Darian immediately bent down and lifted Serena's body with concern, then gently laid her on the sofa.
"Serena! Serena, wake up!"
he cried out in panic.
Serena's face was pale, cold sweat covered her forehead. Her body felt burning hot, and her breathing was heavy and irregular.
"Quick, call the nurse!"
Elena said urgently, her voice trembling between panic and worry.
Darian ran out of the room to call for help. Moments later, two nurses arrived with a doctor, pushing a gurney.
"Lay her down here!"
the doctor instructed, while checking Serena's pulse and blood pressure.
Elena stood frozen in the corner of the room, her body shaking. She had just received news that she was allowed to go home, and now she had to witness her own daughter lying unconscious. Her emotions were in turmoil—worry, fear, and sadness all blending into one.
"We're taking her to the ER. Ma'am, please stay calm,"
one of the nurses said gently.
Elena could only nod slowly, holding back the tears that were threatening to fall. Darian stood beside her, gripping her shoulder tightly, trying to offer strength even though his own heart was filled with anxiety.
---
In the emergency room, Serena lay with an IV in her arm. The monitor next to her displayed a steady but slow heartbeat.
The doctor was still reviewing the initial observations outside the room, while Elena and Darian waited in silence. Time seemed to move slowly, and the quiet hung heavy in the air.
"You should get some rest in your room. You just recovered. Let me stay here,"
Darian said, worried that Elena might fall ill again.
Elena shook her head slowly.
"I'll wait here,"
she said firmly, though her voice was full of worry.
Darian simply nodded and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, quietly keeping her company.
Elena took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Her eyes didn't leave the ER door, as if she could see through it to check on her daughter's condition.
A while later, the doctor came out. Elena and Darian immediately approached him with hurried steps.
"How is she, Doctor?"
Elena asked, her voice trembling.
"Serena had a high fever caused by severe physical and mental exhaustion. Her blood pressure dropped significantly. Fortunately, there's no sign of organ failure so far, but we'll need to continue monitoring her. Most likely, it's due to stress and lack of sleep,"
the doctor explained calmly.
Elena nodded slowly. There was a hint of relief, but her face was still clouded with concern.
"May I see her?"
"Of course, but just for a short while. She needs plenty of rest."
---
Elena entered the room. Serena was fast asleep, her face pale, and her breathing soft. The IV was still attached to her hand.
Elena sat by the bedside, gently holding her daughter's hand. Her eyes welled with tears as she looked at Serena in that state.
"Serena… if something's bothering you, please don't keep it to yourself. Mom's always here for you, always ready to help," Elena whispered, her voice trembling.
From outside the room, Darian watched through the glass, bowing his head. His heart ached, witnessing Elena's sorrow and Serena's condition.
A moment later, Darian stepped away from the ER. He stood frozen in the quiet hospital hallway. His gaze was distant, his expression cold and serious. Whatever was going through his mind, it was clear that something inside him had begun to stir.
---
Slowly, Serena opened her eyes. She looked around, confused, her vision blurry.
"You're awake?"
a nurse said gently beside her.
Serena turned her head slowly, her eyes full of questions. The nurse smiled, as if understanding her confusion.
"You had a high fever last night and fainted. You're in the ER now,"
the nurse explained.
"Oh…" Serena replied softly. "This is...?"
"You'll be moved to a regular room soon," the nurse added.
After thanking the nurse, Serena took a deep breath. No wonder her head had felt heavy yesterday. It turned out her body had really reached its limit.
Not long after, a doctor came in to examine her. Once he confirmed that her condition had stabilized and there were no serious complications, she was transferred to a regular room.
As she entered the new room, Serena immediately saw her mother and Darian waiting for her. Elena's face was still filled with worry, and a pang of guilt crept into Serena's heart.
"Are you hungry?" Elena asked gently.
Serena shook her head.
"Are you okay now, Mom?"
she asked in return.
Elena wanted to scold her daughter for worrying about her mother's health while she herself was still sick. But seeing Serena's weak face, she held back her frustration.
"I'm fine now. You're the one who needs to take care of your health. Don't make me worry again,"
Elena said, half-scolding.
"Okay…" Serena replied softly.
"What do you want to eat?"
Darian asked next.
"I'm not hungry…"
"You need to eat something. How are you going to get better if you don't eat?"
Darian snapped.
Feeling annoyed at being scolded while still weak, Serena pulled the blanket over her face.
"Hey!" Darian protested.
"Enough, enough…"
Elena said, trying to calm the situation.
Darian sat on the sofa, letting out an irritated sigh. He knew sick people often didn't have an appetite, but his anxiety made him overbearing. He just wanted Serena to recover quickly.
"Mom,"
Serena called out after a long silence.
"Yes, dear?"
"Go home and rest. You just recovered, I don't want you to get sick again,"
Serena said, looking at her mother.
"I'm fine," Elena refused quickly.
"Mom…" Serena pleaded, "Please…"
"But who's going to take care of you?"
"It's just a fever. I'll be fine by tomorrow," Serena replied, trying to reassure her.
"How do you know you'll be better tomorrow?"
Elena challenged her.
Serena let out a deep sigh. She finally realized that her own stubbornness was inherited from her mother.
Darian watched the mother-daughter argument quietly. He didn't want to get involved—not because he was afraid of Elena (well, maybe just a little)—but he knew better than to interfere when two strong-willed women were having a moment.
Serena and Elena stared at each other. Neither wanted to back down.
"I'll ask Iril," Serena suddenly said.
"What?" Elena frowned, confused.
"Iril will stay here with me,"
Serena explained.
"Don't lie," Elena said, still not convinced.
For the umpteenth time, Serena sighed.
"My phone?"
Darian immediately fetched Serena's phone. She called Iril.
"Hey, S!"
Iril greeted cheerfully from the other end.
"Can you come watch over me at the hospital today?"
Serena got straight to the point.
"You're sick? What happened? Okay, I'll be there now! Send me the address and room number!"
Iril replied, sounding panicked.
"Ok."
Serena ended the call and sent Iril the address and room number. Then she showed the conversation to Elena as proof that she wasn't lying.
"Problem solved. Now go home and rest," Serena said firmly.
"I'll leave once Iril gets here,"
Elena replied, refusing to give in.
Serena pulled the blanket over her face again. She was too tired to argue with her mother, who was just as stubborn as she was.
Darian let out a small smile at Serena's expression. Deep down, he knew they loved each other deeply—even if that love sometimes came wrapped in bickering and exhaustion.
---