Chapter 112 The Child Was Not Saved
Gloria was carried into the car by Caspian. Even though the heater was on, the wind hitting her soaked body didn't bring warmth—instead, the cold seemed to seep into her pores from all directions, making her shiver uncontrollably.
Fortunately, Caspian had prepared a blanket in the car for her. His movements weren't exactly gentle—almost roughly, he pulled the blanket apart and wrapped it tightly around Gloria.
Even though Caspian himself was completely drenched, he couldn't care less about changing clothes. With one arm holding Gloria and the other hand opening a thermos, he brought it to her lips.
"Drink some hot water to warm yourself up."
Gloria's body was already weak, and now with the cold and blood loss, she was on the verge of collapse.
But she didn't dare close her eyes. She was afraid that when she opened them again, she'd hear terrible news.
Her hand emerged from the blanket to grip Caspian's wrist. With tears in her eyes, she said weakly, "Caspian, the baby, my baby."
Her pale little face looked so helpless and frightened. She had been so happy buying all those clothes and toys for the children, but now she had to face the possibility of losing them.
This was something even Caspian couldn't help her with. All he could do was try his best to calm her emotions.
"Don't be scared. The doctors will help you. We'll talk more when we get to the hospital. Maybe it's not as bad as we think. Drink some water first."
Gloria took a couple of sips. Her body seemed to warm up a bit, but her heart couldn't settle down.
When they arrived at the hospital, the doctors had already been notified and had the emergency gurney ready. From doctors to nurses, everyone was standing by.
Before the car door even opened, the hospital director was already holding an umbrella. Caspian carried Gloria in a mad dash and placed her on the emergency gurney, immediately briefing the doctor on the situation.
"She accidentally fell into a pool. She's bleeding from below. No other external injuries. The priority is to save her baby."
The doctor looked at the blood-stained blanket, frowning deeply. With this amount of bleeding, she already had an idea. "We'll do our best."
Gloria was terrified. Her gaze locked onto Caspian, as if only by looking at him could she feel less helpless.
She reached out her hand. Caspian jogged alongside the emergency gurney and grasped it.
"Caspian."
"Don't be scared. I'm here. I'm right here."
Through tear-blurred eyes, Gloria looked at the man wearing only a white shirt—clearly a deity from the clouds, yet now his body was stained with bright red blood.
His hair was still damp, not completely dry, with wet strands falling across his full forehead. His eyes were no longer cold and distant.
He finally showed the emotions that ordinary people have.
It was her blood that had dirtied him.
How ridiculous—in this vast world, the only person she could rely on was Caspian.
This little boy she had brought home as a child.
A thousand words caught in her throat. With a hoarse voice, Gloria squeezed his hand back and said, "Thank you..."
Caspian wanted to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, but she had already entered the operating room.
Caspian could only stop there.
Looking at the doctor going in, he said, "No matter the cost, you must save her baby."
The surgical doors closed.
Caspian stood disheveled in the corridor, staring at the closed doors.
Since childhood, he could have anything he wanted.
Status, power, money—people bestowed upon him every superlative they could imagine.
Because he had so much, he had few real desires.
At five years old, he first learned that such poor places existed in this world.
Where people would preserve fresh meat just to make it last longer, to get through the long winter.
Where children wore patched old cotton clothes and couldn't even afford chocolate made with cocoa butter substitutes.
Yet Gloria, living in such poverty, had the brightest smile in the world.
She was a brilliant flower blooming in barren mud.
She had many wishes—to have money, live in a big house, drive a car, take Vivienne to an amusement park. She'd heard there were spinning horses that glowed at night.
When Gloria told him all this, her eyes were shining.
In that moment, Caspian seemed to understand the meaning of his existence.
He was no longer without desire. He wanted to protect her smile.
Ten million dollars back then was enough to fulfill all her wishes.
Twenty-four-year-old Caspian was the same as five-year-old Caspian. His thoughts had never changed.
He didn't want to see her tears. He loved her smile.
But at this moment, he felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
Even though he wasn't a doctor, he knew that with this amount of bleeding, Gloria's baby most likely wouldn't make it.
He possessed supreme power, yet he couldn't control the loss of life. He could only watch helplessly as it all happened.
It was his fault. If only he had arrived a little earlier, he could have prevented everything.
But no one in this world has the ability to predict the future.
The driver came over carrying a set of clean clothes.
"Mr. Rivers, please change your clothes first."
Caspian, who usually paid attention to his appearance, didn't want to leave the operating room for even a moment. Gloria's only family member was still in the nursing home. He couldn't leave, afraid something else might happen to her.
He was her only support now.
Caspian stood straight at the door, not even willing to sit while waiting for the results.
He needed to see Gloria the moment the door opened.
His voice was cold and ominous: "Have the bodyguards guard the hospital entrance. If James dares to barge in, break his legs!"
"Yes."
"Find out who's behind pushing the online rumors."
"Yes."
"Get the surveillance footage from the Williams family. I want to know how she fell into the water."
"Understood."
"Prepare some chicken soup."
"I'll take care of it right away."
In a short time, Caspian had arranged everything. Originally, he didn't want to interfere too much in Gloria's marriage—that wouldn't be gentlemanly.
But now Gloria was lying on the operating table. If she had to undergo a D&C procedure, she might never be able to have children again.
She shouldn't have to suffer alone. Those who hurt her, those who harmed her—he wouldn't let any of them off!
Just then, the operating room door opened.
It had only been a few minutes. Caspian's heart tightened.
Could Gloria have run into trouble on the operating table?
Had the heavy bleeding caused other complications?
Caspian stepped forward, his deep eyes fixed on the doctor. She was wearing a mask, so he couldn't read her expression.
"How is she?"
"Mr. Rivers, you need to prepare yourself. There's bad news and good news."
"How's her baby?"
"I'm sorry, we did everything we could. The baby couldn't be saved."
Caspian's heart clenched. With things already like this, what good news could there possibly be?
His voice was hoarse: "And the good news is?"