Chapter27
1336 Words
CHAPTER 27
Adam barged into the ICU, ignoring the nurses trying to hold him back. He saw Belle on the bed, her face pale, eyes wide with panic as she struggled for breath. Machines blared, a red light flashing, doctors shouting orders.
Emma stood frozen in the hallway, covering her mouth, silent tears streaming down her face. Adam pushed past everyone, grabbing a doctor’s arm. “What’s happening to her?” he barked.
“She’s having trouble breathing, possibly a clot. We need to intubate now!” the doctor yelled, barely sparing Adam a glance.
Adam locked eyes with Belle just as another wave of alarms sounded. She reached for his hand, barely whispering, “Adam…” before her eyes rolled back, the machines beeping even faster.
The doctors swarmed her, blocking Adam’s view. He stood rooted to the spot, fists clenched, feeling helpless. He watched the team work, fighting to save her, shouting instructions, one nurse urging, “Stay with us, Belle!” until finally, the beeping slowed, then steadied, the danger passing as the staff sighed in relief.
Adam exhaled, heart pounding, and finally stepped back, shoulders shaking – he’d never known fear like this. Belle was alive, and that was all that mattered.
About two hours later, Belle blinked awake, rubbing her eyes and squinting at the fluorescent lights. She had been moved from the ICU to a VIP room. Her mouth felt like sandpaper as she tried to speak.
Adam glances up, and their eyes meet – he looks away quickly, grumbling, “You should rest. Don’t make this a bigger drama,” but there’s relief on his face he can’t quite hide.
She croaked, “Did I die and come back to a really expensive freezer?”
Adam barely looked up from his phone, face expressionless. “Relax, you’re not that lucky. Next time, try giving us some notice before you collapse – my schedule is packed.”
Belle groaned and tried to sit up, but Adam just shot her a look. “Don’t even try it. You caused enough problems for one week.”
She gave him a tired smile. “Aw, did you miss me, Hamilton? I bet you even cried.”
Adam snorted, shaking his head. “Me? Cry over you? In your dreams.”
She grinned wider. “So who held your hand? Rufus? Or did you make the nurses sing you to sleep?”
Adam finally met her gaze, eyes softer than he meant to show. “You talk too much for someone who almost gave up on breathing.”
Belle smiled, “thanks for everything.”
“Don't thank me yet, you can do that when you fully recover.”
Emma came inside the ward, sobbing like she's looking at a miracle. “Don't do that againnnn” she cried, rushing to hug Belle. “I was so scared.”
“Sorry I scared you, as you can see I'm all better now.” Belle replied, as she wiped off the tears from Emma's face.”
Emma sat beside her, scanning her face like she wanted to be sure her friend had regained full consciousness.
Adam was just there, not sure if he should excuse the both of them or just join in the sympathising.
“How has work been?” Belle continued.
“Don't you even dare!” Adam suddenly spoke up. “You're taking a break from anything that has to do with work, you don't even get to talk about it – so zip up.”
She tried to glare, but it came out as a weak squint. “I wasn’t going to talk about work,” she lied.
“Yes, you were,” Adam said flatly. “You always are. But you’re not allowed to. Doctor’s orders.”
Belle gave a small huff, which sounded more like a pitiful wheeze. “You’re bossier than Emma,” she muttered.
“Excuse me?” A bright voice chimed in from the other side of the bed. Belle turned her head. “I heard that,” Emma said. “But honestly, he’s worse. At least I don’t look like I’ll murder the entire medical staff if they don’t fluff your pillows exactly right.”
Adam shot her a glare that could have frozen fire. Emma only smiled wider.
Belle would’ve laughed if she’d had the energy. Instead, she whispered, “Why are you both here though, don't you have things to do?”
Emma softened, leaning over to squeeze Belle’s hand. “Because we’re worried about you, dummy. You scared us.”
Adam said nothing, but his hand reached forward to adjust the blanket up over Belle’s shoulders. Belle’s heart did a strange little flip.
“You didn’t have to—” she started, but Adam cut her off.
“I did,” he said simply.
Belle blinked up at him. There was something in his voice that made her stomach twist, though she couldn’t put a name to it.
Emma cleared her throat loudly. “Okay, this is starting to feel like a scene from a romantic drama. I’ll go ask the nurses about your meds and give you two some privacy.”
“Emma,” Belle whispered, embarrassed.
Emma smirked at her, clearly enjoying Belle’s flustered expression. “Don’t die while I’m gone, okay?” she teased, winking before slipping out the door.
Silence settled over the room, broken only by the steady beep of the heart monitor. Belle stared at Adam. He was looking at her like she was something fragile, something precious, and it was unnerving.
“You’ve been here all this time?” she asked softly.
“Where else would I be?” Adam replied.
Belle tried to smile, but her lips trembled. “You don’t have to babysit me, you know. I’ll survive.”
“Not a chance,” Adam said, leaning back in his chair. “You’ll try to go back to work the second you can walk straight. Someone has to keep you in bed.”
She raised a weak eyebrow. “You volunteering for that job sounds… questionable.”
Adam’s lips twitched. “Don’t flatter yourself,” he said dryly, though the corners of his mouth softened.
Belle chuckled faintly, which sent a jolt of pain through her side. Adam immediately leaned forward. “Easy,” he said, his hand hovering near hers like he wanted to touch her but didn’t dare.
She looked at him, really looked, and for the first time noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the creases in his shirt, the exhaustion on his whole body.
“You look terrible,” she murmured.
“Thanks to you I guess.”
She wanted to ask him to go home and take a rest, but exhaustion dragged at her, pulling her down like quicksand. Adam must have sensed it because he reached forward, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
“Sleep,” he said softly.
Belle blinked at him, too tired to argue. “You’ll still be here?”
“Yes.”
Her chest warmed at the certainty in his voice.
As she drifted off, she felt the faintest pressure on her hand – a squeeze so gentle she almost wondered if she’d imagined it.
The next day, Belle woke to the sound of Adam’s voice. He was on the phone, his tone clipped and commanding.
“I don’t care what they said; move the meeting to next week,” he snapped. “No, I’m not available. Handle it yourself or you’re fired.”
Belle blinked at him blearily. “Are you… working from my hospital room?” she croaked.
Adam turned, phone still at his ear. “You’re awake,” he said, as if that explained everything.
“Adam, you can’t run your businesses from a plastic chair,” she said weakly.
“Watch me,” Adam said, ending the call. He stood, straightened his suit jacket, and walked to her bedside. “How do you feel?”
- Writer
