Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After…

Chapter 697 Critical Condition

“The patient’s condition is dire,” the doctor said. “Her kidney was forcibly removed. The surgery she underwent before was too rudimentary, which increases the risk of septic shock.”

He continued, “Without that kidney, her body’s systems might gradually start failing. If it worsens, she could die from multiple organ failure."

“Moreover, she seems to lack the will to live. That could severely impact her treatment and recovery.”

Before being brought to the hospital, Rachel had been barely conscious, unresponsive even when called by name.

The moment they arrived, she was rushed straight into the emergency room.

During the operation, the doctor came out to speak with Chandler. His words carried an unspoken finality. Rachel’s condition was critical, and the odds were not in her favor.

Chandler had spent the entire night by Meryl’s side in her hospital room. At dawn, he’d rushed to the abandoned factory to rescue Rachel. By the time he managed to get her to the hospital, it was already afternoon.

Exhaustion was etched into every line of his face, his bloodshot eyes a testament to his sleepless night.

When it came to the medical intricacies, there was little Chandler could do. All he could do was hope for the doctors.

He looked at the physician before him and said firmly, “No matter what, save her.”

The doctor nodded. “We’ll do everything we can, but she’s lost a massive amount of blood. Her blood has been replaced three times.” He handed Chandler a clipboard. “This is a critical condition notice. We need your signature.”

Chandler’s expression was grim as he signed the document.

After the doctor left, Chandler sat in the hallway, his mind adrift.

He reached for his phone to call Meryl, but his battery had already died.

Too much had happened in a single day. He hadn’t had a moment to rest, and now his head felt as if it might split open from the pounding pain.

In their rush earlier, they had gone to the nearest hospital, which wasn’t the same one where Meryl had delivered the baby.

The two hospitals were over 13 miles apart.

Chandler borrowed a charger and plugged in his phone. He wanted to check on Meryl.

Once it was powered up, he called Meryl, only to hear the automated message informing him that he couldn’t get through.

He froze.

It dawned on him that Meryl might have blocked his number.

Frowning deeply, he realized she was still upset with him.

He understood why she was angry. He just hadn’t expected her to go so far as to block his number, leaving him with no way to explain himself.

Chandler immediately called his assistant, Walter.

The moment Walter saw the incoming call, he answered promptly, “Mr. Aniston, are you finished with everything? Mrs. Aniston doesn’t seem very happy…”

As someone with a girlfriend himself, Walter completely understood why Meryl was upset.

If emotional missteps were rated from one to ten, Chandler had undoubtedly made a ten–level mistake this time.

Chandler’s tone was anxious. “How is Meryl? Is she feeling unwell? How is her mental state? Is everything okay with her?”

Walter replied, “Mrs. Aniston woke up and had a meal. Her appetite seemed fine, and the car accident was just superficial injuries. Nothing serious.”

“Give her the phone. I need to talk to her,” Chandler said.

Walter hesitated, looking awkward. “Mr. Aniston… Mrs. Aniston isn’t in her room.”

Chandler’s frown deepened. His voice grew sharper. “She just gave birth! Why isn’t she resting in her room? Where did she go? Weren’t you supposed to keep an eye on her?”

“Mrs. Aniston went to visit Mr. Powell. They say he’s seriously injured and hasn’t woken up. She’s very worried,” Walter explained.

Chandler froze. He hadn’t expected Meryl to be with Felix.

His expression darkened as an uncomfortable feeling crept over him. “How long has she been gone?”

“It’s been a while, almost an hour now,” Walter said, checking the time. “Actually, this is her second time visiting Mr. Powell’s room today.”

Chandler’s expression turned stormy.

He thought, “Meryl has just given birth, yet she is running back and forth to see Felix.

Yes, Felix has saved her, but does she need to check on him twice in one day?

Is she really that concerned about him?”

The thought left Chandler feeling inexplicably irritated.

Walter added cautiously, “Oh, and Mrs. Aniston also asked me if Rocky’s death had anything to do with you. I didn’t tell her anything. I was worried the truth might affect how she sees you.”

Chandler had always prided himself on his integrity, his reputation untainted since his days at the police academy.

But for Meryl, he’d made an exception. He’d ensured Rocky’s death behind bars.

It was a matter of life and death, and Walter dared not speak out of turn. He feared scaring Meryl or tarnishing Chandler’s image in her eyes.

Chandler didn’t fault him for it. He’d never intended for Meryl to know he had taken matters into his own hands.

Rocky had gone too far in trying to harm her, and Chandler had reached his breaking point.

That decision had been his responsibility as her husband.

“Mr. Aniston, are you finished with everything? When will you be back?” Walter asked.

Chandler sighed, “Rachel had one of her kidneys removed.”

Walter went silent, stunned. He hadn’t expected such cruelty.

“She’s still in surgery,” Chandler continued. “The doctors said her condition is critical. They just issued a critical condition notice.”

As Rachel’s sole legal guardian, Chandler had no choice but to stay and wait.

The doctors warned him that anything could happen before the surgery was over.

He simply couldn’t leave.

They had told him that Rachel’s abdominal cavity was filled with blood.

The people who removed her kidney had done such a sloppy job that it left her teetering on the brink. Specialists from across the hospital had been called into the operating room, trying to save her.

Chandler couldn’t shake the image of Rachel’s ashen face when she was wheeled into surgery.

It was the color of death.

The thought weighed heavily on him, his face growing more somber by the second.

Walter understood Chandler’s dilemma. He knew Chandler wouldn’t stay unless it were absolutely necessary.

“Got it. I’ll try to explain things to Mrs. Aniston for you,” Walter said.

Just as their call ended, the operating room doors swung open. A nurse ran out, shouting, “The blood supply is running low! We need a transfusion immediately!”

Chandler rolled up his sleeve without hesitation. “My blood type matches hers. Take mine.”

With that, he followed the nurse into the operating room.

As Chandler hung up the phone, the elevator doors opened on Walter’s side, and Meryl slowly walked out.

Walter, still holding the phone, hurried over to her. “Mrs. Aniston, Mr. Aniston just called. He…”

Walter stopped mid–sentence as he realized the call had already been disconnected. He stood there, momentarily at a loss.

Meryl walked past him without a word, her expression cold and unreadable.

She carried her acupuncture kit in one hand, returning to her room. Once inside, she lay back down, looking utterly drained.

Walter watched her retreating figure and sighed. It was clear she was furious with Chandler and didn’t even want to talk to him.

Walter wanted to explain things to Meryl.

He knocked softly on her door and said in a low voice, “Mrs. Aniston, Mr. Aniston wanted me to tell you that Ms. Morgan’s condition is critical. She was forcibly deprived of one of her kidneys and is in surgery now.”