"I'm just disgusted with my own helplessness."
Godfrey clenched the napkin in his hand tightly. "Why couldn't I have the strength to take her away from Declan's grasp..."
Matilda sighed. "It's not your fault, Godfrey..."
Godfrey didn't respond, simply bowing his head, his handsome profile tinged with a deep melancholy.
"Look, we've already brought her back to us," Matilda encouraged him. "It's okay, we'll protect her from now on. Declan won't take her away again."
Godfrey looked up at Matilda and managed a smile that resembled a cry. "Alright."
...
That night, Yvan received a late call from Carl. Instantly knowing it had to do with Matilda, he quickly became alert. The first thing he said was, "What's happened to her?"
"Ms. Thompson is fine. It's... one of Ms. Thompson's friends that's in trouble."
Carl explained, "Miss Chloe was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night, but because this hospital is short-staffed tonight, Miss Chloe's situation is a bit... tricky."
Yvan's brow furrowed. Then he said, "Call over a few from the neighboring clinic."
"At this hour, some doctors might be asleep."
"Put it on my tab. I'll send their kids some gifts tomorrow. Just get those seasoned doctors from the clinic for me, tell them Yvan sends his thanks."
"This..." Carl felt it was a bit too much. It wasn't Matilda in trouble, but her friend, and yet Yvan was going to such lengths?
"Right, my heart aches for that girl."
As they busied themselves with concern for Chloe, they hardly wondered where this group of doctors had come from or who had called them until Chloe's condition finally stabilized. Only then did Matilda and Godfrey breathe a sigh of relief.
When Godfrey sneezed as they were about to enter, Matilda expressed concern. "Don't you catch a cold now."
Godfrey smiled reassuringly. "I'm a big guy, strong as an ox."
He then walked in to see Chloe with an IV drip in her arm, lying in bed, her long eyelashes casting shadows on her peaceful face.
It was a shame to see her so pale, as if she had been through a harrowing ordeal.
With a fever peaking at 108 degrees Fahrenheit, she was at risk of either ending up brain-damaged or worse. The fact that the fever had broken was a small comfort to everyone.
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