The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 252

Outside the observation window of the VIP ICU ward, Sebastian Thorne had been standing for an entire night.

Beyond the glass wall, the ECMO machine had been removed from Isabella, replaced by advanced monitoring equipment. Her complexion was still pale, but compared to the ashen hue she had worn right after the surgery, some color had finally returned to her cheeks. The ventilator was set to a slow rhythm as her chest rose and fell slightly with her own independent breaths. Her eyelashes fluttered faintly against her skin.

Sebastian pressed his hand flat against the glass, his fingertips turning white from the force.

"Mr. Thorne," Dr. Warren approached, keeping his voice hushed. "Mrs. Thorne has woken up and is fully conscious. We can allow one family member to put on protective gear and visit for no more than fifteen minutes."

Sebastian snapped his head around. "I'm going in."

"Of course," Dr. Warren nodded. "I'll have the nurses prepare the scrubs."

Five minutes later, clad in a full blue isolation suit, a surgical mask, and goggles, Sebastian gently pushed open the door to the ward.

The room was dead quiet, save for the rhythmic beeping of the various monitors. The sharp tang of disinfectant hung heavy in the air, mixed with the sterile scent of medication. Sebastian walked to the bedside, his footsteps impossibly light.

Isabella's eyes were half-open, her gaze somewhat unfocused until she caught sight of her son. Then, her eyes slowly locked onto him. Her lips parted as if trying to speak, but with the tracheal tube still connected to the ventilator, no sound came out.

Sebastian sat down on the edge of the bed and gently took her hand. It was cold and fragile, the skin so paper-thin that he could see the faint blue veins tracing beneath the surface.

"Mom," his voice was slightly muffled through the mask, but remarkably tender. "It's over. The surgery was a success. You made it."

Isabella's fingers twitched faintly against his palm.

Sebastian gripped her hand tighter. "Don't be afraid. I'm right here. The doctors said you're past the most dangerous part. All you have to do now is rest and recover."

Tears slipped from the corners of Isabella's eyes, disappearing into the graying hair at her temples.

Using his other hand, Sebastian clumsily but carefully wiped the tears away. "No more crying. Mom, no more crying. From now on... I won't let anyone hurt you ever again. I swear it."

He spoke slowly, making sure she felt the weight of every single word.

The door to the ward was pushed open again, and Alister walked in, wearing the same protective gear. He stepped lightly to the bed, taking one look at his sister before his eyes immediately reddened.

"Izzy," he called her affectionately, his voice choked with emotion. "You scared the hell out of me."

Looking at her brother, Isabella's tears only fell faster.

Alister reached out and patted the back of her other hand. "It's okay now. It's over. You have Sebastian, and you have me. Nobody is ever going to bully you again."

He paused, his tone shifting into something far more severe. "Listen to me. Just focus on getting better. Don't waste another second thinking about those awful things. That bastard isn't worth it."

A nurse stepped into the room and murmured, "Mr. Thorne, Mayor Blackwood. Time is up."

Sebastian nodded and reluctantly let go of his mother's hand. "Mom, I'll come see you again tomorrow. Get some rest."

Isabella blinked heavily in acknowledgment.

The two men left the ward, stripping off their protective gear in the buffer zone and sanitizing themselves. As they stepped back to the observation window, they saw Evelyn Sullivan walking down the hall toward them.

She had changed into a crisp white lab coat, her hair tied back in a neat ponytail, holding a medical chart. Despite being up all night, her steps were steady, and her eyes were crystal clear.

Sebastian immediately gravitated toward her.

"Dr. Sullivan," he said, an urgent edge to his voice that he hadn't even realized was there. "You're here."

Evelyn nodded, glancing through the glass. "How is Mrs. Thorne doing?"

"She woke up. Completely lucid," Sebastian replied. "Alister and I just went in to see her."

"That's good to hear," Evelyn said, pushing open the door to the ward to gear up in the isolation scrubs.