While the standoff continued, Elina rushed in and pressed a stethoscope against Jaslyn’s chest. She was even faster than the attending physician.
“Signs of shock,” Elina’s face changed dramatically. “Prepare the equipment!” She turned and shouted angrily at the two still glaring at each other, “Get out if you’re not supposed to be here!”
The room instantly fell silent except for the sound of hurried footsteps. No one dared to speak again.
After working together for so many years, no one had ever seen Dr. Ford this furious. Even Jack froze at the sight of her.
Soon, only the doctors and nurses remained in the room.
Elina looked down at her daughter, whose face was deathly pale, and her heart hung in her throat. “Jaslyn, can you hear Mommy’s voice? Open your eyes and look at Mommy.”
She spoke softly as she performed emergency procedures, trying to wake her unconscious daughter.
Twenty minutes later, a nurse said excitedly, “Dr. Ford, her heart rate is back to normal, and her vitals are stable!”
Elina’s trembling hands nearly gave out. She stared at Jaslyn, not daring to blink, until finally Jaslyn’s eyes fluttered open. Only then did she let out a long, shuddering breath. “Keep monitoring her closely. If her condition worsens, transfer her to ICU immediately.”
Leaning against the bedside, Elina’s voice was shaking.
The nurse comforted her, “It’s alright now, Dr. Ford.”
Elina nodded, sweat dripping in large beads from her forehead. Even with voices of relief around her, she couldn’t shake the lingering fear.
“Mommy…” Jaslyn suddenly mumbled from the bed. “It hurts…”
Elina bent down, gently soothing her, “Mommy knows it hurts, Jaslyn. Just sleep for a bit, and you’ll feel better.”
As soon as the nurses left, Jack and Elowyn rushed back in.
“How is Jaslyn?” Jack asked urgently from behind Elina.
Elina said nothing. Only when her daughter drifted back to sleep did she slowly straighten up.
Without a word, she turned around and slapped Jack hard across the face. The loud slap echoed sharply in the quiet room. Jack stood there in shock, staring at her in disbelief.
Elowyn shoved Elina angrily, shouting, “What’s wrong with you? Jaslyn’s critical condition isn’t Jack’s fault! How dare you–”
Before she could finish, Elina raised her hand and slapped her too. “I don’t care what kind of affair you’re having. But if Jaslyn ever ends up like this again, I’ll drag both of you to hell myself!” Her voice trembled with rage, and the fire in her eyes was almost tangible.
Elowyn actually stumbled back two steps, terrified. She believed that if Elina had a knife in her hand, it would’ve already been buried in her heart.
Jack’s face turned cold. “You’re a doctor and her mother. If you can’t even take proper care of her, who do you have to blame?”
The same excuse again. Elina gave a cold laugh. “Get out. My daughter needs rest. I don’t want you two putting on an act here.”
Jack stood on the brink of losing his temper. But what enraged him wasn’t the slap. It was Elina’s defiance.
“Aunt Elowyn…” Jaslyn’s soft voice suddenly broke the tense atmosphere.
Elina turned quickly toward her, only to see Jaslyn’s tiny face puffed up in anger. “Mommy, don’t scold Aunt Elowyn. Aunt Elowyn didn’t do anything wrong!”
Even as weak as she was, she managed to look fierce while defending Elowyn.
Elina froze for a second, then swallowed her anger for the sake of her sick daughter. She asked gently, “Jaslyn, does anything else hurt? Tell Mommy.”
But Jaslyn turned her head away, refusing to even look at her. She stretched out her trembling little hand toward Elowyn instead. “Aunt Elowyn, my tummy really hurts. I want a hug.”
Seeing this, Elowyn’s flushed face instantly softened into a gentle smile. She stepped forward and scooped Jaslyn into her arms. “Aunt Elowyn is here. Don’t be afraid, Jaslyn. Be brave.”
Elina watched this scene, feeling like her already broken heart was being stabbed all over again.
“Aunt Elowyn is good. Mommy is bad,” Jaslyn sobbed, as if heartbroken for Elowyn.
Elowyn stroked her hair tenderly. “Don’t worry about anything, Jaslyn. Aunt Elowyn will do anything for you.”
Unable to watch any longer, Elina tore her eyes away, realizing her vision had blurred with unshed tears.
Once she checked the monitors and saw that Jaslyn’s vitals remained stable, she turned silently and walked out of the room.
It was still daytime, and nurses were stationed nearby, so she wasn’t worried about Elowyn causing more trouble.
Jack watched her leaving figure, then hesitated before following her out.
“Dr. Ford, the lab results for the vomit sample are ready.” A nurse hurried over with a report in hand.
Elina took it and scanned it carefully. Her brows instantly furrowed. “High levels of protein and sugar. She must have eaten dairy products or candy.”
“Gastroenteritis patients absolutely must avoid high-protein, low-nutrient foods. Didn’t I specifically say not to let her eat this stuff?” She whipped around sharply, ready to question someone, but stopped when she saw Jack standing silently at the doorway, his expression troubled.
“Where’s Lisa? How did this happen?”
Jack was silent for a moment before answering, “Maybe Lisa didn’t know about the dietary restrictions.”
But when Jack lied, his left eyebrow always twitched slightly. Elina noticed it immediately. Her heart sank. It wasn’t the nanny.
“It was Elowyn, wasn’t it?” Elina asked, her voice cold. “You knew about it?”
“No,” Jack denied without even thinking. “You’re overreacting.”
Elina stared him down. If hatred could kill, Jack would have died a thousand deaths under her gaze.
“Jack, are you even human?” Elina’s whole body trembled with anger. “You want to fool around, fine. But why hurt my daughter? Jaslyn is just a little girl!”
“I told you it wasn’t her. Can you not listen? And watch your mouth,” Jack retorted coldly, though a cloud of guilt flickered across his eyes.
Elina’s hands balled into fists, crumpling the report in her grasp.
“Fine. You don’t want to admit it? No problem.”
She took a deep breath, her expression suddenly calmer. “Jaslyn’s condition was life-threatening. Since you still want to protect Elowyn, I’m not comfortable letting Jaslyn stay with you anymore.”
Jack’s eyes brightened unexpectedly. “So, you’re planning to come back?”