Chapter 478 Hospitalized
I tried my best to control my tears. After that, I got someone to arrange for a car to send my parents back.
My mom started to panic when she saw the security guards getting the car ready for them. “We are not leaving. Anna, we won’t leave until you agree to help Steven.”
“Mom, how many times do I have to tell you? There’s nothing I can do about this issue. Even if you continue to stay here, it won’t change a thing. Stop forcing me, will you?”
I was beginning to get annoyed. It was apparent that they were trying to force me to do what they wanted.
“Anna, if anything happens to Steven, your mom and I…”
Before my dad could finish what he was saying, he collapsed.
I was in shock and quickly supported my dad. His face was so pale that he looked frightening.
I was so freaked out that I quickly phoned Michael. Just then, the chauffeur drove to the gate.
Without any further delay, I told the chauffeur to send us to the hospital immediately.
When I was speaking to Michael, my voice was quavering. My dad had heart problems, and I did not think he was able to accept my rejection.
Michael had no wish to see me, but when he heard that my dad had collapsed, he was equally worried. He knew how important my family was to me.
Upon arriving at the hospital, my dad was taken to the emergency room. While waiting outside the door, I was really worried that the doctor would give me bad news.
Michael came up to me and pulled me into his arms. He consoled me in a soft voice, “Don’t worry. Nothing untoward will happen. Believe me.”
Michael’s voice seemed to have a calming effect on me. My mom was badly affected by what had happened, and she was praying fervently for her husband.
The door of the operating theatre finally opened after a long time. Both my mom and I rushed up and inquired, “Doctor, how is he?”
The doctor removed his mask, sighed, and said, “The patient had a heart attack because he was getting too emotional. You know that he suffers from heart disease. How can you allow him to be upset?”
The doctor seemed to be blaming us for my dad’s condition.
“Is my dad out of danger yet?”
The reprimand from the doctor did not bother me at all. Right now, my dad’s health was of utmost concern.
The doctor advised, “At the moment, he’s fine. But, he is still unconscious. Once he wakes up, please don’t agitate him any further. Do you understand?”
The doctor cast an accusatory glance at me.
“I understand, Doctor. Thank you.”
I knew the doctor meant well, so I did not take his accusation to heart. The most important thing right now was to make sure my dad got well.
Very soon, my dad was transferred to the regular ward. He was still unconscious. Looking at his haggard face, an inexplicable feeling came over me.
I was partly responsible for his current condition, and I felt guilty about it.
I came to the corridor and took a deep breath to suppress the urge to cry. I knew that it would be best not to get involved, but I was worried that his condition might worsen if I refused to help them out.
I did not know when Michael showed up behind me. He put his arms around me, and for some strange reason, I felt like crying.
“Don’t be upset. Didn’t the doctor say he will be fine?”
“Michael, do you think that I’m very selfish? My dad is in this condition because of me. If I didn’t turn him down, he wouldn’t have ended up in the hospital.”
I could no longer control my tears. I turned around and hugged Michael tightly.
“There’s no such thing. You didn’t do anything wrong. Stop blaming yourself. They forced you to do this.”
Michael tightened his hug around me. He sounded a little angry. I supposed it was because I was about to give in to my parents again.
I looked at him with brimming eyes and said, “But I really feel bad seeing that my family has turned out this way. Michael, is there no other way? Can you not forgive Steven this one time?”
I looked at Michael anxiously and hoped that there was something he could do to resolve the situation.
“Anna! It makes me really angry to see you being so soft-hearted!”
At that moment, Michael must be thoroughly disappointed and furious with me. I knew better than to give in. Yet, I could not help myself.
“I know. I won’t say anymore.”
I lowered my head. I already knew how Michael felt about the whole debacle. However, it still grieved me to hear him say it out loud.
Sigh…
Michael let out a helpless sigh and hugged me tightly again.
Michael had been very tolerant toward my family. If it was not because of his love for me, my family would not have been around Avenport given the things they had done.
Leaning on Michael’s chest, I said nothing more. Every single time I went against Michael’s advice, I ended up regretting it. This time around, I felt I really needed to stand firm and not give in.
I stayed in the ward for the entire night. Although the doctor had said he would be fine, I was still worried. I would not be at ease until I saw him regain consciousness with my own eyes.
My mom refused to talk to me during the entire night. I knew she blamed me for not helping them. If I had, my dad would not have collapsed.
I was well aware of their feelings, but I said nothing. Since I had already made a decision, I would keep to it.
It was a tormenting night for me. Thankfully, my dad woke up when morning came. I was so relieved. When he collapsed the day before, I was utterly terrified.
I placed a pillow behind his back and asked, “Dad, you’re awake. How are you feeling? Are you hurting anywhere?”
Although the doctor had said that my dad was fine, he still looked frail, and his gaze was fixated on me.
