The doctor had barely stepped out when he was suddenly met with an anxious Jeffrey.
âI am! I am her husband! Howâs Karen doing?â
The doctor glanced at him. âThe patient is stable for now, and the bleeding has stopped.â
Dorothy chimed in with urgency, âAnd the baby?â
âThe baby is safe for the moment, but⦠it's going to need her cooperation. She should stay in bed
until the birth, keep up with regular check-ups, and maintain a happy disposition. No more
emotional roller coasters.â
Hearing the baby was safe brought a wave of relief over Dorothy.
Jeffreyâs mind was fixated on Karen as he pressed on, âWhere is she? When can she come out?â
âSheâll be wheeled out shortly, donât worry.â
With that, the doctor returned to the emergency room.
Jeffrey stood rooted to the spot, eyes peeled for the moment Karen would emerge.
Behind him, Dorothy let out a sigh. Everett gently squeezed her hand.
âThe doctor said itâs all right.â
âYeah.â
âYou havenât eaten anything since you woke up. I'll get someone to bring over some food,â Everett
said, still mindful of her stomach issues.
Dorothy shook her head. âI canât eat anything right now. Iâll wait until I see Karen.â
âNo way. I donât want you getting sick before Karen comes out.â Everett was adamant.
âIf you donât feel like eating, at least drink some milk.â
âOkay then.â Dorothy didnât dare refuse again.
After a while, Karen was finally wheeled out of the emergency room.
Jeffrey hurried over and took her hand. âKaren, Iâm so sorry...â
But clearly, Karen wasnât in the mood to talk, silently pulling her hand back. Her hand still sported an
IV needle; Jeffrey didnât dare force it and simply let her be.
âKaren, how are you feeling?â Dorothy followed the gurney into the room before asking the first
question.
âIâm okay.â Karenâs lips were pale, and she looked weak. âIâm sorry youâre worried.â
âWhat are you talking about?â Dorothy replied, then glanced over at Jeffrey, who stood there looking
lost, âKaren, you rest up now. The doctor said you need to focus on keeping the baby safe. You
canât afford any more ups and downs. You need to keep yourself in check, okay?â
Karen nodded. âMhm, can you guys ask Jeffrey to leave? I donât want to see him.â
âIâm not leaving, Karen. I'll stay right here with you!â At her words, Jeffrey rushed to the bedside.
âYou can yell at me, hit me; I wonât say another word!â
But Karen just pulled the blanket over her face. âDorothy, make him leave.â
âIâm not going!â
Dorothy felt helpless and turned to Everett with a pleading look.
He stepped forward and took hold of Jeffreyâs wrist. âJeffrey, come with me for a moment.â
âBut...â
âArenât you listening to me either?â
After Everett spoke, Jeffrey reluctantly bowed his head and followed him out of the room.
With the door closed, Dorothy spoke softly, âOkay, you can stop hiding now. The airâs not good
under there, and heâs gone.â
Karen finally emerged from under the blanket upon hearing that.
âDorothy... with his temper, his impulse, and his resorting to violence... sometimes I really feel like I
canât spend my life with him.â
âJeffrey just cares about you too much; he canât stand the thought of any other man being involved
with you.â
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