Episode 8
(A FooL)
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Beep… Beep…
The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor echoed in my ears. I wanted to open my eyes, but my body felt like a lead weight, too drained to move. After a moment, I just gave in to the darkness, letting it wrap around me like an old friend.
Haa~ I guess, I survived…
Beep… Beep…
The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the air, telling me—I was in a hospital. Those two must have pulled off a miracle to get me here in time.
Click*
Suddenly the door clicked open, and I could hear someone step inside—probably a doctor. Their presence hovered near me, the soft rustle of fabric breaking the heavy silence as they checked my pulse.
"How is she?"
It was Grandfather's voice, heavy with concern.
"Her condition is stable now. No need to worry."
"I've been hearing that for hours! When is she going to wake up?"
His voice sharpened, frustration edging every word.
"Soon."
"And when is soon ? Haa~ Don't test my patience, Doctor."
Grandfather's tone shifted, the warning unmistakable.
"Th-"
"If anything happens to Lia, you'll have to answer."
His voice turned cold and piercing.
"She is just unconscious. Besides the anaphylactic attack, she hit her head too, remember? That's why it's taking some time for her to regain consciousness."
The doctor's voice was calm, holding steady against Grandfather's intensity.
"I know you're anxious, but please, just be patient for a little longer, Mr. Valemont."
"..."
Silence settled heavily before Grandfather's weary sigh broke it.
"Haa~ I'll give it a few more hours. If she doesn't wake up by then… you'd better be prepared."
Click*
Just then, the door to the room opened again, and someone stepped inside. Both my grandfather and the doctor fell silent before the doctor spoke up.
"I'll be on my way, then."
He nodded and left the room with his assistants. The other person began to speak almost immediately.
"What is her condition?"
It was Grandmother.
"The doctor said her condition is stable now."
Grandfather replied, his voice oddly lacking its usual strength.
"Sigh~"
A soft sigh escaped Grandmother's lips. She moved to my side, settling onto a stool next to my bed, her presence a bittersweet comfort.
"My little baby girl…"
Grandmother whispered, her hand brushing through my hair, tender and loving.
"Why did this have to happen to you? Why? Why can't you ever be at peace?"
Her voice cracked, raw with grief. I didn't need to see her to know she was crying.
A sharp ache spread through my chest, unfamiliar and heavy, as if her sorrow had seeped into me.
"Don't cry, honey."
Grandfather murmured, but his voice carried the same sadness.
"How can I not, Blake?" Her voice wavered, anger threading through the sorrow as she spoke. "Do you know what could've happened if that person hadn't been there?"
"If he didn't have that EpiPen? If he'd been even a second late…"
Her voice trembled, on the edge of breaking.
Sob.
Grandmother burst into tears, her sobs tore through the room, raw and heart-wrenching.
"It's all my fault! I shouldn't have let her go that day! Sob* I should've made her stay home!"
Her voice muffled, breaking under the weight of her guilt.
"Please…"
Her hands trembled as she gently cradled mine, her desperation seeping into every word.
"Please, wake up, Cecilia…"
She whispered, her voice barely holding together, her face pressed into my palm, damp with her tears.
"Please… You are my world…"
Ah… I really am a fool…
"Grandmother…"
Cecilia's voice, weak and hoarse, slipped out as her eyes finally fluttered open.
Gasp. "Lia!"
Iris gasped, frozen in shock before relief washed over her like a wave.
"Cilia!"
Blake's voice boomed, his expression mirroring the raw emotion in Iris's tear-filled eyes.
"Haha… I am up."
Cecilia whispered, a faint smile tugging at her lips, though it barely masked her exhaustion.
"Ah! My baby girl!"
Iris sobbed, tears falling freely as she kissed Cecilia's hand over and over.
"Doctor! Where is the doctor?"
Blake's voice broke through the moment as he rushed out of the room, excitement and impatience battling in his tone.
"What's wrong, Mr Valemont?"
A nurse asked, startled by his urgency.
"Hurry! Get the doctor! Cecilia—she's awake!"
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"How are you feeling?"
"Fine."
"Any trouble breathing?"
"No."
"Any itching in your throat?"
"No."
"Does your head hurt?"
Ah… Now that I think about it, I did hit my head pretty hard. It hurts when I think about it... but other than that-
"Not really…"
"Hmm. Alright. That's probably because of the anesthetic. It'll wear off soon, and it might hurt then. Take this painkiller when it does."
The doctor spoke, scribbling something on his clipboard.
"Alright."
"Is she really alright?"
Blake asked, concern lacing his voice.
"Yes, she is. But just to be safe, we'll observe her for the next 24 hours. If everything checks out, she can be released."
"Alright."
The doctor spoke quietly with Blake before they both left the room, their conversation fading into the hall.
"Are you really feeling alright, sweetheart?"
Iris's voice trembled with concern, her expression tight with worry.
"I am."
Cecilia replied, offering a reassuring smile, though it seemed weak.
"..."
Iris remained silent, her frown deepening as if she couldn't quite believe her.
"Really! I'm fine. Don't worry."
Cecilia insisted, trying to brush off the lingering concern.
"Anyway… I heard someone saved me?"
She blurted out, eager to shift the focus, the question spilling from her mind in an attempt to change the subject.
"Ah, yes. Where did you hear that from?"
"Did I say heard? Well… I meant remembered. I remember someone rushing toward me right before I lost conciousness."
"Ah… I see…"
For a moment, Iris's expression darkened, shadows clouding her eyes as if the memory stirred something painful.
'Ah… Is it because I mentioned that moment? Sigh~ I shouldn't have brought it up…'
Cecilia thought, noticing the shift in Iris's mood.
"Well…" After a heavy pause, Iris finally spoke, her voice softer.
"He was a good man. Apparently, he also has Anaphylaxis. So when he saw you, he recognized the signs immediately. We're lucky… lucky that he had an EpiPen with him."
"Ah… Is that so?"
Cecilia's voice was distant, her mind drifting somewhere else, lost in the haze of half-formed memories.
"Yes. We wanted to reward him, but he refused and left before we could even thank him properly."
"I see."
"Anyway, don't worry about anything, okay? I already contacted Judith, so your work is taken care of."
"Haha, thank you… and sorry for all the trouble."
"Aghh! This girl!"
Iris huffed, lightly slapping Cecilia's shoulder, her frustration clear.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Haha…"
Cecilia gave a weak smile, her eyes softening before falling silent.
"You! Laughing after scaring me half to death! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
"Hahaha, is that so? I suppose I'll have to find a way to make it up to you."
Cecilia chuckled softly, her gaze resting on Iris, who was still grumpy.
"This girl! How…!"
Their banter went on for a little while longer, lightening the heaviness in the room. Eventually, as the exhaustion settled in, Cecilia's eyelids grew heavy, and soon, she drifted into sleep.