Tangled Temptations novel Chapter 361

Parker had just left.

Jeffrey's mother, escorted by a few members of the Velona family, stumbled over. One of them was Olga. She was Max's sister.

"How's Jeffrey doing?" Aliza clutched Harvey's arm tightly, visibly shaken.

Even though Harvey was distraught, he still patiently comforted her, "He's not in any life-threatening danger, but it's going to be a long recovery... I'll find the best plastic surgeon."

Plastic surgeon... Aliza's legs went weak.

Right then, a doctor approached to explain Jeffrey's condition. Thankfully, he was conscious, and the Velonas immediately went over to see him.

Across the corridor, Harvey could still hear Aliza's piercing cries. She must have been unable to accept her son's disfigurement.

Harvey felt terrible inside. Pauline gently patted his shoulder, softly saying, "Harvey, go take care of your wounds. I'll stay here with Eloise. If she wakes up and sees you like this, she'll be scared."

Leaning against the wall, Harvey ruffled his hair, his mind in chaos. "Mom, I'm not in the mood."

Although Pauline was concerned, she ultimately didn't say anything more and stayed outside the emergency room with Harvey.

Time dragged on.

One hour went by.

Two hours...

After four hours, the emergency room doors swung open, and the doctor removed his mask.

"How's my wife?" Harvey rushed forward.

The doctor paused for a few seconds before speaking softly, "Mr. Horigan, upon examination, Mrs. Horigan hasn't suffered severe external injuries, but she has sustained a moderate concussion from the debris impact. Normally, she should have woken up by now, but strangely, there's no sign of her regaining consciousness. Moreover, her bodily functions are in a hibernative state, sort of like she’s in power-saving mode."

Harvey froze slightly.

The doctor sighed, "Mrs. Horigan is pregnant, and if she doesn't wake up within a week, I'm afraid it could be detrimental to the baby."

"Isn't there any way to wake her up?"

"We'll see tomorrow morning."

...

The doctor re-entered the emergency room.

Harvey leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling all his strength drain away. Pauline supported him; her voice trembled as tears rolled down her face, "Harvey, you have to hold on. Eloise will wake up."

Harvey tilted his head back slightly.

He whispered, "Mom, I should have been nicer to her."

Maybe Eloise was just tired. If he had treated her better, would she not bear to sleep and wake up right away?

...

Eloise was moved to a hospital room.

She lay there in a blue and white hospital gown, silent, with the slight bulge of her belly visible beneath a thin blanket. Her face was a bit pale, with a few abrasions on her cheek.

Harvey refused a blood transfusion, got his wounds treated, changed clothes, and stayed by her bedside. He held Eloise's cold hand, staring intensely at her face.

Pauline watched him, her soul seemingly lost, and couldn't help but wipe away tears.

Harvey murmured, "Mom, go check on the Velonas and see if they need any help."

Pauline nodded. Their family owed the Velonas a great debt of gratitude; they couldn't just stand by.

She left, and the room fell silent. Only Harvey and Eloise remained. A tear fell on the back of Eloise's hand. It was Harvey's tear.

"Eloise, I regret it so much, I shouldn't have let you go to the premiere."

"I know I shouldn't have kept you locked up, but if I had the chance to do it all over again, I'd have rather kept you at home all the time..."

Hot tears splashed on Eloise's hand but she remained unresponsive. Just as the doctor had said, she was in hibernation, unable to hear his calls or his confessions. Even though the love she had longed for all her life was right beside her, she couldn't embrace it.

The night grew deeper.

Harvey looked out at the heavy snow, speaking softly, "It's snowing hard outside. Everything’s covered in white, and the kids must be thrilled at home. If you wake up, I’ll take you home, and you can hold a hot mug of milk and watch the children making snowmen outside."

As he spoke, he gently caressed Eloise's face. Her skin was slightly cold.

Harvey's eyes swelled with sorrow. He was in so much pain that he couldn't help but bury his face in her neck. His voice was even more restrained. "Eloise, the doctor said you might wake up in the morning, but I can't wait for even a second."

He was scared, terrified of the unforeseen. He dared not close his eyes for a moment, afraid of missing the instant she awoke. But from night until dawn, with the world outside blanketed in silvery white, Eloise still hadn't woken up. Her body temperature seemed even lower.

Dawn broke.

Parker, who had been busy all night, hurried back to the hospital. He was covered in frost, taking care to hang his coat outside before entering quietly. "Has she not woken up yet?"

Harvey nodded.

Parker silently handed over breakfast, saying softly, "I've sent your mom to look after the kids. They don't know yet."

Harvey's gaze was still fixed on Eloise.

Parker clapped his son's shoulder. "You've lost so much blood and been up all night. Eat something so you can take care of your wife. Listen to me, just this once."

Harvey nodded. He ate quickly and then sat back by Eloise's bedside. He talked to her about the kids, hoping to rouse her.

Parker watched his son's frantic state, knowing this wasn't right, but he couldn't persuade his son otherwise. If the roles were reversed, he wouldn't be calm either.

The doctor came to check and couldn't help but shake his head.

Harvey stood up, his tone calm. "What happens if she never wakes up?"

Faced with such a devoted family member, the doctor seemed heartbroken, speaking softly, "The most immediate concern is for the baby, but if this persists for a long time, it could have significant effects on Mrs. Horigan's health."

Everything was uncertain; it depended on Eloise's will.

The doctor quietly left.

The hospital room fell back into a deadly silence, broken only by the sound of snowflakes falling outside the window.

Parker stood by the window. He, too, felt grief, having grown to love Eloise like his own daughter, Orlena. Thinking about what might happen in the future, he couldn't help but shed tears.

At that moment, a voice broke the silence from behind. "Heard Master Lee call me hot-headed and my bond with family is thin. Dad, is it because of me that Eloise keeps getting hurt?"

Parker's eyes reddened, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Nonsense. You both are fine. Harvey, don't you ever think that way."

Harvey's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He watched over Eloise's sleeping face, gently brushing a lock of hair from her forehead. They had only just fallen in love; how could she bear to ignore him like this? “Eloise, how long will you sleep?”

Time had never felt so agonizingly slow. Each second seemed like a punishment to him.