Chapter 435: A worsening disease
Josefina knew there was no way to convince Vanessa at a time like this, so she agreed.
In the back of his mind, he thought it was a good thing he had contacted Dylan as soon as he heard that Mercedes was sick, and that Dylan should be trying to get back. Unfortunately, Dylan’s flight to the branch had just landed and he would be back before he could rest.
It was a thirty-hour flight there and back, so you can imagine how hard it was.
But for Vanessa’s sake, Dylan had to be willing to do the same.
-Candy, would you like to sleep with Aunt Josephine tonight? Mummy has to stay at the hospital with grandma, so she can’t stay with you.
-All right, I’ll be good and listen to Aunt Josephine.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
Cecilia nodded her head vigorously and said with particular seriousness
Vanessa was so relieved and heartbroken by her daughter’s understanding that she stepped forward to give her a gentle hug and kissed her forehead lovingly.
-Good girl, when Candy wakes up, she’ll go to mummy with Aunt Josephine, OK?
-All right.
After saying goodbye to Josefina and Cecilia, Vanessa returned to the ICU door and looked through the glass at Mercedes who was lying inside, praying that she would recover from her illness.
How could he leave when the days had finally calmed down and he still had time to enjoy his family?
-Mum, nothing should happen to you.
During the night, Vanessa stayed outside, worried that something might happen to Mercedes. Fortunately, the weather was warm and the nights were not too cold, so it was possible to be outdoors.
Leaning against the wall, she hung her head slightly.
Vanessa had been alone when Philip’s accident happened, and she could not let her mother, who was not well, worry, so she had always acted extra strong.
But Vanessa knew he must have flown overseas, that he was tired from the long flight and that he had work to do, so she was too stubborn to call Dylan and ask him to come back at that time.
So this time she was alone in her fear and suffering.
It’s not that Vanessa doesn’t want someone to lean on, she’s just more stubborn.
In the middle of the night, Vanessa leaned against the wall in a light, drowsy sleep.
I had nightmares.
Dreams that Mercedes was not well, that her life was slipping away. He dreams of her holding his hand and saying a lot of things to him, as if he were saying his last words to her. He also dreamt that he closed his eyes forever and never woke up again.
-Mum…
Vanessa let out a painful whisper, tears streaming down her face even as she slept, panic gripping her face.
-Vanessa? Vanessa, wake up. Good girl, you’re having a nightmare, wake up.
Vaguely Vanessa heard a familiar voice whispering her name over and over again in her own ears, with a sincere and loving tone that made her instantly aggravated and throw herself into his arms in spite of everything.
-Why now? Why now? Why? I was so scared that mum would leave me, I really was. Oooh… why only now.
-I’m sorry darling, I’m sorry I’m late. Be good, don’t cry, it’s hard for me to cry.
It was the first time Dylan had ever felt that a woman’s tears were so condemnable.
Like boiling lava sizzling his heart, it was hard to breathe in his chest. He felt like giving Vanessa everything he had, even his own life, if only she would stop crying.
-Baby. It was just a dream. Dreams are the opposite of reality. Be good, I’m here, I’m with you.
Vanessa had not fully woken up before, she had only leaned on Dylan out of instinct. Now she was awake and realised that she had not dreamt, but that Dylan had really come back.
He was at her side, hugging her!
Vanessa looked at him in a daze and asked
-Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be abroad at this time of year? You’re back, what about the foreign branch?
-The branch is not as important as you.
Dylan sat up and took Vanessa in his arms, wiping the tears from her face.
-You idiot, why didn’t you call me after such a big incident? Did you have to make me feel bad?
Vanessa said nothing and leaned quietly against Dylan.
At this moment, his embrace was what I needed most.
-Get some sleep, I’ll keep watch.
Dylan’s voice was especially soft, as if he had magical powers, and Vanessa leaned against him and slowly closed her eyes. She was a little more relaxed because she had something to lean on, and as she was already tired after a long day of stress, she quickly fell asleep.
-Good girl, sleep well, everything will be fine.
Dylan said softly and kissed Vanessa gently on the forehead.
Vanessa woke up after only two hours of sleep, when it was already bright outside.
She looked at Dylan in a daze, slightly dazed.
-So you’re really back? I thought I was dreaming.
-Feel it and make sure it wasn’t a dream.
Dylan laughed, grabbing Vanessa’s hand and pressing his palm against her face.
-It’s real.
-Of course it’s real, I’m here, I’m with you. Whatever happens, I’m with you. So don’t worry, and don’t carry it alone anymore. Leave everything in my hands, I can be the person you trust.
-Mmm.
Vanessa quietly agreed.
He looked at Dylan in silence and suddenly felt a total release somewhere in his heart. It was as if a clear spring had been poured into it, and it was still warm.
At that moment, she suddenly understood that she was with Dylan in a natural way, that she herself liked him and was happy.
-Dylan, we’re going to be together.
Although the two had seemed close to outsiders for the past two years, and together with Cecilia they were a very sweet family. Although they had been living together, fitting into each other’s lives as a real couple.
But no one has ever spoken out to break this state of affairs, no one has ever really said anything about how to be together.
And now, this understanding has been broken by Vanessa herself.
Of course, Dylan wanted them to be together for real, to be a real family of three, countless times.
He wanted to marry Vanessa, have a licence with her and, ideally, have a child with her.
Thus, a daughter and a son would form a good family.
Dylan had never asked Vanessa to ask him before, so this moment was especially surreal for him.
The incumbent, Dylan, had a dumbfounded expression on his face, staring dumbly at Vanessa, his breath coming in gasps, like a small child who doesn’t understand the world.
-Vanessa, are you telling the truth?
-Dylan, let’s stick together.
Vanessa said it again, solemnly.
-Good.
Dylan finished and hugged Vanessa tightly.
His body was trembling with emotion and his heart was overflowing with joy.
The prayer did not bring good news.
By the end of the day, Mercedes’ condition began to deteriorate and she was wheeled into resuscitation for a second time.