The Day I Stopped Waiting Was the Day He Started Begging novel Chapter 177

Madeline nodded. When Evie was wheeled out, she followed closely behind all the way to the ICU.

Looking at that tiny body in the hospital bed, the life that was bound to her by blood, and listening to the steady rhythm of the ventilator, she leaned against the glass partition as tears streamed endlessly down her face.

After so many years and everything she had been through, she was no longer as fragile as she used to be.

But for some reason, tonight, she simply couldn't stop crying.

She had completely lost control of her emotions.

"Madeline, you need to get some rest."

"Dr. Zale just told me that from the moment the surgery was scheduled until now, you haven't slept in twenty-four hours."

Madeline composed herself, wiped away her tears, and regained her usual calm demeanor.

"I'm not tired. Hunter, you should head back and get some rest too."

"I..."

Madeline's body swayed as a sudden bout of dizziness hit her, forcing her to instinctively brace herself against the wall.

Hunter noticed something was wrong and immediately reached out to press his hand against her forehead.

Her forehead was burning up.

"Madeline, you're running a fever."

"Come on, I'm taking you to see a nurse."

Hunter frowned, his tone brokering no argument.

Madeline opened her mouth to refuse, but her vision suddenly went black, and she collapsed straight forward.

Hunter scrambled to catch her in his arms.

Looking down at the unconscious woman in his embrace, he brushed a stray lock of hair from her temple and let out a low sigh.

"So many years have passed, yet you're still as stubborn as ever."

He scooped her up into his arms and called for help from the nurse's station.

Madeline had already been exhausted, staying awake for an entire day and night fueled purely by adrenaline.

With Evie's surgery finally over, the extreme emotional whiplash of sorrow and relief had caused her body to give out, resulting in her fainting.

Thankfully, it wasn't too serious.

Her fever broke in the middle of the night.

When Madeline woke up the next morning, her head was no longer swimming in the heavy fog from the night before.

Just as she was about to get out of bed, Hunter, who had returned with breakfast, gently pressed her shoulders back down.

"Madeline, you're not made of iron. Lie back down."