THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 301: Complications

Lauren’s breath caught in her throat as she watched helplessly, still finding it hard to reconcile herself to the reality staring her in the face.

Inside the hospital, time seemed to stand still as they waited anxiously by the theater door.

Lauren felt a hand wrap around her shoulders and turned to stare into the face whose eyes were laden with compassion.

"He’s going to be alright, my friend," she heard her dearest friend whom she had not seen for over a year say to her.

With a slight nod, she continued staring at the light on the theater door, clinging to the flickering hope that Steffan would eventually survive.

Hours later, the doctor finally emerged from the operating room, his face etched with exhaustion but his eyes alight with a glimmer of hope. "He’s stable," he announced, the words a balm to their frayed nerves. "But it will be a long road to recovery," he added.

Relief flooded through Lauren and Steffan’s mother like a tidal wave, their tears flowing down in sync.

"That’s good to hear," Shawn Hudson, who had just arrived when the doctor was delivering the news said.

Both Lauren and Kathleen turned as they heard his voice.

"Thanks for coming around," Lauren said, finally able to spare other things and people some thoughts.

"What are you saying? Of course it is our responsibility as friends," Kathleen waved her hands dismissing Lauren’s statement.

"How about the children?" Lauren asked.

"They are waiting in the car outside."

Lauren’s brow furrowed in a slight frown. "Is it time already?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Shawn replied.

"But... " Kathleen began but was cut off by Shawn.

"I know it’s natural for us to stay back with our friends in their trying moment, but I’m sorry, sweetheart, we have to leave now," he said to Kathleen.

"It’s fine, you can go ahead," Lauren said with understanding. "At least he’s out of danger now and I believe we can handle the rest," Lauren urged Kathleen to listen to her husband.

Kathleen was in the middle of a world conference held biennially for all Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and had flown over from Shanghai just to attend the wedding.

To meet up with the time, they needed to leave immediately, since Kathleen was scheduled to give a talk at the conference the following day. And the 14 hours they will be spending on the plane has to be factored into their arrangement.

"Lauren is right, Kathy dear, go with your husband. We’ll take care of things. It is enough already that you made the sacrifice to come over for the wedding despite your busy schedule. It should have been over by now if not for..." Monica Holmes, Lauren’s mother trailed off, overwhelmed by emotions.

How could her daughter’s wedding day almost turn to her husband’s death day. Why was this happening to her sweet daughter?

"Pull yourself together, sister," Sarah Rosse, Steffan’s mother comforted, despite the ache in her own heart.

They had both turned friends after their children got together and finding out that their last two children gave them the hardest time before they got married, they felt they shared a common fate and couldn’t wait to see them finally get married.

Who would have imagined that a wedding service will turn out to be a gun service almost taking the lives of their children?

She reminded herself that she would never let the Dawson family off. Since they couldn’t caution their daughter to respect human lives, she’ll do all she can to make their lives miserable.

She didn’t mind getting aid from her other friends to ensure they pay for their failure as parents.

She almost hated herself for forcing her son to marry such a psychopath in the past. ’How blind was I not to see through her?’

"Aunties, we’re leaving our friends in your care, please take care of them.

"Rest assured, dear. We will. They are our children afterall," Sarah Rosse, who had also grown to know and love Kathleen assured.

Turning to Lauren, Kathleen held her in a strong embrace. "I’ll make sure to call from time to time, and don’t fail to call me if you encounter any difficulties, Ok?"

"Yes, I will. Now hurry up and leave," Lauren broke the embrace and pushed her friend towards her husband.

"Bye girlfriend, bye aunties," Kathleen said.

Shawn just nodded at the three women before leaving with his wife.

As Lauren watched the couple walk away hand in hand, she couldn’t help but remember how she had always imagined her life with Steffan’s after marriage.That dream was almost fulfilled today.

Even after theiy had long disappeared her eyes was still fixed in their direction until she heard her mother’s voice.

"I’m fine mummy," she said softly when she saw the look in her mothers eyes.

"Thank God Steffan is alive, you two will hold your wedding as soon as he gets better," Sarah comforted, and loving patted Laren’s hair.

"Thanks mom," she said and leaned her head on Sarah’s shoulder.

She was glad she had such an understanding and loving mother in-law unlike most people. Although she wasn’t yet married to Steffan, she still treated her as her own daughter.

"Now let’s get you changed from this gown. I’m sure it’s no longer comfortable."

"That will be after Steffan is settled into a ward." Lauren said.

"Of course," Monica agreed, glad at the way Sarah was treating her daughter. With such a mother-in-law, she had nothing to worry about. She didn’t doubt that her daughter would enjoy her family.

Not quite long after, Steffan was wheeled out of the theater and they followed him to the VIP ward that had been arranged for him. As a senior doctor in the hospital, there was no doubt that he would be receiving the best treatment.

The family of three stayed with him for some time before Sarah reminded Lauren to go home and change from her wedding gown.

On her way out of the hospital, she met Stanley Rosse, Steffan’s elder brother and his wife, Candace.

"How is he," Stanley asked.

"He’s been taken to the ward but still out but the doctor assured that he’ll be waking up soon. But mom insisted I go change from this.

Stanley nodded in agreement. "She’s right, you need to do that. You must be uncomfortable going about with the gown."

"Which ward is he in?" Stanley asked.

After giving him the ward number, Lauren made to go but was stopped by Candace.

"Let me go with you."

Lauren paused briefly then shrugged, "alright," she said and they both headed out to the hospital car park where Stanley’s driver was waiting in the car.

"Do you want us to go to your place or Steffan’s," Candace said as they settled into the car.

Lauren couldn’t help blushing. We were not living together yet so my stuff is still at my parents’ house.

"Oh, that means it’s your parents’ place then."

"Is there a problem?" Lauren asked when she saw the way Candace was looking.

"No, it’s just that I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind going into the house still dressed like this.

I understand. Afterall, I never expected to return to my parents house still dressed in my wedding attire on the very day of my wedding. But the servants here are quite understanding and wouldn’t say anything."

"That’s fine."

"Thanks, I do appreciate your concern," Lauren smiled.

"Anything for my darling sister," Candace, who never had a sister, was only too happy to address Lauren with such a title.

From the very first day she was introduced to Lauren when they had taken the children to the amusement park with the other children from the foundation she was running, she had liked Lauren and when Steffan introduced her as his future wife, she was over the moon with excitement.

"Take us to Lauren’s house," she instructed the driver.

An hour later, they returned to Steffan’s VIP ward, and Lauren’s steps quickened with anticipation.

As she approached his bed, she was met with a flurry of activity. Nurses bustled around, their expressions tense with urgency, while Steffan’s family members clustered together, their faces etched with concern.

"What’s wrong?" Lauren’s voice trembled with fear as she addressed the doctor standing at the foot of Steffan’s bed.

The doctor turned to face her, his expression grave. "Steffan has woken up, but there’s a problem," he began, his words hanging heavy in the air.

Lauren’s heart lurched in her chest as a wave of dread washed over her. "What kind of problem?" she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper.

The doctor hesitated, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. "He is experiencing some complications," he explained, his tone measured but tinged with concern.

A shiver of fear coursed through Lauren’s veins as she processed the doctor’s words.

"What kind of complications, wasn’t the bullet removed successfully?"

"It was, but this had nothing to do with the bullet. The complication is from his head."

"What about his head?" Panic threatened to consume her as she struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.