Chapter 434
Samuel paced the hospital corridor like a caged animal.
As the door opened, he rushed in. "How is she?"
The doctor, nearly knocked over by Samuel's urgency, steadied himself. "Miss Adkins had a scare, but she's stable now."
Layla lay on the bed, pale and lifeless, like a wilted plant. Her face showed the torment she'd been through.
Samuel felt a crushing guilt. It was all because of their argument.
"Miss Adkins has been emotionally unstable for a while. She was hospitalized before due to emotional distress. I remember advising you to be particularly careful; she can't handle another shock."
Samuel recalled the aftermath of Owen's death. Layla had been devastated, crying incessantly, burdened with self-blame even in her sleep. Just as she had begun to heal, his lack of control had landed her back in the hospital. He felt deserving of punishment.
"When shewakes up, it's best for her to stay in the hospital for a few more days. No rush to discharge."
The doctor left.
Samuel stayed by her side all night.
Morning came.
"Water... water..."
Samuel woke to Layla's hoarse voice. She was reaching for the water cup on the bedside table.
"I got it!" Samuel helped her sit up and brought the cup to her lips.
Layla tried to drink but was too weak, moving slowly.
"Take it easy, it's okay."
She sipped half a cup and then lay back down, feeling like her body weighed a ton.
Despite her weakness, she worried about the baby. "Is the baby okay?"
"It's fine, don't worry."
Hearing this, Layla finally relaxed and closed her eyes.
"Are you still feeling unwell? Should I call the doctor?"
"Are you hungry?"
She didn't answer.
She must be exhausted.
"Then rest a bit more." Samuel tiptoed to the bathroom to freshen up, found a nurse to watch over her, and went downstairs to get some soup.
When he returned, she was still lying there. He knew she wasn't asleep, just keeping her eyes closed, but he didn't dare disturb her. Around noon, he gently asked, "How about some soup before you sleep again?"
Layla didn't respond.
"The doctor said you need to replenish your nutrition now, and so does the baby."
Layla's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Weren't you the one shouting that we should die together?"
"I was being impulsive."
"Your impulsiveness led to reckless driving and harsh words. You never thought of me or the baby. Don't fake concern now."
"You two are more important to me than my own life. I was just too jealous, and it turned me into a monster."
"I don't want to hear your voice. Leave."
"At least drink the soup. You can't neglect your health."
"Leave..."
Samuel was silent for a moment. "I can leave, but will you drink the soup? I'll have the nurse feed you."
He looked back a couple of times before finally turning to leave.
Soon, the nurse came in.
Only then did Layla let the nurse help her sit up and sip the soup.
She couldn't let the baby suffer from hunger along with her.
"Miss Adkins, did you have disagreementwith your boyfriend?" the young nurse asked, curious. "If my boyfriend were that handsome, I wouldn't want to argue with him."
"Your boyfriend really cares about you. He kept reminding me to be careful, to go slow, afraid you'd get burned or choke. So considerate. Handsome and caring, I'm so jealous of you."
Layla felt conflicted.
Sure, Samuel treated her like a queen, showering her with affection. As coin has two sides: the more he loved her, the stronger his possessiveness became. Just having a man around her would drive him crazy. And with his immense power, taking someone's life was effortless for him.
The thought of this endless cycle repeating in the future exhausted Layla.
The soup in her mouth tasted even more bitter, and she forced herself to drink it but couldn't.
"I can't drink anymore."
"You've only had half. Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry, I was being nosy. Please drink a bit more."
"I really can't."
"Well, okay then." The nurse put down the thermos and hesitantly advised, "It's rare for couples not to argue, but you're still sick. Your emotions are especially important right now. If you keep being angry, you won't be able to leave the hospital. Please, don't be angry. Your health is what matters."
In the afternoon, Samuel didn't show up.
In the evening, an older nurse brought dinner without saying a word.
After lying down for a whole day and night, Layla's back ached. As she tried to move in bed, Samuel rushed in, "Don't move."
She knew he had been watching from the doorway the whole time.
Layla coldly said, "I don't have any wounds."
Samuel knew that, but he was so worried about her that even the slightest movement made him extremely anxious.
"Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to leave?"
"I can't stop worrying."
"There are doctors and nurses here. What are you worried about? Seeing you just makes me angrier," Layla's voice was cold, with a hint of resentment.
"Please, don't be angry anymore, okay?"
"I've told you countless times not to get mad. Did you listen? Did you stay calm? So why should I listen to you now when you're giving advice? If I hadn't ended up in the hospital from stomach pain, you wouldn't see how unreasonable you are. You could have hurt someone else by now."
Samuel felt guilty and couldn't argue.
Recently, he had been a jealous madman, irrational and sharp-tongued.
"Layla..."
"No need to explain. I'm tired, I don't want to hear it," Layla interrupted Samuel, "Just go out and let me rest."
Her cold words were like a wall, keeping Samuel out. All his words, whether to comfort or apologize, had to be swallowed back.
"Okay, then rest well and don't get angry because of me."
Samuel left the ward.
"Boss." James arrived with a few sets of clothes. "Is Miss Adkins okay?"
Samuel nodded.
Seeing the situation, James realized the boss had been kicked out. He hadn't expected it to escalate to the point of hospitalization.
But he had anticipated this outcome. Now that Miss Adkins was in the hospital, given her temper, the boss was probably in for more than just being scolded this time.
For now, James tried to comfort him, "Miss Adkins is still angry. She'll be fine once she calms down."
Samuel wasn't so optimistic. He began to reflect on himself, mumbling, "Have I really gone too far?"