Everett was absolutely wiped out when he finally drifted off to sleep.
After enduring a grueling series of flights, including layovers, then rushing straight to Dorothy only to get hurt for a couple of emergency surgeries that left him bleeding profusely, anyone's body would have reached its limit.
By the tJeffrey and Dorothy arrived at the hospital, he hadn't yet woken up.
Jonathan had to leave, his wife had cdown with the flu badly, leaving Quincy behind to look after Everett.
"When's he gonna wake up?" Jeffrey needed to be absolutely sure Everett was just sleeping, not passed out, before he could ease his worry.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"No telling, really. He'll wake up when he's had enough rest," Quincy replied. She wasn’t in her usual scrubs since this wasn't her hospital, but in a simple white tee and jeans, looking fresh-faced like she just graduated from college.
Dorothy, noticing Jeffrey's furrowed brow, gently suggested, "Why don't you head back? You've been out long enough, and Karen might start worrying." "That's exactly what I'm worried about! But with Everett here..." "I'll stay until he wakes up." Jeffrey looked at her, paused for a few seconds, then nodded. "Alright, I'll head back then. I'll sort things out with Karen and cback. Callif anything happens!" "Will do." As he hurried out of the hospital, Dorothy turned her attention back to Quincy.
"Dr. Quincy, you have something to say." It wasn't a question.
"How'd you know?" Quincy was genuinely surprised.
"If it wasn't important, you wouldn't still be standing here." Even after Jeffrey had left, she hadn't moved an inch.
"What is it? Is it about Everett?" Dorothy prodded.
"Yeah." Quincy hesitated before speaking, "I just wanted to ask, is this situation really what you wanted?" Dorothy didn’t answer.
"Causing such a scene, nearly turning Mr. Lopez into a cripple, almost getting him killed... How are your actions any different from what Heather did?" Quincy's gaze was firm, her tone calm, not accusatory, "Back in Swevia Country, | really thought you loved Mr.
Lopez. | thought you two were in love, but now... | feel like you don't love him at all. You just love yourself." Even with the alcohol in her system, Dorothy couldn't find the words to argue.
"lI don't want to know the details, and I'm not interested. But looking at the whole situation, as an outsider, | genuinely believe Mr.
Lopez has done too much for you. So much that it's not worth it." "Yes, I'm not worth it." "I'm not saying this to scold you, and | certainly don't have the right or position to do so. | just hope you'll think it over. Don't wait until Mr. Lopez is taken by someone else and then regret it. By then, no one would be willing to give him back to you." Whoever finds a treasure never returns it.
After saying her piece, Quincy walked away.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmDorothy stood there for a long tbefore finally pushing open the door to the hospital room.
Everett was still asleep on the bed, the room dimly lit to keep it soothing. Dorothy approached cautiously, not wanting to disturb him.
His breathing was steady, his torso bare, showing bandages stained with hints of medicine and blood.
Despite her efforts to be silent, he still slowly opened his eyes as she drew closer.
"Dorothy." Everett's voice was raspy, parched.
Dorothy froze.
"Yeah, how did you... know it was me?" He attempted a smile and said, "I just dreamed you were here. Am | still dreaming?"