Chapter 195: Condition Deteriorates

Chapter 195: Condition Deteriorates

Diana looked at him, her heart a tangle of conflicting emotions.

Just then, her phone suddenly rang.

It was Glenn.

"Dr. Johnson, we have a problem! Mrs. Young's condition has suddenly deteriorated. The situation is critical!"

Diana's face went pale. "I'm on my way!"

She hung up and turned to Charles.

"Your grandmother's condition has worsened. We need to get to Hope Memorial Hospital right now!"

Charles went white as a sheet.

"Grandmother…"

The three of them rushed to Hope Memorial Hospital immediately.

On the way, Charles gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"She's going to be fine. She has to be fine…" He kept repeating it like a mantra.

Diana looked at him and felt her resolve soften.

"Charles, don't worry. I'm here."

Charles glanced at her, his eyes reddening.

"Diana, thank you."

When they arrived at the hospital, Glenn was already waiting outside the OR.

"Dr. Johnson, thank God you're here!" Glenn said urgently. "Mrs. Young went into cardiac arrest. We managed to get her heart beating again, but the situation is grim."

Diana immediately changed into surgical scrubs and rushed into the operating room.

Charles stood outside, drained of all strength.

Jason walked up to him, hesitated, then reached out and tugged at his sleeve.

"My mom is really good at what she does. Mrs. Young will be okay."

Charles looked down at Jason, and tears finally spilled down his cheeks.

"Jason, thank you."

Jason turned his head away. "I'm not trying to comfort you," he muttered. "I just don't want my mom's efforts to go to waste."

Charles managed a bitter smile, but somehow felt warmth spreading through his chest.

The surgery lasted a full six hours.

When Diana emerged from the OR, she was nearly collapsing from exhaustion.

Charles rushed forward to steady her.

"Diana, how is she?"

Diana pulled off her mask, exhaustion etched in every line of her face. "It was just complications from the previous surgery—within expected parameters. She's out of immediate danger, but we need to monitor her closely going forward."

Charles exhaled deeply and pulled Diana into a tight embrace.

"Thank you, Diana. Thank you."

Diana froze, wanting to push him away but finding herself too weak.

"Charles, let go."

"Just a little longer. Just a moment," Charles said, his voice breaking. "Diana, I was so scared of losing her—just like I was terrified of losing you all those years ago."

Diana's heart twisted painfully.

She stopped struggling and let him hold her.

Jason stood nearby, watching the scene, and suddenly made a decision.

Maybe he should give this man a chance.

Not for Charles's sake, but for his mother's happiness.

 

A week later, the kindergarten sports day arrived as scheduled.

Diana was dragged out of bed early by an excited Daisy, who was bouncing around like a happy sparrow.

"Mommy, is Mr. Windsor coming today?"

"Yes, he is." Diana finished tying Daisy's hair. "He promised you both."

Jason sat nearby, expressionless. "If he stands us up, I'm having Uncle Lucas hack Windsor Group's website."

Diana didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Jason, stop threatening to hack his website."

"I'm just preparing for contingencies," Jason said flatly.

At the kindergarten, the playground was already crowded with parents and children.

Diana walked in with Jason and Daisy, immediately drawing attention.

"Isn't that Dr. Johnson? I heard she's an internationally renowned cardiac surgeon."

"Really? She looks so young!"

"It's true! I saw her at the hospital once—her skills are incredible!"

Diana ignored the whispers and found a spot to sit with the children.

Daisy looked around eagerly, her little face full of anticipation.

"Mommy, where's Mr. Windsor?"

"Don't worry, it's still early," Diana soothed.

Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance.

"Oh my God, that's Charles Windsor, CEO of Windsor Group!"

"It really is him! What's he doing at a kindergarten?"

"I heard he's here for his kids' sports day. Does he have children?"

Diana looked up to see Charles striding in, dressed in casual athletic wear.

His eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on Diana, Jason, and Daisy, and immediately lit up.

"Diana! Jason! Daisy!" Charles walked over quickly.

Daisy immediately launched herself into his arms. "Mr. Windsor, you came!"

Charles caught her and smiled. "Of course I did. Daddy promised you."

The surrounding parents stood frozen in shock.

"What? Mr. Windsor has kids?"

"No way—hasn't he always been single?"

"My God, if this gets out, a lot of hearts are going to break."

Diana felt the stares and shifted uncomfortably.

Jason remained calm. "You realize showing up like this will make headlines tomorrow, right?"

Charles smiled. "Let it. I want the whole world to know I have two amazing kids."

Diana shot him a look. "Charles, watch what you say."

"I'm not saying anything wrong." Charles looked at her seriously. "Diana, I mean it."

Just then, the kindergarten principal, Ms. Crawford, approached them.

"Mr. Windsor, Dr. Johnson, welcome to our sports day." Ms. Crawford beamed. "Our first event is the parent-child relay race—parents and children work together."

Daisy's hand shot up immediately. "I want to be on Mr. Windsor's team!"

Jason surprised everyone by adding, "Me too."

Diana looked at their hopeful faces and finally nodded.

"Then you three can be a team. I'll cheer you on from the sidelines."

"No!" Daisy shook her head. "Mommy has to join too! We need all four of us—like a real family!"

Diana froze.

The words struck something deep inside her—tender and almost forgotten. It had been so long since she'd heard such a thing.

Charles looked at her, his gaze gentle. "Diana, join us?"

Diana hesitated, then finally nodded.

The race began.

Jason ran the first leg. Despite his young age, he was fast, quickly passing the ball to Daisy.

Daisy took the ball and ran with all her might, her face flushed with effort, drawing cheers from the crowd.

When Charles's turn came, he grabbed the ball and sprinted forward with the precision of a professional athlete.

Diana ran the final leg.

She seized the ball and flew toward the finish line.

When she crossed it, the entire field erupted in applause.

"We won!" Daisy jumped up and down.

Even Jason allowed himself a rare smile.

Charles swept both Jason and Daisy into his arms, grinning like a child himself.

"We're champions!"

Diana stood to the side, watching the heartwarming scene, her emotions tangled and complex.

Maybe giving him a chance wasn't such a bad idea after all.

But just then, a discordant voice suddenly cut through the air.