Cayden's nostrils were assailed by a potent smell of blood and disinfectant.
Sitting by Avery's hospital bed, his tall figure cut a forlorn image. His fingers trembled as he touched her bloodied hair.
Cayden caressed Avery's delicate face, tracing the curve of her cheekbones. As he moved his fingers downward, he could not help but notice the low body temperature on her skin. Against her pale skin, her long eyelashes appeared darker than ever before.
Miscarriage, D&C, amputation—the doctor's words echoed in his ears again, causing him to clench his fists. He could almost picture the bloody scene of Avery being hit by a car.
He had never laid a hand on Avery as she was the apple of his eye. Yet now, she lay breathless in bed like a withering bloom. It was as if she was about to disappear from the world.
The figure on the hospital bed appeared fragile and delicate, tugging at Cayden's heartstrings. Cayden tenderly grasped Avery's hand, which felt icy to the touch due to the severe blood loss. Her once-soft fingers now seemed lifeless and cold.
At that moment, Avery could no longer hold his hand back and draw circles on his palm like she used to.
Memories of the past flooded his mind. Yet, the brutal reality before him caused Cayden to lose his composure and feel a tightness in his chest.
A few hours ago, Avery sent him a message informing him where she was going.
Yet, the next second, she appeared before him in such a tragic state. How could he not be filled with a burning sense of rage?
Avery's driver, Jeremy, looked at the grim-faced Cayden and said cautiously, “The culprit who caused the accident had fled, Mr. Moore. I'm not sure if it was a case of drunk driving or something else.”
Cayden suddenly turned to him and said indifferently, “Track him down no matter what it takes!”
Jeremy nodded in acknowledgment. He was not just a driver but also a skilled veteran with excellent investigative abilities. Having retired from the military, he was recruited by Cayden to become Avery's driver.
After speaking to Cayden for a few more minutes, Jeremy departed to investigate the accident.
“Daddy...” The two children ran up to Cayden. Their faces were filled with fear and worry as they looked upon their mother, who lay still and motionless on the hospital bed.
“I'm sorry, Daddy. It's all my fault. If I didn't suddenly feel a stomachache and got off the car to go to the bathroom, Mommy wouldn't have...” Rory burst into tears again while hugging her father's leg and apologizing, “Daddy, you can punish me. I'm sorry...”
The girl grabbed his hand. Her delicate face reddened from the tears that streamed down her cheeks.
Cayden, who now had a clearer picture of the incident, did not blame her. “This is all an accident. It's not your fault, so stop crying, okay? It'll break Mommy's heart when she wakes up and sees you crying like this.”
Cayden held his weeping daughter in his arms, pressing his forehead against hers to hide his vulnerability from the prying eyes around him.
Rory, who bore a striking resemblance to Avery, had always been Cayden's favorite.
Although the accident that caused Avery's serious injuries was indirectly related to Rory's recklessness, Cayden didn't want his young daughter to carry the weight of guilt on her shoulders at such a tender age.
Rory continued sobbing in her father's arms for a while before her tears subsided.
After glancing at Avery with her puppy eyes, she turned to Cayden and asked, “Daddy, when will Mom wake up? When Mom wakes up, I must apologize to her.”
“Mommy is tired. She needs to rest for at least a couple of days.” Cayden gazed at the frail Avery with tremulous eyes.
Avery's inability to react was a constant, sharp knife that relentlessly tortured Cayden's already frayed nerves.
All of a sudden, this man, known for his steadiness and tenacity, was overwhelmed with fear and anxiousness.
Zachary lay beside the bed, and his forehead creased with worry. “Daddy, the doctor said the baby couldn't be saved. Does that mean we won't have a little brother or sister anymore?”
He and his sister had often caressed their mother's belly and whispered to the baby inside, eagerly awaiting its arrival.
Zachary and Rory had been looking forward to welcoming the baby to the family. When the doctor delivered the devastating news that the baby could not be saved, they were absolutely distraught.
Cayden closed his eyes tightly as if he had been struck by a sharp blade to the heart. “You will have other brothers and sisters in the future,” he indirectly replied to his son's question.
He anticipated the baby's arrival more than anyone else because it was the embodiment of his and Avery's love.
Cayden lowered his eyes and stroked his cheek with Avery's palm for a long time. He then whispered, “I'm sorry, Ery. I still failed to protect you.”
That day, the hospital was like a battlefield—filled with smoke and a heavy atmosphere.
All the doctors were working frantically, and their hearts beat fast as they fought to keep Avery alive in the ICU.
The man behind the woman was not to be trifled with, and everyone knew that even the slightest mistake could result in dire consequences.
Cayden was notorious for his ruthless and cutthroat business tactics. Even the hospital director had to pacify him personally.
That was why the doctors knew they could not afford to make any mistakes.
If they did, the consequences could be dreadful. Cayden could destroy the hospital in a fit of anger, and their careers would be ruined forever. No one would dare to risk their necks or burn any bridges.
At four in the afternoon, Avery, who had been in a coma, suddenly started bleeding heavily and had to be rushed to the emergency room.
The hospital was overcrowded, so the bodyguards had to quickly cordon up the ICU, operating room, and corridors, creating a private space for Avery to prevent other patients from entering.
Seeing the ashen-faced Avery being wheeled into the operating room, Cayden felt his anxiousness had reached a boiling point. He impulsively pushed open the door with great force and barged into the emergency room.
His action caused the director to shudder. He tried to keep his composure and advised, “Mr. Moore, your wife is in critical condition now. It's best if you wait outside or go to the VIP lounge. Your presence here may affect the rescue operation...”
His words trailed off as he caught sight of Cayden's cold, intimidating demeanor.
Sensing danger, the director braced himself for what was to come.
In a flash, Cayden grabbed him by the collar, hoisting him up as if he was lifting a feather.
He threatened the director with a voice filled with absolute authority. “You are the best doctor in this hospital, so save my wife at all costs. If anything goes south, I will hold the entire hospital responsible! You hear me?”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The CEO Gets What He Wants