Chapter 574 Choices and Consequences
Chloe was momentarily taken aback by Michael's words but found them somewhat amusing.
"Get some sleep; you have a flight to catch tomorrow," Michael suggested.
Smith's surgery would definitely take more than an hour or two. If she did not sleep now, she might not get any rest until tomorrow.
He felt worried about her; being pregnant, she was already prone to drowsiness.
Michael's shoulder was broad and comfortable, and Chloe, feeling genuinely tired after the tension she had been under, decided not to resist. Outside, the sound of cicadas filled the air, an odd occurrence for autumn.
Gradually, Chloe drifted into sleep.
She was awakened by noises in the hallway.
The nighttime activity in the hospital's inpatient department was often unsettling, with patients being moved and family members crying out in distress. Opening her eyes, she realized that Michael had maintained the same position to support her while she slept.
"How long was I asleep?" she asked, lifting her head from his shoulder.
"Two hours," Michael replied after checking the time.
Chloe glanced at the still-lit operating room.
The sky outside had long turned dark, and the hospital's harsh lights added to Chloe's heavy heart.
"Michael, should I tell James the truth?"
When the patient was wheeled away to another operating room earlier, the family outside was crying and shouting, going through a moment of life and death.
Chloe was also troubled by the thought of depriving James of his right to know, especially after witnessing another family's anguish.
Michael took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. "Do what you think is right."
He knew that every situation had multiple facets and choices, and he could not tell Chloe which was the correct one. But he believed she had an inner sense of what she wanted to do. Chloe looked at him, feeling that his answer was somewhat unhelpful.
"Are you hungry? I will get you something to eat," Michael offered.
Chloe shook her head, lacking any appetite.
Michael did not press further and remained still. She assumed he had given up on the idea until half an hour later when Ethan arrived, carrying several bags.
"Mr. Shawn, here are the things you wanted!"
Ethan said, handing over the bags filled with food, including Chloe's favorite crème brûlée.
Chloe felt a bit of sympathy for Ethan, who had probably rushed over a long distance, especially during rush hour.
However, she also realized that Ethan was well-compensated, lived in a luxury home, and perhaps his job was not as burdensome as she seemed.
"I bought a variety of things as you asked, Mr. Shawn."
Michael nodded and turned to Chloe. "You should eat something. Have you not had anything today?"
Chloe then realized that she had not eaten.Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.
Just as he watched her shaking her head, Michael opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, Chloe said, "I will eat, even if it is for the baby. I understand." She already knew what he was going to say.
But Michael shook his head. "No, it is not just for the baby. You need to eat for yourself."
He was not just concerned about the baby, and after all, the child was not his.
Chloe, feeling his genuine concern, managed to eat a few bites. However, she soon felt too full and stopped, knowing any more would make her sick.
Michael did not force her and let her be after she had eaten a little.
Chloe thought, "Smith's condition was serious; his cancer had a low chance of being cured. Even in the best scenario, the treatment would only prolong his life by a few years." With a heavy heart, Chloe remained with Michael until morning.