Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 219

Linda was in critical condition. Pediatric specialists were doing everything they could to save her. Everyone stood waiting outside the emergency room. Even Michelle had come over in a wheelchair, holding onto Eloise's hand and trying to provide some comfort.

Eloise remained standing. She was incredibly weak, but she didn't want to sit. She kept her gaze fixed on the heavy metal door. Her eyes didn't blink, in fear of missing something.

Linda was inside, fighting to stay alive. The doctor said it was a miracle she'd held on this long. It might be time to let go, as the child was suffering.

But Linda, she was still breathing every day, and clinging to this world. She wanted her mother, and she didn't want to leave.

Only when Eloise became a mother did she understand that kind of pain. The pain wasn't physical, yet it hurt a hundred times worse than if it were.

Harvey rushed over. Parker glanced at his son but didn't say anything. He knew Harvey was suffering too. Who wouldn't love Linda?

Pauline and Orlena had been crying so much they looked like tear-streaked messes, but they suppressed their sobs. Pauline whispered to Harvey, "Tell Eloise to sit down. She just gave birth ten days ago!" Pauline felt incredibly sad. As a woman, she knew how weak one could be after giving birth. Besides, Eloise had so many wounds to bear.

Harvey brought a chair for Eloise, but she refused to sit. In the end, he let her lean against him. She struggled a bit, but didn't move.

Four hours later, the emergency room door finally opened. The doctor came out, saying with visible fatigue, "We've managed to stabilize her, but the situation is still not very optimistic. Just a heads up."

Everyone understood what that meant. Even if she'd made it through this time, she might not next time. It might be time to let go.

...

No one mentioned letting go. Linda was the child that Eloise had fought for with her life. No one could bear to let go. But to prevent any regrets, the Horigan family pulled some strings and arranged a room next to the incubator where Eloise could watch her child all the time. It was a comfort, but also a torture.

Eloise stayed with her child, day and night. As the father, Harvey was also allowed to stay in the room. For the first time in days, he could be close to Eloise. She still ignored him. She often sat there, staring at Linda through the glass for hours on end.

Harvey's heart ached seeing her like this. He poured her a glass of water and put it beside her, "Eloise, you need to rest. The baby needs to rest too."

Eloise was very resistant to him. As he approached, she instinctively blocked him. The scalding water spilled all over his arm. Instantly, his skin turned red. It hurt, but Harvey acted like he didn't feel a thing. He said gently, "I'll take care of the burn. You rest."

Eloise looked at his arm. She didn't say anything and quickly looked away.

Harvey felt a sting from her cold gaze. In her eyes; there was no trace of warmth for him. It was like she was looking at a stranger. If not for Linda, she wouldn't be in the same room with him.

Harvey left hurriedly. After quietly treating his burn, he returned to the room. He couldn't bear her coldness any longer. From behind, he gently hugged her, and said with a hoarse voice, "Eloise, you can hit me or scold me, but please don't ignore me like this!"

Eloise didn't break away. Because she didn't have the strength. She knew he wanted to salvage their relationship, but in her heart, their relationship was already dead.

Eloise turned to look at him. Her eyes had lost their shine, completely devoid of light. "I’ve called you, but you didn't take it seriously. Now, there's no point. Even if you hadn't gone abroad, it might not have changed anything. I would still be hurt, and our child would still be in the ICU. But Harvey, no woman can bear her husband leaving her for his ex-wife's divorce case. Harvey, you can't imagine how I got through that hour."

Eloise's eyes were wet, "When I called, you probably hadn't taken off yet. If you could've rushed back to be there when our child was born, we wouldn't be in this situation!"