SWNOVELS Chapter 414: Awakening
Meredith rushed to the hospital, a route she had taken many times before. Yet today, it seemed particularly lengthy, as if she would never arrive. She did not bring Selene along this time, giving her a day off; instead, Linda drove and accompanied her.
Upon reaching the hospital, Linda went to park the car while Meredith hurried toward the Intensive Care Unit. By chance, she encountered Dr. Harrington just as he finished his rounds, coming out of Bianca's ICU room. "Dr. Harrington," Meredith approached him urgently. "How is the patient doing?"
She almost said "my mother" but corrected herself at the last moment. To outsiders, Joy Chaucer was Bianca's daughter, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to use such a term.
"She's still in a coma," Dr. Harrington replied. "At this point, only a miracle could bring her back, or perhaps a significant stimulus that might awaken her."
He continued, "The patient's organs are failing, and the failure is irreversible. We've done all we could. It's odd, really. She had a check-up not long ago with no major issues. It's strange how her condition deteriorated so rapidly." Meredith remembered that check-up; she had been at Angelica Hospital for a prenatal appointment and had seen Bianca there. It had only been three or four months, and Bianca hadn't shown any signs of illness before this. "Dr. Harrington, under what circumstances can someone's health worsen so drastically in such a short time?" Meredith asked. "She has always been conscientious about her health. Could it be... poisoning?"
Dr. Harrington shook his head. "We didn't find any toxins in her system, so poisoning is unlikely. However, rapid health decline can occur from extreme physical overexertion, like staying up late, long-term unhealthy diet, high work stress, and irregular living habits."
Bianca wouldn't have indulged in unhealthy food or irregular habits, and she wasn't heavily involved in social engagements. Meredith was puzzled by the sudden illness.
"Thank you, Dr. Harrington, for your efforts," Meredith said. "May I visit her?"
"Of course," Dr. Harrington acknowledged, recognizing Meredith. "Just keep it brief."
"Thank you." Grateful, Meredith donned a sterile suit and entered the room.
As she stepped in, the familiar scent brought tears to her eyes. Her mother had always been there, after all.
With heavy steps, Meredith approached Bianca's bed, her heart aching at the sight of her weakened and critical condition. She couldn't help but grasp Bianca's hand, crying out, "Mom, Mom, open your eyes and look at me. I'm Meredith, your real daughter. I've always been right here. Ever since I can remember, I've wondered about my parents-what they looked like and why they left me. But, I never imagined that my real mother was always right beside me. We've missed so many years together. You have to wake up and hear me call you 'Mom.""
Despite her pleas, Bianca showed no response, and Meredith's tears flowed freely as she stared at her mother.
"Mom, do you know? In the orphanage, I envied other kids who had parents to love them, to comfort them when they cried, and to protect them when they were bullied," Meredith choked out. "Mom, please wake up. Look at me. Give me a chance to be pampered by you. I long for your embrace, to feel the warmth of a mother's love, to be a child who has a mother's affection, to have the chance to honor you."
Her tears dropped onto Bianca's hand, one after another...
Suddenly, Bianca's eyes moved. Meredith noticed and, thrilled, clutched her hand tighter. "Mom, Mom, can you hear me? Open your eyes and look at me. I'm Meredith, your daughter. I've had a DNA test; I really am your daughter." Perhaps it was a mother-daughter connection, but as Meredith spoke, Bianca's fingers twitched and her eyes slowly opened.