Mason Landon imdiately rushed forward, pulling open Joy Chase’s coat. He pressed his ear to her chest for a mont and said, "She still has a heartbeat. I’ll perform first aid!"
Wasting no ti, Vivian Quinn quickly let go of Joy Chase’s hand!
Mason Landon lifted Joy Chase and laid her on the ground, then began performing CPR!
After what felt like an eternity, Joy Chase finally, slowly opened her eyes!
"Joy!" Vivian Quinn wept with relief. "You scared to death!"
"Sis..." Joy Chase asked weakly, "what happened to ?"
"You ran out of the hospital by yourself and nearly froze to death out here!"
"Right, I left the hospital..." Joy Chase’s mory slowly returned. "I just wanted to ride the carousel... The carousel... The flowers... Where are my flowers?"
Just as Vivian Quinn was about to retrieve the flowers for her, all the lights in the area suddenly switched on. The carousel before them began to play music, a truly dazzling sight!
Joy Chase’s eyes lit up. She struggled to sit up, her gaze fixed on the carousel as a radiant smile spread across her pale face.
Her heart aching, Vivian Quinn picked up the bouquet of baby’s breath from the ground and handed it to her.
"Thanks, Sis." Joy Chase took the flowers, cradling them carefully in her arms as if they were a priceless treasure.
"Joy, we should go back. You’re very weak. We have to get you back to the hospital for a check-up right now."
"But Sis, since I made it all the way here, can you please help fulfill my wish?" Joy Chase pleaded. "I just wanted to ride the carousel one ti, but the staff wouldn’t let . So I hid in the restroom, thinking I’d wait for everyone to leave and sneak on for a little while, but I never expected they’d shut off the power."
Choking back a sob, Vivian Quinn nodded. "Okay. I’ll ride with you!"
Jett Sterling glanced at Easton Rivers, who understood imdiately and went to make the arrangents.
Vivian Quinn helped Joy Chase onto the carousel and then climbed on herself.
As the music played, the carousel slowly began to turn.
Joy Chase held the flowers in one arm and the pole with her other hand. She must have had no strength left, because she let her head rest against it too.
Watching her sister, Vivian Quinn couldn’t stop her tears. They stread down her face like a bursting dam.
"Sis, don’t be sad." Joy Chase offered a smile. "I don’t regret coming here one bit. Even if I were to die right here, I’d have no regrets."
"Joy, don’t say things like that. You’re not going to die," Vivian Quinn said comfortingly. "I’m just worried your body can’t handle this. You were exposed to the cold, and you’ll have to suffer the consequences once we’re back at the hospital."
"I’m used to it, Sis," Joy Chase said, unconcerned. "I’m so tired of being in the hospital. Sotis I think it would be a relief to just die. If I were dead, I wouldn’t have to be in the hospital anymore."
"Joy, you can’t think that way. The very reason you hate the hospital is why we have to try our best to leave it behind. And the way to do that is by getting better, not by dying." Vivian Quinn squeezed her hand. "Joy, you’re so young. You haven’t even seen the world yet. It would be such a waste to die now, do you understand?"
"But, Sis..." Joy Chase’s eyelids grew heavier and heavier. "I’m so, so tired..."
"Joy..."
Before Vivian Quinn could say anything more, Joy Chase’s eyes slowly closed, and her body slumped backward!
"Joy!"
...
By the ti the ambulance rushed Joy Chase to the hospital, she was already unconscious.
She was rushed into the ergency room, leaving a helpless Vivian Quinn shut outside.
"Vivian, don’t worry." Mason Landon stepped forward to comfort her. "Joy will be fine."
"Get away from !" Vivian Quinn’s composure suddenly shattered. "Mason Landon, why won’t you just leave alone? Will you only be happy once I lose Joy? I’m begging you, please, just stay far away from !"
"Vivian, you can’t treat like this." The pain in Mason Landon’s eyes began to show in visible cracks. "Loving you isn’t a cri."
"But I don’t love you!" Vivian Quinn scread through her tears. "Not in the past, not now, and not ever in the future! I could never love you! I will never love you as long as I live!"
Mason Landon froze in place. After a long mont, he let out a bitter laugh. "Vivian Quinn, you’re so cruel."
Vivian Quinn nodded forcefully. "That’s right. I’m the cruelest, most heartless person in the world. I’m not good enough for you. So can you get lost now?"
Mason Landon gave her a long, dark look, then turned and left without another word.
Vivian Quinn stumbled back two steps until she hit the wall. As if all her strength had been ripped away, she slowly slid down to the floor.
Jett Sterling wheeled himself over to her side. He said nothing, simply reaching out to stroke her hair.
Vivian Quinn buried her face in her hands, her soft sobs echoing in the silence...
...
The doors to the ergency room opened at five in the morning. An exhausted doctor erged. "Miss Quinn, Joy is out of imdiate danger for now, but her situation is still critical. We need to keep her in the ICU for observation."
Vivian Quinn’s fingertips trembled. "Doctor," she asked, "please, be honest with . How serious is it this ti?"
"This isn’t Joy’s first ti in the ICU, but this is the most critical her condition has ever been. I can only advise you to prepare yourself."
Vivian Quinn’s knees buckled, and she almost fainted.
"Miss Quinn!" The doctor steadied her. "I’m not trying to give you false comfort. I have to be honest with the family about the patient’s condition. For that, I am sorry."
"Thank you, Doctor." Vivian Quinn managed to stand firm and bowed to him. "We’ll have to rely on your hard work."
"It’s our duty."
Vivian Quinn didn’t dare leave the hospital, so Jett Sterling arranged for a premium private room for her to use as a place to rest. He also had Nanny Jenner bring a change of clothes so she could take a proper shower.
Vivian Quinn took a quick shower and changed. When she ca out of the bathroom, her steps were unsteady.
Jett Sterling was at the small table, arranging so food. "Vivian, co eat this bird’s nest soup, then get so proper sleep."
Vivian Quinn walked over. "I’ll eat, but I can’t sleep. What if sothing happens to Joy while I’m sleeping?"
"I’ve already arranged for soone to watch her around the clock. They’ll notify you the second anything happens." Jett Sterling took her hand. "Vivian, don’t put so much pressure on yourself. You have to eat and rest properly so you can be her rock."
Vivian Quinn sat down at the table, picked up the bowl and spoon, and began to chanically feed herself, one spoonful at a ti.
"Have so of this, too." Jett Sterling passed her so breakfast items. "Eat your fill and then sleep. I’ll stay here with you."
A fresh wave of sorrow washed over Vivian Quinn, and a tear splashed right into her bowl.
"Vivian." Jett Sterling reached out and stroked her hair. "Don’t be afraid."
Vivian Quinn sniffled, continued to eat the bird’s nest soup, and finished every last bite of food Jett Sterling gave her.
She was determined to stay awake, but for so reason, an overwhelming drowsiness washed over her in waves.
Unable to fight it off, Vivian Quinn slumped forward onto the table and fell asleep.
Jett Sterling glanced at Easton Rivers, who gave a slight nod before stepping outside to stand guard by the door.
The man rose from his wheelchair, lifted Vivian Quinn into his arms, and gently laid her on the bed.
He tucked the blanket around her, raised a hand to wipe a stray tear from the corner of her eye, and leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. "Vivian, I’m here. I’ll always be here..."
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