Chapter 124: Retaliation
The heart monitor continued to beep rhythmically. Its tempo was much stronger now than it had been only minutes ago. Agatha stared at Xavier with a sharp, piercing gaze. Her right cheek was a vivid red. The imprint of Xavier’s fingers was clearly etched against her pale skin. She took a shallow breath and released it slowly.
"Xavier," Agatha called. Her voice was still weak, yet it held a firm tone that could not be ignored.
Xavier approached her immediately. He rested both hands on the edge of the bed. His bloodshot eyes searched hers with immense guilt. He saw tears still pooling in his wife’s eyes.
"Yes, sweetheart. I am here. Forgive me. I had to do it to keep you conscious," Xavier said, his voice sounding raw and parau.
Agatha did not answer right away. She glanced toward Pierre, who was busy adjusting the IV lines. Then she looked back at Xavier.
"Come closer. I cannot hear you clearly," Agatha murmured.
Xavier tipped his head forward. He shifted his body until his face was only a few inches from hers. He could feel the faint, cold huff of his wife’s breath.
"Do you want to say something? Just say it. I will do anything to make up for your pain," Xavier whispered.
Agatha stared into Xavier’s eyes for a long time. She saw the fear, the relief, and the love all swirling together. Suddenly, Agatha moved her right hand, which had been lying limp.
Thud!
The punch landed squarely on Xavier’s lower jaw. The sound was heavy and dull. Xavier was not prepared at all. His body staggered backward. He retreated three steps before finally managing to regain his balance.
"Ugh!" Xavier let out a short groan.
He clutched his jaw, which was already starting to throb. His head felt slightly light from the sudden impact. The nurses in the room gasped. They all stopped their work for a moment and stared at Xavier with wide eyes.
"Mr. Xavier! Are you alright?" one of the nurses asked in a panicked tone.
Xavier did not answer. He remained standing in place. His eyes were fixed on Agatha. His wife was now gasping for breath. The hand she had just used to strike him fell back onto the bed.
"That. Ugh. That was for your slap earlier," Agatha said. She tried to steady her breathing, which was beginning to race again.
Xavier remained silent. He was not angry. He did not shout in protest. Instead, a thin smile appeared at the corner of his slightly bloodied lip. He felt an overwhelming sense of happiness.
"You have quite a punch. You really have returned to me, Agatha," Xavier murmured.
Xavier stepped toward the bed again. He saw Agatha looking at him with remnants of anger, but a spark of life had returned to her gaze.
"You are bleeding," Agatha said. She pointed toward the corner of Xavier’s mouth.
"It is nothing. This is nothing compared to what you have endured since this morning," Xavier replied.
Xavier reached for Agatha’s hand. This time he did not squeeze it. He held it gently. He kissed the back of her hand repeatedly.
"Hit me again if it makes you feel better. Hit me until you are satisfied," Xavier challenged her.
"Do not test me, Xavier. My strength will return shortly," Agatha countered.
In the corner of the room, Pierre was struggling to control his expression. He turned his back to them while pretending to check the oxygen tank. His shoulders moved up and down. He tried his best to keep the laughter from escaping.
Damn. This sight is priceless, Pierre thought.
Pierre knew exactly who Xavier was. The man was a figure feared by many. No one had ever dared to punch Xavier in the jaw and be met with a smile like that. Pierre was certain that if he laughed now, Xavier might throw him out the window.
"Ahem!" Pierre cleared his throat loudly to neutralize his voice.
Pierre turned around and looked at Xavier with a forced, serious face. His eyes were still a bit watery from holding back his amusement.
"Mr. Xavier, I believe Mrs. Agatha is very much awake now. Emotion and anger are the best stimulants for the heart," Pierre said.
Xavier looked at Pierre. "Thank you, Pierre. You did an incredible job."
"You are welcome. But now, I must ask you to step out for a moment," Pierre said, pointing toward the door.
Xavier frowned. "Why? I want to stay here and watch over her."
"I must perform a final examination. I also need to clean up the remains of the emergency procedures. This room must be sterile again. The nurses will also bring your babies here shortly so Mrs. Agatha can see them," Pierre explained.
Agatha pulled on Xavier’s hand. "Go out, Xavier. I need a moment to breathe without seeing your annoying face."
Xavier looked at Agatha with resignation. "You really hate me right now?"
"Deeply. Now get out," Agatha ordered.
Xavier sighed heavily. He kissed Agatha’s forehead once more before finally moving away from the bedside. He walked toward the door with steps that were still a bit shaky. The exhaustion he had suppressed was beginning to settle into his muscles.
"I will wait outside the door. Call me if anything happens," Xavier said to Pierre.
"Of course. Go get some coffee or clean the blood off your lip," Pierre replied.
Xavier exited the delivery room. The door closed tightly behind him. As soon as Xavier disappeared, Pierre let out the laughter he had been holding back.
"Hahaha! Mrs. Agatha, you are amazing! You are the only person in this world who would dare to do that to him!" Pierre exclaimed while holding his stomach.
Agatha only snorted softly. She tried to adjust her position. "He deserved it, Pierre. My cheek still feels hot."
"But you must admit, he loves you very much. He nearly lost his mind when your heart stopped earlier," Pierre said. His voice softened.
Agatha fell silent. She stared at the clean white ceiling. The image of Xavier crying and shouting her name flashed through her mind.
"I know," Agatha whispered.
"Now, let us finish this. You want to see your children, right?" Pierre asked.
Agatha nodded weakly. "Yes. I want to see them. All three of them."
Pierre signaled to the nurse. One of the nurses exited through a side door to fetch the babies from the observation room. Pierre checked Agatha’s stitches again.
"The bleeding is completely controlled. Your blood pressure is rising slowly. You are a very strong woman, Ma'am. Surviving a condition like that is no small feat," Pierre praised.
"Thank you for not giving up on me, Pierre," Agatha answered.
A few minutes passed in a soothing silence. Suddenly, the side door opened. Three transparent baby bassinets were pushed into the room. The sound of soft whimpering began to fill the space.
Agatha tried to lift her head slightly. Her heart pounded, not from pain, but from an overflowing sense of emotion. She saw three tiny beings wrapped in different colored flannel blankets.
"Here they are," the nurse said while placing the bassinets beside Agatha’s bed.
Agatha reached out her trembling hand. She touched the tiny fingers of one of her babies. They felt incredibly soft and warm. Tears flowed down Agatha’s cheeks again.
"Hello, sweetheart," Agatha whispered.
Pierre stood at the end of the bed, observing the monitor charts. He smiled at the moment.