Married To My Ex's Brother, Reborn Miraculously-Chapter 253: The crushing guilt

Augustine wrapped his arms around her again, holding her even tighter. "Don’t say that. You didn’t know. None of this is your fault."

But Anne shook her head, her eyes filled with raw pain. "No... I do know what Patricia and Lorie are capable of. They’ve always hated me. I hesitated to eat the cupcakes, but I still let Audrey eat them. I should have warned her."

Augustine held her close, murmuring gentle reassurances, though he knew deep down that words alone couldn’t erase the guilt tearing through Anne. Her sobs had quieted, but the pain in her eyes lingered. She wouldn’t find peace until Audrey opened her eyes and smiled again.

But he couldn’t let her stay trapped in that spiral of blame.

"You’ve cried enough," he said softly, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. "Look at me."

She did, reluctantly, her eyes swollen and red.

"You should be thankful that you and the baby are safe. You didn’t eat them. That’s a miracle in itself. As for Audrey, she’ll be okay. If you can’t trust what I’m saying, then trust the doctors. They know what they are doing."

Anne gave a shaky nod. "I just... I hope she can pull through," she whispered.

"She will," Augustine said, pulling her back into his chest. "She will."

But behind the steady calm he projected, a storm was brewing.

The thought of Anne convulsing on a restaurant floor, fighting for her life, made his blood run cold. The idea that their unborn child could’ve been lost in an instant turned his stomach. The danger had come so close, too close.

It was a deliberate attempt to kill her.

’Patricia tried to poison her.’

The rage that simmered behind his composed expression now burned white-hot.

Still holding Anne protectively in one arm, he reached into his coat pocket with the other. His fingers flew across his phone as he typed a short, urgent message to Gustave: ’Come to the hospital. Immediately. I need your help.’

He hit the send button, eyes dark and unreadable.

No one would get away with this.

Just then, the doors to the operating room swung open, and the doctor stepped out. Anne and Augustine rushed toward him.

"How is she?" Anne asked, her heart pounding with panic. "Please tell me she is okay."

Her eyes searched the doctor’s face desperately, clinging to the hope of good news.

The doctor gave a reassuring nod. "We managed to clean her stomach in time," she said calmly. "Had she arrived even a few minutes later, it could have been fatal. But she is stable now. We’ll keep her under observation for the next 24 hours, but she is out of immediate danger. You can relax."

She offered Anne a warm, comforting smile before walking away.

Relief hit Anne like a wave. The adrenaline that had kept her upright until now finally gave out. Her knees buckled, her body swayed, and her vision blurred. The world tilted, and she collapsed.

"Anne!" Augustine shouted, catching her just in time before she hit the ground. He cradled her gently, tapping her cheek with urgency. "Anne—stay with me. Open your eyes."

But Anne didn’t respond to him.

His voice tightened. "Doctor."

Nurses rushed over at once, a doctor close behind. They carefully lifted Anne and placed her on a stretcher, wheeling her away.

Augustine followed closely, his expression grim and heart pounding all over again.

As the emergency door closed, Augustine sank heavily into the chair outside. His hands trembled, nerves shot, his mind racing with the image of Anne passing out.

Then a voice broke through the fog.

"Sir," Gustave called cautiously.

Augustine looked up, eyes unfocused, as if dragging himself back to the present. It took a moment before he recognized the man standing in front of him. He blinked, then sat up straighter, pulling himself together.

"Gustave," he muttered. "There is something I need you to do immediately."

He reached for the chair beside him and grabbed the cupcake box. Handing it over, he said, "Take these for testing. I want to know exactly what was in them. And find Patricia."

His expression darkened, eyes like steel. "She dared to poison Anne. I want her held accountable. I want her to pay for what she has done."

Gustave took the box with a grim nod. "Consider it done, sir."

"And one more thing," Augustine said, his expression darkening further. "She is not the only one who tried to hurt Anne. Lorie is her partner in crime. Contact Robert and tell him to deal with her."

"I’ll make sure Lorie will pay for her deeds." Gustave turned and strode out of the hospital, already making calls as he went.

Augustine leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment, willing himself to stay calm, but fury still pulsed beneath the surface.

Another voice reached him.

"Sir..."

He opened his eyes to see Sam standing in front of him, guilt carved into his face.

"I’m sorry, sir," Sam said, lowering his head. "I was waiting outside the restaurant. I had no idea what was going on inside. If you wish to punish me, I’ll accept it."

Augustine waved him off with a tired gesture. "You are not to blame. Just go. Help Gustave."

Sam nodded quickly and rushed out.

After some time, the doctor came out of the emergency room, and Augustine immediately stood, his eyes locked on the man, searching for answers.

"She is fine," the doctor said with a small, reassuring smile. "The baby is also doing well. Just exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed. We’ve moved her to a room. She is resting now. You can go see her."

"Thank you," Augustine replied, sighing with relief.

The doctor gave a polite nod before adding, "Just make sure not to disturb her while she is sleeping."

With that, the doctor walked away.

Augustine made his way to Anne’s room, heart pounding a little faster with every step. He stepped inside and found her lying on the hospital bed, her breathing slow and steady.

He walked to her side and sat down in the chair beside the bed. Carefully, he took her hand in both of his, lifting it to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss against her skin.

"I’ll make them pay for this." His voice was barely a whisper, eyes never leaving her face. "Every single one of them who dared to think of hurting you. They’ll regret it."

Just then, Augustine’s phone buzzed, slicing through the stillness of the hospital room. He glanced at Anne, still peacefully asleep, and quickly silenced the ringtone. Not wanting to disturb her, he slipped out quietly and stepped into the corridor.

When he checked the screen, his brows furrowed in surprise—Lucien.

Why was he calling?

He answered as he walked toward a quieter corner of the hallway. "Hello?"

"Augustine." Lucien’s voice came through. He sounded disturbed. "Punish whoever hurt Audrey. If you don’t, I will. I’ll burn this whole damn city to the ground."

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