The Day I Stopped Waiting Was the Day He Started Begging novel Chapter 41

Madeline Monroe threw on a coat and went straight to the hospital.

When Seraphina James came downstairs and didn't see her, she asked Susan, "Where did Madeline go?"

"She went out just now on some business."

Seraphina frowned. She was somewhat unhappy about it, but didn't dwell on it.

After all, they were husband and wife. York Yates was injured because of Madeline, yet Madeline acted like she didn't care at all. What mother would be happy about that?

Still, she didn't show her displeasure openly.

"Take good care of York. I'll have the family doctor come over this afternoon."

She gave a few more instructions and left.

At the hospital.

Fiona Xavier and Sloane Sutton were waiting outside the ER. Madeline jogged over, still trying to catch her breath.

"Fiona, Sloane, thank you so much. How is Evie?"

"The doctor said they need to do a full observation. It's probably pneumonia or something. It's flu season right now, so don't worry too much, Maddy."

Sloane looked at their pale faces and slung her arms over both of their shoulders.

"Fiona, Maddy, sit down. Doctors love to scare people. Let's just wait."

Madeline sat on the chair, closing her eyes to calm down, silently clenching her fists in a suffocating wave of anxiety.

Evie was premature. Madeline had endured twenty-eight hours of grueling labor, ending in an emergency C-section and a severe hemorrhage before Evie was finally born.

Right after birth, Evie was placed in an incubator. The doctors said the baby was too weak and tiny. It wasn't until a week later that Madeline got to hold her for the very first time.

Evie had always had a weak constitution and caught colds easily if they weren't extremely careful, which was why Fiona was always so attentive.

Madeline never fully grasped this before, but now that she was a mother, she realized that when you truly love your child, even a minor cold or a slight fever could tear your heart apart.

After another agonizing half hour, the doctor walked out of the ER.

"Where are the child's parents?"

She placed her hand gently over her daughter's heart, a heavy lump forming in her throat.

It was her fault.

If only she had been more careful during her pregnancy. If only she hadn't gone to San Francisco.

She just wanted Evie to be safe.

Evie's current condition wasn't critical. After a night of observation, she would be ready for discharge.

Madeline didn't return to the Yates Manor that night, opting to sleep with Evie in her arms at the hospital.

Early the next morning, Hunter Holt called, inviting Madeline out for lunch.

Because of her daughter's situation, Madeline hadn't slept well at all. Her dreams had been plagued by terrifying news, leaving her exhausted.

She initially wanted to refuse, but when Hunter mentioned matters regarding work, Madeline didn't push back.

She had to work hard to build a nest egg for her daughter.