Chapter 197

Chapter 197 Nancy’s Calls Nicholas awoke in the hospital.

His injuries were serious, but thankfully, there were no internal injuries, only non-lethal external wounds. With the doctor’s treatment and the best medication, his condition improved significantly after two nights of rest.

However, his upper body was still wrapped in layers of bandages, giving him a somewhat scary appearance.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Madelline leaning over beside him. Nicholas gently moved his fingers, and Madelline immediately woke up.

Seeing him awake, Madelline was overjoyed. “Nicholas, you’re awake? You’re really awake? I didn’t see wrong, did I?”

“I’m fine, don’t worry.”

After saying this, Nicholas thought of the events of that day and felt a heavy sense of guilt. Those scenes were so real that they almost suffocated him.

He had to admit that he was able to come back from there alive this time because of her.

It was her sacrifice that saved his life..

“Madelline, you... How are you?”

Nicholas couldn’t finish his words, but Madelline quickly reached out and covered his mouth. “Nicholas, don’t speak. Don’t say anything. To save you, no matter what I have to give up, I think it’s worth it. It’s not just this. Even if they wanted my life, I’d give it up for you. As long as you’re alive, it’s enough for me.”

Tears streamed down her face as soon as she finished speaking.

Nicholas looked at her, feeling a slight heartache. After all, they were once closest to each other. But what he felt more was sympathy and guilt. It was a deep guilt, like threads, tightly entwining his heart.

If he could, he would rather have perished in that night instead of her using that kind of method to save him.

“I’m sorry, Madelline. You did all this to save me.”

Madelline shook her head desperately. “No, Nicholas, don’t say that. I did all this willingly, and besides, if you died, they wouldn’t let me go either.”

“But I’m not worth it, and you shouldn’t have saved me. You know, instead of seeing you like this, I’d rather have died there.”

“No, Nicholas. I love you so much. How could I just watch you die? If you die, what meaning would my life have?”

The more she spoke, the more agitated she became. Suddenly, she threw herself into his arms.

As her movements were abrupt and a bit too rough, she hit his wound, causing him to grunt in pain.

Madelline immediately looked at him nervously. “I’m sorry, Nicholas, I didn’t mean to do that. How are you? Are you okay? Do you want me to call the doctor?”

“No need.” Nicholas shook his head.

Madelline eased up this time. She turned to the side and leaned her head against his chest.

Listening to his heartbeat, she gently spoke. “Nicholas, you don’t need to blame yourself or feel burdened. I told you I did all this willingly. I ask for very little. As long as you’re alive, I have no other requests.”

As she said these words, a victorious smile played at the corner of her mouth.

Deep down in her heart, she felt great satisfaction.

After all, she had spent a year with Nicholas.

She had some understanding of him. No matter if he still loved her or not, he wouldn’t be indifferent to her.

Even if she comforted him a thousand times or ten thousand times, telling him not to blame himself, he would still blame himself.

As long as she held onto this guilt of his, she could achieve whatever she desired.

“Nancy, just wait, I won’t let you have what you want. I’ve said it before, I’ll never let you be with Nicholas.”

However, Madelline didn’t anticipate that Nicholas would extend his hand and push her away.

“Nicholas, what’s wrong?”

Seeing him push her aside, Madelline asked in bewilderment.

“Madelline, I appreciate what you’ve done. Thank you for saving me and for your sacrifices. Apart from anything related to me, I can compensate you with whatever you want.”

Almost immediately, Madelline understood the hidden meaning behind Nicholas’ words.

She bit her lip and promptly responded, “Nicholas, I don’t want to discuss these matters right now. We can talk about them later. Your health is the most important thing at the moment. Focus on recovering, and we can deal with everything else in due time.”

“Madelline...”

Nicholas wanted to continue speaking. But suddenly, his phone rang.

He glanced at it. It was Nancy calling.

A rush of tenderness surged through him, and he was about to answer right away.

But then he remembered he was still in the hospital, covered in bandages. He sadly put the phone down.

Now, he looked dreadful, and he didn’t want Nancy to see him like this. He always wanted to present his best self to her.

Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to decline the call.

The phone continued to ring.

“Is it Nancy calling? Why don’t you answer? You’re injured now; she must be worried about you,” Madelline sympathetically suggested while biting her lip.

“I don’t want her to see me like this or to worry about me,” Nicholas replied.

Madelline bit her lip even harder. If she didn’t control herself, she might have even drawn blood.

“Ha... He doesn’t want Nancy to worry. Does he love and care for that woman so much? Nicholas, I was the one who saved you.

How can you be so cruel to me? You didn’t even show concern for me. Your heart is filled only with that woman. Where does that leave me?”

One missed call ended, followed by the second and the third...

It continued until the fifth call, when his phone finally returned to silence.

Picking up the phone, he was met with over a hundred missed calls. His heart felt like it was being torn apart.

“With so many missed calls, Nancy must be heartbroken and worried sick.”

“She must be so anxious. She’s been trying to reach me for two whole days.”

Suddenly, Nicholas noticed another important piece of information.

Looking at the date, he stared fixedly at it. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it.

“What’s today’s date?” he asked Madelline, his voice suddenly rising.

“It’s the 18th. Why?”

“The 18th? I’ve been unconscious here for two days?”

As he asked this, his body suddenly went limp, and he leaned heavily against the bed. It was as if all the strength had been drained from him.

No wonder Nancy had called him over a hundred times.

It had been more than two days, nearly three full days had elapsed, and Nancy still hadn’t been able to contact him. She must be extremely worried.

Upon realizing this, Nicholas couldn’t endure it any longer. He immediately threw off the covers and rose to depart.