Divorced the Cheat Married the Fleet (Camilla and Lance) novel Chapter 473

The doctor explained, "He was forced to ingest a significant amount of nerve-altering drugs. He induced vomiting multiple times, which took a severe toll on his stomach. There are also track marks from injections on his body. We'll need to keep him under observation for a few days, but rest assured, his life isn't in danger. He'll wake up soon."

Before long, Lance was transferred to a regular ward.

Hearing that he was out of danger, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. Jeniffer clenched her fists and cursed, "That Sarah better count her lucky stars he's okay, or I'd go back and tear her apart right now."

Their grandfather sighed wearily. "Enough. Let's go see him. Why do you insist on talking like a thug?"

Jeniffer didn't argue further, following the old man to Lance's new room.

Camilla was already there.

Even though the doctor had assured them Lance was fine, seeing his deathly pale face and closed eyes made a suffocating wave of anxiety wash over her. She was so used to his playful, teasing demeanor that this overwhelming silence left her completely unmoored.

When Jeniffer and their grandfather entered the room, a heavy silence fell over them.

Lance had only been gone for a few days, but anyone could see the drastic weight loss. His cheekbones jutted out sharply, and deep, bruised circles shadowed his eyes. He looked incredibly sickly.

He had always been such an optimistic man.

It was as if nothing in the world could ever knock him down.

Seeing him completely wasted away made it painfully obvious that he had been through hell over the past week.

Camilla gripped his hand tightly, desperately clinging to the warmth of his palm in an attempt to ground her floating, panicked heart.

They had only just confessed their feelings for each other. They hadn't even had the chance to celebrate properly. She hadn't been able to tell him exactly how much she loved him, or reintroduce Jasper to him as a family, and now he was...

At the thought, a choked sob escaped her, and a tear slipped free, splashing directly onto the back of his hand.

The man in the bed twitched his fingers. Camilla felt the slight movement instantly and jerked her head up, her gaze locking with his slowly opening eyes.

Her vision was blurred with tears, but she could clearly see that his gaze was fixed right on her.

She hastily wiped her eyes. "Lance, you're awake. Are you in pain anywhere? I'll go get the doctor, I..."

She had never known she could be this fragile. She never realized worrying about someone could make her lose complete emotional control.

She felt entirely selfish. She actually resented him for risking his life for Tessa.

Lance gently patted her back. "Don't cry, Camilla. I knew what I was doing. I haven't watched Jasper grow up yet, and I haven't married you yet. I'm not ready to die."

His comfort did absolutely nothing to quell her anger. "So getting hurt is just perfectly fine? Look at yourself, Lance. Look at how much weight you've lost. If Jasper walked in right now, he wouldn't even recognize you."

"My fault. It's all my fault. Please don't cry, okay?" he coaxed, his hand continuing its soothing rhythm on her back. He tried his best to sound gentle, but the raspy, broken quality of his voice masked any real emotion.

Camilla lowered her gaze to his pale, exhausted face. Despite her lingering anger, she couldn't bring herself to keep arguing with him. "Are you sure you aren't in pain? Should I really not get the doctor?"

"No, just stay here and talk to me," he said softly.

She scoffed through her tears. "Talk? You've completely lost your voice. Get some rest. I'm going to go make you some hot soup to soothe your throat, and then I'll bring Jasper over."