Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband novel Chapter 126

176 Cabral 24 Hour 

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126 Critical 24 Hours 

(Winona) 

Dr. Green steps out into the hospital room, his expression a blend of exhaustion and gravity. I brace myself for the worst news, 

“Dr. Green, how is he?” Judy’s voice is barely more than a whisper laced with desperation and fear. 

He takes a deep breath, his eyes meeting mine with a look that says it all. “Jayden is critical right now. He’s lost a lot of blood. We performed emergency surgery to remove the bullet. He coded twice on the table, but we were able to stabilize him. But if there’d been a third time, we’d have lost him.” 

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Judy gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. 

Dr. Green continues, “The bullet lodged up behind his heart, luckily. The angle he was on saved him but there’s extensive lung and artery damage” 

“Is he… is he going to get through this?” I manage to ask, my voice trembling. 

Dr. Green hesitates, glancing between us. “I honestly don’t know. He’s in an induced coma. It’s a standard procedure to give his body a chance to heal without any stress. We won’t know more until the swelling goes down. If he gets through the next 24 hours, he has a real chance.” 

Come on Jayden. Don’t give up now, I think 

“Did he… did he suffer brain damage?” Judy asks, her voice breaking. 

“We’re not sure yet,” Dr. Green replies gently. “There’s a possibility that he may have had oxygen deprivation for too long. We won’t know the extent of any potential damage until he wakes up. But we need to prepare for the fact that Jayden may be looking at a very different life ahead than he’s had.” 

My mind reels. What if he has no memory again when he wakes up? “Dr. Green, will this set him back with his memory?” 

“Let’s just take each day as it comes and if he opens his eyes, we’ll see how he’s doing then.” 

“I’m going to sit with him,” Judy announces. 

“No visitors for at least 24 hours,” Dr. Green continues. “His body needs time to recover. If he makes it through, we can start to reassess his condition and allow one visitor at a time. But if he codes again, I’m not sure we can bring him back.” 

The weight of his words settles over me. Jayden, lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life. He has to do this alone. My chest tightens with fear. I don’t want to be here in this sterile place waiting for news, I need to be with Abby 

7 want to stay here. I need to be close to him,” Judy insists. 

I look at her, seeing her not just as the fierce woman who’s been my adversary, but as a mother terrified for her child. Her usual controlled demeanor is gone, replaced by raw, unfiltered emotion. 

1 feel a pang of empathy for her. Despite everything, she loves Jayden fiercely, just as I do. 

“Dr. Green, I feel I’m okay. I’d like to go home to Abby. can’t handle waiting here like this all night. I’ll 

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120 Critical 24 Hour 

come back first thing in the morning to see how he’s going.” My daughter is just the tonic I need right now. 

Plus Phillip and I need to finalize things. He will be moving out and there’s no chance of us ever being anything other than friends and perhaps business associates. 

“If you’re sure. Winona, I’ll sign the release. I think you’ve had enough excitement for one day. Ladies, just pray he gets through the night. I’ll be in touch. Dr. Green says before he leaves. 

Judy looks at me, panic flickering in her tear–filled eyes. “I… I don’t know what I’ll do if he’s gone.” 

I can’t stand the thought of her being in a hospital chair all night and getting bad news. “Judy, I don’t have a car here. I need to get home to Abby. She’d love to see you. You’re welcome to come and spend some time with her. It might help the time pass.” 

“Thank you, Winona. Maybe I can leave for a while. Are you sure?” 

“I’m sure.” 

She nods, a tear slipping down her cheek. “Thank you. And… I’m sorry for everything. For how I’ve treated you. Jayden really loves you, and I see that now.” 

I’m too emotional to respond, so I just nod. Do I believe her? Maybe at this moment, it’s true. Do I believe that she’ll feel this way later on? I’m not sure I’d go that far yet. My eyes are still wide open where Judy is concerned. 

I 

But I have to admit, it feels good to have this sudden solidarity over Jayden. 

I gathered my messed up clothes and put them in the bag my new clothes came in. As I pass the nurses station, I make sure Dr. Green has given me the go ahead to leave. He has. I can’t wait to go home and see Abby and be free. 

Judy and I walk outside together in silence, and I see Gus walking near the entrance. He looks up, his eyes filled with concern. 

“Gus,” I say, my voice shaky. “Jayden… he’s in a coma. It’s critical.” 

Gus nods, his jaw tight. “Are you okay, Winona?”