Chapter 7 Devastating News

The wait was killing. The good Samaritan who had brought Blake in was gone. He had given me Blake's phone and left. I had urged Ellen to apologize to him but she had stubbornly refused to. I had done so on her behalf and he seemed to have understood. So it was just us, waiting with bated breath and knotted nerves. Where was the doctor?! The wait was usually the worst. I saw a middle aged man approach us. I knew at once it was the doctor. I stood even before he got to where we were. "Good day, doctor." I greeted anxiously. Those nerves were knotting the life out of me. Despite the well ventilated situation of the waiting area, sweat born from nerves and apprehension cascades down my back. "You are?" He asked. There was much professionalism rolling off of him in waves. "His wife. Riana Bertram." I did it again and showed him my ring. Was it because our marriage was one void of love but in paper only? Was that why I felt the need to use the ring as backup to prove my claim? "His sister. Ellen Bertram." Ellen introduced. She was suddenly looking so calm and composed. Calm and composed Ellen was better than crazy, emotion-ridden Ellen. "Good. Mr. Bertram has been moved to a room in this VIP ward." He informed. "How is he?" That was the important information I needed to know right now. "He's been stabilized. The bleeding kept in check but he's still unconscious." I bit my lip nervously. "Will he ever wake up?" The doctor's eyes harbored both empathy and quiet amusement. "Yes, he will Mrs. Bertram. You can go see him but it will be a brief meeting. He needs all the rest he can get." "Oh thank you. Thank you so much." I gushed with relief. This was good news at least. Blake was going to be fine. He was alive, stable though still unconscious which was not a big problem because the doctor said he would be fine. "Right this way, Mrs. and Miss Bertram." He led us through an hallway. Then a stairs. This was a very exclusive hospital from the look of it. Everything here radiated wealth. I bet only the rich could afford it. I followed him until we got to the room where he was admitted into. Oh. I felt pity tug my heart instantly. I could not believe this was the Blake I had married. The man I had met in a thrift store, looking so powerful and strong. Lying down on that bed, he looked quite weak and his expression was one in pain, even unconscious. Was it possible for unconscious people to express pain? Did that mean he was aware of everything but only could not speak? My legs were suddenly heavy but I propelled them to move forward. He was not a ghost neither was he a monster. It was at this point that I knew he needed me. He needed me to take care of him and help him heal. "Look at my brother, Riana? Look at how...I don't know the words to use." She said quietly beside me. "I know. But he needs us now more than ever. When he wakes up, he'll be counting on us to help him get through this." My voice was barely above a whisper. The doctor said he needed his rest. He did not need noise and loud talks. "I'm still suspecting that guy. I don't trust him one bit." Ellen was still angry, it showed on her face. "Hey, stop it. We're here for Blake. Even if he was responsible, which I don't think it's true, I'm sure it was a mistake else he would not have taken this time to call us and even waited until we got here." I knew she was upset, I was too. But it was not going to help me or him or Ellen. Now that I knew he was fine, just unconscious, the rest would be okay. And once he was fine again, everything would fall back in place. Well, not everything exactly. My life was one again ruined. Life was hellbent on making me remain on the ground. Any hope of getting back on my feet, it would just thrown me back down. I wondered if he was going to be mad at me. If he was going to blame me for the destruction of the shop. I moved closer to his bed and touched his arm. Lying down with these tubes connected to him, he was harmless. The world saw him a playboy and that he was, I knew that. But it did not really bother me as love was not part of the bargain. But aside his womanizing life, he was nice and supportive. And it was time for me to be supportive. It was only normal to be. The door opened to reveal the doctor. "Visit time is over, ladies. He needs his rest now." "Okay doctor, we'll be right behind." I told him. He nodded and closed the door quietly beside him. Ellen was standing close but not as close as I was. She had on a scowl, no doubt she still wanted to kill the good Samaritan who had helped bring Blake here. I ignored her, sweeping my gaze back to Blake. "You'll be fine, Blake. Just..." My gaze swept over the tubes and IV and oxygen mask. "...wake up strong and better, okay?" My tone was soothing and soft. I gave his still hand a gentle squeeze and walked past Ellen to the door. "Let's go, Ellen. You heard the doctor, he needs his rest." I noticed her gaze roam over his frame one more time before walking out of the room with me. We met the doctor on our way downstairs. "Mrs. Bertram?" The doctor stopped before us. "Yes doctor. Is there something else?" I had to ask because the stare on the doctor's face was unnerving. "His legs were greatly affected by the accident." He stated, his expression somber. "What do you mean?" I gave Ellen a furrowed glance, then fixed my gaze on the doctor again. "I'm not sure, we don't want to conclude yet but I want you to be prepared for anything." "Fucking be out with it doctor!" Ellen raised her voice, impatience rang clear. Anger too. "Mr. Bertram might not walk again."