Substitute Wife for the Mafia King R18-Chapter 321: Painful Guilt

“She is still sleeping, and I suggest that she takes some time to recover here in the hospital. We may need to run checks on her afterwards because this might also be a result of stress or some other underlying condition,” the doctor said before showing me a small smile of reassurance.

“Thank you,” I replied softly.

The doctor nodded at me before walking off. Then one of the nurses approached me to explain that Dahlia would be moved to her private room.

... 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

I made sure that Delia got the best hospital room as if it would somehow lighten my sense of guilt. I wanted her to wake up in a comfortable room, where natural light shone in from the window. I wanted her to be able to see the view of the garden when she looked down from the window because I had no idea how long she needed to stay in the hospital for. Although I didn’t like the idea of Dahlia spending time outside of the mansion, I would prefer for her to fully recover before making her return.

I looked down at Dahlia’s face as she slept peacefully on the hospital bed while thinking that she does look very drained of energy. Her emotionless face felt like a cold mask, and I didn’t like the fact that I could not hear the sound of her voice or see the emotions shining through her eyes. All In all, I desperately wished that she would wake up.

I brought a chair close to her bedside before gently lowering myself down onto it while making sure not to make any loud noises that would disturb her slumber. I knew very well that soon enough I would have to tell everyone about Dahlia’s condition and the fact that she was now in the hospital. The fact that Dahlia would have to be missing in action for a while would have implications on many people; however, I couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone about what had happened or the fact that Dahlia was now in the hospital.

The hospital was so silent and the entire building felt so void of life during that time late at night that it felt like we were in our own precious private little world. Even if it was just for tonight, I would like to keep her all to myself. I wanted to make it so that no one else could disturb us so that I would have the time to take care of her and deal with my own guilty conscience.

My eyes glance down from her face to where her hand rested at her side. I struggled with my emotions and hesitation for quite some time before slowly reaching my hand and gingerly taking her hand into mine. My fear that I would wake Dahlia up was completely unfounded. Even after I had taken her hand into my own, Dahlia did not even stir.

"Dahlia, I’m sorry..." I apologized to her even though I knew that she couldn’t hear me.

...

“What do you mean that it’s going to take time? It’s been 2 days already! Why isn’t she waking up?” I asked the doctor while debating with myself if I should squeeze his neck until his eyes popped out.

“It is very hard to tell when she will wake up because right now her body is taking the time to recover and heal. She will wake up when her body is healthy enough. For now, I’m making sure that she’s receiving all the rest and the nutrients that she needs for her swift recovery,” the doctor explained before smiling at me politely.

Of course, I understood that it takes time for a patient to recover. However, the way that the doctor acted like what Dahlia was going through wasn’t a big deal made me hoped that she would wake up the following morning after she was admitted into the hospital. I spent the entire night holding Dahlia’s hand while praying desperately that she would open her eyes when dawn arrived the following morning. I stayed by her side without sleeping, because it was clear to me that there was no way that I could fall asleep even if I wanted to, and I never wanted to.

That night felt like one of the longest nights that I had ever experienced in my life. The following morning, Dahlia was still trapped in her deep sleep. I called for the doctor so that he could check up on Dahlia again. The doctor came in with a few nurses and after adjusting something on the machines that Dahlia was hooked up to, he informed me that Dahlia needed more rest in order to recover. I told myself that I need to be supportive and patient. Instead of going crazy while waiting anxiously for Dalia to regain her consciousness, I focus on the various things that I could do for her.

I give Jenna a call to tell her that Dahlia was in the hospital and for her to bring everything that she thought Dahlia might need from the mansion. I took a week off from work as both Anthony and myself to make sure that I had time to take care of Dahlia even after she wakes up. However, even after two whole days there weren’t any signs that Dahlia would wake up. By that time, my guilt had become so unbearable, but at the same time, fear had started taking over me and I couldn’t stop thinking of Anthony and the condition that he was in.

I felt so bitter about the fact that there was nothing that I could do. Applying any more pressure on the doctor and the medical staff wouldn’t necessarily lead to a productive outcome.

“Please do your best to help her recover...” I said emotionlessly.

When everyone left the room, I was reminded again that this was all my fault. I should have been more considerate of her health and I should have been more aware of her well-being given the fact that we spent almost all of our time together. Sometimes it was difficult to see what was staring me right in the face. I should have taken much better care of her and not push her to this extent. I stared down at her sleeping face before bending down and gently planting a kiss on her forehead.

“Wake up soon, Dahlia. I’m going crazy just waiting for you...” I whispered.

–To be continued...