Chapter 23 Chapter 23
Tessa
We waited patiently in front of the emergency door, anticipating the doctor's update.
My body was still shaking, but less than when we first arrived. My mom continued to weep, her tears a testament to her genuine care for Mr. Carter.
I sat beside her, consumed by guilt. I regretted my actions, sleeping with Mr. Carter. I couldn't understand what had drawn me to him, but now I regretted it. My mom's heartbreak state was evident in her reaction, she seemed so lost, and I feared how she would react if she discovered my relationship with him.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I sat on the floor, lost in the memories. The emergency room doors swung open, and I stood up with my mom, rushing toward the doctor.
"Doctor, what happened? How is his condition? Is he okay?" she cried out not giving the doctor a chance to answer the questions one after the other, desperation was evident in her voice.
The doctor nodded reassuringly. "We're glad to say he'll be able to go home soon, although his condition is still a little bit critical. We're confident he'll pull through." He said those words with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you, doctor, thank you very much" my mum appreciated and I also nodded along.
"What about the payment? The doctor asked.
"I made the half payment. The remaining half will be paid before evening...oh before midnight." Mum said realizing it was already evening.
The doctor nodded twice before walking away.
I directed my gaze to Mum, holding her hand with a sly smile trying to comfort "Mr. Carter is a strong man, I told you. He'll come out of this alive." She smiled sadly, her eyes red from crying.
"I know, dear. He's strong." She pulled me into a tight hug, her tears soaking my shoulder.
"I think you should go home now, Mom. You should change into something more comfortable." I said, noticing her office suit and heels.
She pulled away from the rug and stared at herself. "Oh, that's true. I need to get changed. I'm tired," she cried, touching her forehead.
"I promised I'll stay here with Mr. Carter," I said. "I'll wait until he's out of the emergency room."
"Okay, sweetie. I'll be back in a jiffy." She turned and headed home.
I remained in front of the emergency room, praying for Mr. Carter's recovery. The doctor had assured us he'd be okay, and I clung to those words.
I sat down on the floor, wrapping my legs together, and crying slowly, regretting my actions with him. No matter how hard I tried to forget about it, I kept going back.
Soon, the emergency door swung open, he was wheeled out on a stretcher. His head and parts of his body were bandaged, leaving only his pale face visible.
I walked beside him, trying to touch him, but the doctor restricted me from doing so.
They pushed him to ward 306, which I memorized in case my mom arrived, Inside the ward, the nurse attended to Mr. Carter, fixing drips and ensuring he was comfortable.
Once the nurse left, I tried holding his hand, but it was wounded and was bandaged. I cried even more, overcome with emotion.
I rested my head on the table, thinking of resting for a few minutes, but I fell asleep.
My mom's voice woke me up, and I saw her holding a food box.
"You seem to be sleeping," she said, her face still pale but looking better than before.
I stood up, giving her the seat, "Yes I am" I proclaimed.
"I noticed you just prepared the dinner before coming here so I brought some food for you" She raised the box maybe just to cheer me up but that failed cause tears welled up in my eyes, and I started crying again.
"What happened?" but I couldn't speak. I knelt, clutching my chest, and cried heavily.
My mom pulled me into a hug, asking, "Why are you crying again? I told you to stop crying." Her voice was barely audible, as she was also soaking in tears.
I quickly wiped my tears, not wanting to make her cry more. "Nothing, Mom, nothing," I said, unsure why I was crying. Perhaps it was the love my mom had for Mr. Carter and the fact that I regretted my actions.
She helped me stand up, and I walked to the corner of the room to bring another chair. I placed it beside the bed and sat down.
She served the food and gave me but I hesitated for a minute before having it.
But then she asked, "You don't like Mr. Carter, and you don't accept him as your father, so why are you crying when you hear he had an accident?" My hand froze, unable to put the food in my mouth.
I raised my gaze, meeting my mom's questioning face. I dropped my eyes, feeling guilty.
"Was I not supposed to care about his accident?" I asked, trying to compose myself despite my shaking voice.
She nodded understandingly. "I know, dear. It's natural to care." She smiled, but I couldn't shake off my thoughts.
"How I wish I could turn back time," I whispered, regretting my intimacy with him. "I wish I could erase those memories."
Seems Mom noticed my distress and asked, "What's wrong?"
I hesitated for a while before opening my lips to speak, "Mom if you found out I was intimate with Mr. Carter, what would you do?" I asked catching her off guard
"What's behind this question?" She raised a brows
"If I told you he raped me, would you believe me or him?" I pressed further.
She dropped her attention on me "What's going on? Are you okay?" Her voice trembled.
Tears welled up in my eyes. "Everything's not okay, Mom." My voice cracked.
"Explain, dear. What's happening?" Her body began shaking as if she sensed the truth.
I took a deep breath. "Mom, I'm sorry. It was a mistake. I never planned to sleep with your husband."
My mom's eyes widened in shock.