Words I Was Afraid To Hear

That night, Midori noted that her husband did not make his usual evening call . The following morning, her brother arrived .

Since she was informed that he will be coming, she wore loose-fitting clothes to hide her small b.u.mp .

Aoi Xiu will not say anything about her daughter"s pregnancy . For her, it would be Midori"s decision . At the same time, it would also be her fault . After all, it is between siblings .

Midori kept on dialling Dan when her brother excused himself to play with Manta at the lanai . When she finally got through, Dan"s voice was hoa.r.s.e .

"h.e.l.lo?"

"Hey, what"s wrong with you? Did you catch a cold?"

On the other side, Dan realized that he had not called her the night before .

"Sorry for not calling you last night, Darling . I"m still at the hospital . "

"Hospital?!" Midori"s voice was full of worry .

"Hey, it"s not me . It"s . . . " he stopped himself . He deliberated for awhile how much to disclose .

Midori sighed hearing that the patient is not her husband . However, since he could not continue, she became worried again . "Who is it? Hey, are you still there? Is something wrong with your dad?"

"No, no . Dad is fine . It"s . . . my a.s.sistant . She had a vehicular accident . " He finished his thoughts in a breath . He decided that it would be bad for her if she keeps worrying by speculating .

"Oh my G.o.d! Is Mich.e.l.le okay now? Is Riley with her?!"

Just then, Masaichi Xiu came into the hallway to make his trip to the restroom .

Midori turned and glared at him as if he was the most despicable person in the world .

On the phone, Dan answered, "Riley was injured too, but it was less severe . He was driving when it happened . He refused to be thoroughly evaluated until Mich.e.l.le becomes stable . She is still under operation . "

Midori confronted her brother, giving him a push with one hand . "You cold, heartless man! Did they remove your heart when they saved you?! How could you continue to travel when your a.s.sistant just figured a car accident?!"

Masaichi did not say anything . For him, it would be better if she thought that way .

"My son needs me . I went according to schedule . We were brought up to always prioritize family . " He monotonously explained .

"Riley has been with you since the beginning! Now, you won"t even put some effort to help him?!"

"Secretary Ta is there . "

"Not the money, you idi*t!" Midori was fuming mad . She decided to walk away before she makes the wrong move and hurt her baby .

_______________

At the hospital, the attending surgeon declared that the patient was stable . Afterwards, a group of doctors emerged from the operating room .

Mich.e.l.le needed several surgeries and was referred to orthopedics, thoracic surgery, urology, and gynecology . She had transfusions of a total of 5 units for red cells and 3 units of plasma . Her external blood loss was ma.s.sive and the internal bleeding was also hard to contain .

Riley subconsciously stood up, teary-eyed . The attending doctor asked him for a private discussion .

Riley sat down facing the doctor in a small clinic . The kind surgeon offered him some water .

He gulped and swallowed a sip as he became sullen for the possible bad news .

The middle-aged doctor spoke . "Your wife had a fractured left hip, wherein the bones splintered into her abdomen, damaging parts of her bowels and one of her ovaries . We needed to repair the affected organs . However, we could not save the affected ovary . I saw from the information you provided that you don"t have kids yet . I believe that after recovery, it would be difficult for her to have children . Also, the recovery would take some time . We"re talking about years here . She will be needing rehabilitation . I would like you to be prepared on caring for her needs and understanding her limitations . " His voice was certain but gentle .

Riley nodded . He nodded way too much, as if contemplating than agreeing . He remembered her parents . They would want grandkids once they get married . They had just been shocked by the news of their marriage . Now, they will get the news that their daughter might not be able to bear a child .

If it was just him, he would be fine even if they would not have kids . However, he knew Mich.e.l.le would be devastated . She had told him that she would want a family of their own in the near future .

"I will give you time to think things through . " The doctor stood up and left him alone .