Seeing Everett still hesitant, Dorothy did something she rarely did; she grabbed his arm and gently
shook it, her voice laced with a playful whine, âI wonât leave your sight, and is that not enough? How
can I not be there for Karen in such a critical time?â
If Dorothy were in perfect health, Everett would have no qualms about letting her go!
But now, with Dorothyâs unpredictable fainting spells...
âYou really have to go?â
âYes! I must.â
Everett let out a soft sigh, knowing he would eventually give in to her, âAlright, but you have to listen
to me at the hospital. If you feel unwell, you must tell me immediately, no hiding.â
Dorothy nodded quickly, âI will!â
â¦
The hospital was the last place Dorothy wanted to be. She was nearly developing a reflexive
aversion to the pervasive smell of disinfectant.
Following Everett to the maternity ward, they found Jeffrey, who was visibly anxious and pacing
back and forth.
âWhy are you guys coming here?â Jeffrey wasnât surprised to see Everett, but Dorothyâs presence
surprised him.
âHow could I not come with Karen in this condition?â Dorothyâs gaze shifted towards the closed
doors of the operating room, âDid the doctors say anything else? Is she... going to have the baby
ahead of the time today?â
âThe doctor told me to prepare myself. If they canât control her bleeding or if thereâs any issue with
the babyâs heartbeat, theyâll have to perform a cesarean section immediately.â
Just the thought of Karen alone in the ICU made Jeffreyâs heart clench. He couldnât shake the
image of her pale, pained face from his mind. He had never seen Karen in such agony before!
Everett walked over and clapped him on the shoulder, âItâll be okay. Iâve already called in the best
OB-GYNs in Eldorria City to come here.â
Jeffrey looked up at Everett and nodded, âThanks, man.â
âNo need to thank me.â
Jeffrey let out a sigh, âYou know, after seeing Abigail and Langston, I thought how great and joyful it
would be to have a child of our own. So I insisted Karen get pregnant, never thinking about the
risks. But seeing her like that today, I swear, this will be the only child Iâll put her through. As soon as
mother and daughter are safe, Iâm getting a vasectomy.â
Standing outside the ICU, the tough man felt tears threatening to spill. He knew childbirth was a
critical ordeal for women, but facing it firsthand showed him just how powerless he was. He could
do nothing but let Karen face it all alone!
Everett pressed his lips together, saying nothing. His gaze shifted to Dorothy, who was peering
anxiously through the door.
He couldnât imagine how this frail woman was once gathering evidence and working at the same
time with two babies in her belly. Karen, with all the care and attention from Jeffrey, was struggling
so much. The thought of Dorothy enduring even half of that.
Everett didnât dare to continue that thought.
Dorothy was oblivious to their conversation, her mind entirely on the room behind the door.
Just as she was contemplating whether to knock and ask if she could accompany Karen, she felt a
pull on her hand.
Dorothy looked up and met Everettâs intense gaze.
âWhatâs wrong?â she asked.
âNothing, I just really wanted to hold your hand.â
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