C197 She Has Been Admitted

The night felt longer than any I could remember. Minutes passed as we stayed inside Alicia's hospital room. Finally, Dr. Kendrick stepped in, removing his surgical mask before looking at all of us with a reassuring smile. "There is no need to worry anymore." Everyone unconsciously released the breath they had been holding.

"Mrs. Smith and the baby are both stable." "However," Dr. Kendrick continued, "because of the physical stress she experienced, the loss of blood on the way to the hospital, and the emotional shock she suffered earlier today, I would like to admit her for at least two days for observation." Peter immediately nodded. "Whatever is best for my granddaughter." Georgia clasped her hands together thankfully. "As long as she and the baby are safe."

Mark also let out a relieved sigh while Valeria smiled proudly as both a nurse and an aunt. Only... I couldn't bring myself to celebrate completely. Everyone was relieved. Everyone looked happy. But inside... My thoughts had already drifted back to somewhere else. Alicia's sudden hospitalization meant she wouldn't be returning to work anytime soon. The restructuring we had only just begun... The appointment of the new inspectors... The loopholes we had identified... All of it would now fall onto my shoulders.

I wasn't afraid of hard work. I was only afraid of disappointing her. Without realizing it, my expression became unusually serious. Apparently... I wasn't as good at hiding my emotions as I thought. Alicia noticed immediately. She gently reached for my hand. "Mike..." I looked up. She smiled softly. "You're thinking about work, aren't you?" I wanted to deny it. Instead... I simply nodded. "A little."

Alicia squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry." "You've always solved problems one step at a time." "I believe in you." Her confidence in me somehow made the burden feel even heavier. Not because she pressured me... But because I didn't want to disappoint the person who trusted me the most. Peter smiled warmly. "Alicia." "Your grandmother and I will stay here tonight." "You don't have to worry about anything."

Georgia nodded in agreement. "We'll keep you company." "If you need water, medicine or anything else..." "We'll be here." Alicia smiled gratefully before gently shaking her head. "Grandpa..." "Grandma..." "I'm really alright." "The doctor already said I only need rest." "If all of you stay here..." "Who will rest properly?" Georgia immediately objected. "But you're our granddaughter." "How can we leave you alone?"

Alicia reached over and held her grandmother's hand. "I won't be alone." "The nurses are here." "Aunt Valeria is also on duty tonight." "I'll be perfectly safe." Peter still looked reluctant. "But..." She smiled mischievously. "If you stay..." "You'll end up worrying the entire night instead of sleeping." "And tomorrow you'll both complain that your backs hurt from the hospital chairs." Even Peter laughed. "You really know your grandfather too well."

She nodded proudly. "Of course I do." "You always pretend you're stronger than you actually are." The room filled with gentle laughter. I cleared my throat. "In that case..." "I'll stay." Immediately... Alicia shook her head. "No." I blinked. "No?" She looked at me seriously. "Mike." "You have work tomorrow morning." "The headquarters needs you." "The executives will be waiting." "You still have the appointments to finalize." "You'll accomplish much more there than sitting beside my hospital bed worrying."

I frowned. "But..." She interrupted me before I could continue. "I'll only be here for two days." "I'll be resting." "You'll only make yourself tired." I looked toward the others. To my surprise... Even Peter nodded. "She's right." "Lucia Goods needs someone in charge." Georgia smiled gently. "We'll all visit tomorrow." "You should focus on the company." I lowered my head before sighing. "...Alright." Alicia smiled victoriously. "Good." "That's my hardworking husband."

After another few minutes of conversation... Everyone slowly prepared to leave. Just as we reached the door... Alicia suddenly called out. "Mike." I turned around. "Yes?" She glanced toward everyone else before smiling awkwardly. "Can I... talk to you alone for a moment?" Peter smiled knowingly. "Come." "Let's give these two some privacy."

One by one... Everyone quietly stepped outside. The room became peaceful again. Only Alicia and I remained. She looked at me for several moments before finally speaking. "Husband..." "I know you." I smiled. "You do?" She nodded. "I saw your expression earlier." "You've been thinking about the company ever since Dr. Kendrick said I'd be staying here." I scratched my head helplessly. "...Was it that obvious?"

She laughed softly. "Very obvious." Then her expression became serious. "Listen carefully." "In my absence..." "Don't spend every minute worrying about me." "I'm in good hands." "What I need most..." "...is for you to help me protect everything we've started building together." She gently squeezed my hand. "The appointments for the two Chief Inspectors must still happen." "The Development Department can't continue operating without supervision." "The Production Department also needs restructuring."

She looked directly into my eyes. "So promise me..." "...that you'll keep moving forward." I smiled warmly before nodding. "I promise." "You just focus on resting." "And protecting our little one." A gentle smile spread across her pale face. She slowly leaned against the pillow, looking far more relaxed than before. Only then... Did I finally feel ready to leave.

At almost the same time, Chris, who had rushed to the hospital as soon as he heard about Alicia, had already left. He had taken a taxi back home, but halfway through the journey, he suddenly remembered something. He immediately called Sarah. "Wife, I have good news!" Sarah had already fallen asleep. The ringing of her phone woke her, and she was initially irritated. But the moment she saw Chris's name on the screen, her expression immediately changed.

This was the first time Chris had actually called her directly. She answered quickly. "Chris? You're calling me?" "Yes." Sarah sat up in bed. "That's the first time you've ever called me!" Chris frowned. "What do you mean? We talk all the time." "I always call on Weibo!" "A call is a call." Sarah opposed, "No, it isn't!" Chris sighed. "Why are you making such a big deal about it?" "Because you have never actually called me before."

Chris argued, "How is a call on weibo different from phone call?" Sarah said impatiently. "It is different. Tell me why you called." Chris was still not satisfied, "I have some good news but before i tell you you have to tell me how they are different." Sarah had no energy to argue with him so she quickly responded "No they are not diffetent, they are the same. Can we talk about the good news now?"

Chris immediately smiled. "Good. Now I can tell you." Sarah laughed. "Finally! What is the good news?" Chris's voice became excited. "Alicia has been admitted to the City Hospital." Sarah's smile immediately disappeared. "What?" Chris froze. "Why did you sound so scared?" "How is that good news? What happened to her?" "Wait.." "What is her room number? I'm going to see her!" "Sarah, calm down!" "Chris, tell me everything!"

Chris finally said the part that he was most excited about. "Turns out you're not the only one who's pregnant." Sarah froze. "What? Alicia is pregnant too!" Chris said "Yes she is." Sarah's eyes widened. "You mean... Mike and Alicia are expecting a baby?" "Yes!" Chris laughed. "My brother finally did the job!" There was silence. "Sarah?" She didn't answer. "Sarah?" Still nothing. "Are you there?"

Sarah finally spoke. "Send me Mike's phone number." Chris blinked. "What?" "Mike's number. Quickly." "But.." Sarah ended the call. Chris stared at his phone in confusion. Then realization slowly dawned on him. "Oh no." He sighed. "I did it again." He had once again failed to keep a secret. Chris shook his head. "Brother, you'll understand. I was just too excited."

He quickly sent Mike's number to Sarah before putting his phone away. The news about Alicia's pregnancy was supposed to remain a private family matter. But somehow, Chris had already told his wife. And by morning, there was a good chance the entire Wood family would know.