Chapter 693 I Won’t Forgive You

Seeing Rachel’s cracked lips, Chandler quickly took out a bottle of water. He poured a bit and dabbed it gently on her lips to moisten them. Then, he used a wet tissue to wipe the blood from her forehead.

Last night, Rachel had begged Daniel endlessly, pleading for her life. Blood had trickled from her forehead into her eyes, leaving a streak that made her look utterly defeated and blurring her line of sight.

“I think I’m not going to make it,” Rachel murmured, her voice trembling with pain. Her body ached unbearably, and a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. “Chandler, I’m sorry for being such a burden to you all these years.”

Chandler’s expression softened as a hint of sympathy flashed through his eyes. “Don’t talk like that. You’re still young. You’ll be fine.”

He had grown up with Rachel, and seeing her in this state tore at him.

Rachel seemed like she wanted to say more, but exhaustion overwhelmed her. She shut her eyes, longing for even a moment’s rest.

Chandler frowned, unwilling to let her drift away. He nudged her, trying to keep her awake. “Rachel, listen to me. Meryl gave birth last night. She’s in the hospital now. I’m a father.”

Chandler began chatting with Rachel, hoping the news would grab her attention and keep her conscious. “But before the baby was born, Meryl was in a car accident. The child came early and is in an incubator now,” he added.

Rachel’s eyes fluttered open again as she processed his words. She thought to herself, “Meryl had a car accident? So Chandler left her to rescue me?”

Chandler’s voice faltered for a moment before he continued, “Do you think Meryl will be disappointed in me when she wakes up and finds I wasn’t there for her? But I couldn’t just leave you. I’m responsible for you. When I heard you were in danger, I couldn’t turn my back on you.”

Chandler’s bloodshot eyes betrayed his exhaustion. He hadn’t slept since the night before, and the strain showed in every line on his face.

“I owe your brother my life. That’s why I’ve taken care of you all these years. Rachel, I’ve always seen you as a little sister. Can you stop being so reckless from now on?” Chandler said earnestly.

Rachel stared at him, her gaze unwavering as his words sunk in. She thought bitterly, “Reckless? Yes, if I hadn’t been reckless, I wouldn’t have been kidnapped and had a kidney taken.”

Conflicted, Rachel couldn’t help but reflect. She had clung to Chandler, hoping he would notice her. Chandler was the only connection she had left in this world. She needed constant validation from him, a reminder that she mattered to someone. She feared being forgotten and longed to be cared for. That crushing sense of abandonment had once driven her to desperation.

But now, as Chandler risked everything to save her, Rachel realized that even if she stopped acting out, Chandler would never leave her to fend for herself. For the first time, she saw how wrong she had been. She thought of Meryl and realized she owed her an apology.

As her thoughts spiraled, Rachel’s eyes began to close again. Her exhaustion was too much to bear. After a long, harrowing night, all she wanted was to rest.

“Rachel,” Chandler called her name firmly and lightly patted her cheek. “Don’t fall asleep. If Meryl misunderstands me, I’ll need you to explain everything to her.”

His voice grew heavy. “If you dare to die, I’ll never forgive you!”

XXXXX

Hours later, Meryl slowly opened her eyes in the hospital room. Her sleep had been deep, the kind where time slipped away entirely. Her body felt as though it hadn’t rested in days. Her back ached, probably a side effect from the car accident.

She recalled being rushed to the hospital last night and going into surgery. She had been conscious when they wheeled her in. She remembered lying on the operating table as the anesthetic was administered. Darkness had consumed her after that.

Glancing down, Meryl noticed her stomach was now flat. She realized that the baby must have been born.

Instinctively, she turned her head, searching for her child. But the crib beside her was empty. Her heart sank.

She thought, “Did something happen to the baby because of the accident?”

Just then, a middle-aged woman with a kind face approached her. “You’re awake, Mrs. Aniston. How are you feeling?” the woman asked gently.

The woman introduced herself as Griselda Cortez, a caregiver Chandler had arranged to look after Meryl before he left. She looked to be in her forties. Meryl had just given birth and needed someone to take care of her.

Meryl looked at the unfamiliar face, her eyes filled with confusion.

“Mr. Aniston asked me to take care of you. You’ve had a baby boy,” Griselda said with a smile. “But he was born prematurely and is in the incubator for now.”

It was normal for premature babies to be placed in an incubator. If there was no news after they were placed in the neonatal ward, that meant no bad news.

Hearing this, Meryl felt strangely calm. Perhaps the past night’s events had drained her of emotion.

But as her gaze swept across the room, she noticed that Chandler wasn’t there. Her expression darkened. “Where is he?”

“Mr. Aniston had something urgent to attend to. He’s not here,” Griselda replied.

Meryl’s heart tightened. She couldn’t understand what could be more important than her giving birth. But deep down, she knew it had to be about Rachel.

For the past few days, Chandler had been searching for Rachel.

Lowering her eyes, Meryl felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment. She didn’t feel it was something a good husband would do. Her husband wasn’t there when she needed him most, neither during the accident nor after the birth.

Meryl felt deeply disappointed in Chandler. Tears welled up in her eyes. For the first time, Meryl questioned her place in Chandler’s heart.

She thought, “Rachel’s disappearance is serious, but surely it doesn’t require Chandler to handle it personally. Why couldn’t he spend more time with me? Last night was terrifying, and if it weren’t for Felix…”

Suddenly, Felix’s name flashed in her mind. “Where’s Felix? How is he?” Meryl asked urgently.

Griselda looked puzzled. “Felix? Who’s that?”

Meryl’s face grew tense.

Felix had been gravely injured, and by the time they arrived at the hospital, he had already been unconscious from internal bleeding.

Knowing how severe his condition was, Meryl couldn’t stay still. She had to see him for herself. “Help me get up!” she demanded.

If Felix had died trying to save her, she would never have found peace.

Seeing Meryl trying to get up, Griselda quickly came over to assist. “Your wound must still hurt. Mrs. Aniston, you’ve just given birth. You should rest.”

But Meryl wasn’t listening. “Get me a wheelchair!” she insisted.

The incision from her surgery made every movement excruciating. Walking was out of the question.

Griselda fetched a wheelchair, helping Meryl into it with great care.

As soon as Meryl exited her room, she ran into Walter, who had been waiting outside. This was the maternity ward, and Walter, being a man, shouldn’t have come in, so he had been waiting outside.

“Mrs. Aniston, where are you going?” Walter asked, his tone laced with shock. He was surprised to see Meryl in the wheelchair, looking like she was about to leave. He knew that women needed to rest after giving birth. The sight of Meryl in a wheelchair made him uneasy.

“I’m going to see Felix. Which room is he in?” Meryl demanded, her voice unwavering.