The Stranger In Me

Chapter 11: The Fear Of Losing Her

Sir Kelvin's Point of View

•••

The words struck Alberto Kelvin like a bullet.

She's bleeding again.

For one terrifying second, his body refused to move.The hospital hallway blurred around him.

Dr. Rafael reacted first.

"What happened?" he demanded sharply while already rushing toward the room.

"The patient suddenly complained of severe headaches and collapsed emotionally," the nurse explained hurriedly.

Kelvin's heartbeat thundered violently against his chest.Without realizing it,he followed them fast.

The closer he got to the room, the louder Mia's frightened crying became.

The sound pierced straight through him.When Kelvin stepped inside,everything froze.

Marie sat weakly against the hospital bed while blood trickled faintly from her nose onto the white sheets. Her trembling fingers pressed against her temple as though trying to stop her skull from splitting apart.

Mia clung tightly to her arm, crying helplessly.

Nanny Ann looked pale with fear.

"Marie, look at me," Dr. Rafael instructed calmly while examining her pupils.

"She keeps holding her head," Nanny Ann explained shakily.

Marie whimpered softly.

"My head..." she whispered painfully. "It hurts..."

Then suddenly,her blurry eyes landed on Kelvin standing near the door and immediately,relief flooded her face.

"There you are..." she breathed weakly.

Kelvin stiffened.

Marie stretched her trembling hand toward him unconsciously.

"Please..." her voice cracked softly. "Make it stop hurting..."

The room fell silent,even the doctor looked toward him expectantly.

Kelvin's throat tightened.For some reason, seeing her so fragile unsettled him deeply.

This wasn't the stubborn girl who challenged him with sarcastic replies inside the mansion,this was someone terrified,someone hurting,someone reaching for him and somehow,he couldn't ignore it.

Slowly, against his own pride, Kelvin walked closer to the bed.Mia immediately moved aside for him.

Marie grabbed his wrist weakly the moment he got close enough,then contact burned strangely.

"Please don't leave me," she whispered faintly.

Something painful twisted violently inside his chest.

Dr. Rafael exchanged a quick glance with Nanny Ann before speaking quietly.

"Keep her calm."

Kelvin looked irritated instantly.

"I'm not-"

"Please," the doctor interrupted firmly. "Right now, stress is worsening her condition."

Kelvin clenched his jaw."This was ridiculous,completely ridiculous".

Yet,Marie's trembling fingers tightened around his hand like she was afraid he'd disappear and before he could stop himself,he sat beside her.

Instantly, her breathing eased slightly.The doctor noticed immediately.

"Soften your voice when speaking to her," he instructed.

Kelvin looked like he wanted to protest again,but then Mia suddenly raised her notepad toward him.

"Don't make Mum cry again."The words hit him harder than expected.

Kelvin stared at the childish handwriting for several seconds.Then slowly, looked toward Marie.

Her exhausted eyes were already closing weakly from the medication entering her IV drip.Yet even half-conscious,she still hadn't released his hand.

Dr. Rafael sighed quietly in relief.

"That's better."

Kelvin hated how trapped he suddenly felt.

•••

Marie's Point of View

•••

Everything hurt.Her head,her chest,even breathing felt painful,but amidst the confusion and pain, one thing comforted her strangely.

Warmth.A familiar warmth beside her.Marie slowly forced her eyes open again.The pain had lessened slightly now and there,sitting beside her was him.Her husband.

At least... that's what her heart stubbornly believed.Even though his words earlier had pierced painfully.

She watched him quietly.His sharp jaw,the tiredness hidden beneath his cold eyes,the faint crease between his brows.

He looked angry even while sitting silently,but somehow...Safe.

"You stayed..." she whispered weakly.

Kelvin immediately looked away.

"You nearly worsened your condition," he muttered coldly.

Marie blinked slowly.

"You were worried."

"I wasn't."

A faint smile almost appeared on her lips despite her weakness.

"You're a terrible liar."

Kelvin shot her a warning glare instantly.

Marie flinched slightly.

The reaction stabbed unexpectedly at his conscience.

The bruise on her cheek remained faintly visible beneath the hospital light.

His doing.Again,guilt crawled viciously beneath his skin.

Meanwhile Mia happily climbed onto the hospital bed beside Marie and hugged her carefully.

Marie kissed her forehead gently.

"My brave girl..."

Mia smiled brightly before scribbling something quickly on her notepad.

She held it up excitedly.

"Daddy stayed because he loves you."

The atmosphere shifted immediately.Kelvin nearly choked.

"What nonsense-"

Marie looked toward him softly and for one dangerous second,their eyes locked.

Something unfamiliar flickered between them.Raw,fragile,terrifying.

Kelvin stood abruptly.

"That's enough," he muttered stiffly.

Mia frowned immediately,t before anyone could speak,David suddenly entered the room.

The moment his eyes landed on his father sitting beside Marie's bed,shock crossed his face.

Then suspicion.

"What's going on here?" he asked slowly.

Nobody answered immediately and somehow,that silence said far too much.