wanted to take credit for all the hard work that I poured into the event. I believe it was a success until she ruined the evening. She threw my books on the floor and she nearly attacked your mother. And then she came for me. Luckily, she just shoved me and the security got her. Your father was very protective of me and your mother. He proves that daily, and I admire him for doing his best," I gave him a faint smile.
He shook his head in disappointment, "This was all my fault from the beginning. It must've been awful."
"It was," I said, my voice trembling. "I was so shocked, and then I just... I couldn't breathe. I had to get out of there."
Rick's expression softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry. "
"You already apologized," tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "And now I just feel so drained," I said, but I do know that it's my condition.
Rick reached out, taking my hand in his. "Hey, it's okay. You are going through a lot. It's normal to feel this way."
I nodded, grateful for his support. "Thanks."
"Of course," he said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm always here for you."
"Have you promised anything to Annabella when you two were... together, and you grew out of love for me?" I asked.
He smiled, "Yeah, I promised her that I would leave you so that we could build a new life and achieve our goals together. She wanted it all, but I ruined ours for my weakness, and now she has turned out the way she is now towards you," he said with so much disappointment in his voice.
"Well, I knew you had to promise her the world due to her reactions towards me."
Just as I started to relax and stand up so that I could take my medication to feel better, a wave of dizziness washed over me. I gripped the edge of the sofa, trying to steady myself.
"Brie?" Rick's voice was filled with concern. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I feel really dizzy."
Rick's eyes widened in alarm. "You need to lie down. Here, let me help you."
He helped me lie back on the sofa, his hand on my forehead, checking my temperature. "I think we need to get you to the hospital."
I shook my head weakly. "No, I just need to rest."
"Brielle, I don't want anything to happen to you. You are pregnant, and I don't know much about medical things," Rick said, his voice tense. "I'm calling my Dad."
He pulled out his phone and dialed Daylan's number, his hands shaking. After a few rings, it went to voicemail.
"Dad, it's Rick. Brielle isn't really well. Please call me back as soon as you get this," he said, his voice rising with panic.
As he ended the call, I tried to sit up to prove that I didn't need Daylan. I felt another wave of dizziness, my vision blurring. "Rick, I don't feel so good."
"Hang in there," he said, his voice trembling. "I'm going to call an ambulance."
I tried to protest, but the words wouldn't come. My breaths were shallow as I lay back down, and I could feel myself slipping away.
Rick's voice grew frantic as he spoke to the emergency operator. "Yes, I need an ambulance. My friend is very sick. She's dizzy and having trouble breathing. Please hurry."
He turned back to me, his face pale with worry. "Brielle, stay with me. Help is on the way."
I nodded weakly, trying to hold on. Rick's voice seemed distant, and I felt myself fading in and out of consciousness.
When the paramedics arrived, everything became a blur of lights and sounds. I was lifted onto a stretcher, an oxygen mask placed over my mouth and nose. Rick's face appeared above me, his eyes filled with fear.
"You're going to be okay," he said, "Just hang on."
I tried to respond, but the mask made it difficult. The last thing I saw before everything went black was Rick's frantic face as he tried to stay strong for me.
When I came to again, I was lying on a stretcher, an oxygen mask over my mouth and nose. The harsh lights of the ambulance flashed above me, and I could hear the distant wail of the siren. Rick was beside me, his face a mixture of fear and relief.
“You’re awake,” he said, his voice shaking. “Just hang on. We are almost at the hospital.”
I tried to speak, but the mask made it difficult once again. My vision blurred, and I felt myself slipping back into unconsciousness. The last thing I heard was Rick’s frantic voice as he tried to call Daylan again.