Chapter 10
Nellie's toes curled tightly, digging into the bed frame with everything she had. The red veins in her eyes looked like they were streaked with fresh blood. After the nurse hooked her up to an IV drip, she left Nellie to her thoughts. Nellie drifted in and out of sleep until late morning, finally waking up because of her hunger. Skipping breakfast had left her stomach growling and feeling like it was glued to her backbone.
Feeling ravenous, she grabbed her phone and ordered some food: chicken stew with mushrooms, plain porridge, and bread rolls. She felt like she could devour a whole cow.
Just after she placed her order, Cameron showed up unexpectedly. His eyes were a bit red, and there was a mix of something in his gaze that Nellie just couldn't place-maybe guilt? "Nellie, how about I send you abroad for a while?" he suggested.
Nellie was taken aback.
"Your presence is really affecting your sister's mood, and she needs to stay positive for her health. So, maybe you could go abroad for a bit. Once she's stable, I'll bring you back. How does that sound?"
Nellie stared at him in disbelief, the nurse's words still echoing in her mind. Suddenly, in a fit of anger, she hurled the humidifier from the bedside table at Cameron, but he dodged it with ease.
"Cameron, you're sickening. You try to have it both ways? If Greta's the one you love, then just divorce me and be with her."
Cameron, facing Nellie's meltdown, didn't get angry. Instead, he picked up the humidifier and pulled her into a hug.
"Nel, I know this is hard. Just this once, go along with it. When you come back, I promise I'll cut ties with her and be with you."
A wave of nausea hit Nellie, making her feel even sicker. She ended up vomiting all over Cameron, shouting in fury, "You make me sick. Get out. I don't want to see you."
Cameron only held her even tighter, letting out a sigh. "Nel, are you jealous? I know you love me, but Greta's your sister. You wouldn't want anything to happen to her, right?" Overcome with emotion, Nellie couldn't string a sentence together. "Just go... please. I don't want to see you..."
Cameron eventually let her go, saying, "Nellie, trust me, I won't abandon you. Think of going abroad as a little getaway. It'll be three months tops, and then I'll bring you home."
"Leave!" Nellie shouted at the top of her lungs, spewing bile and acid on Cameron's face. He left, looking defeated.
Nellie collapsed back onto the bed, feeling drained, like she'd just been through a grueling battle, nearly faint from exhaustion.
In the hallway, Cameron spoke with the doctor. "Nellie's been vomiting a lot. What's going on?"
The doctor replied, "She's got a cold, and the stress these days might have aggravated her stomach. Vomiting is common in such cases. Mr. Dawson, make sure she eats her meals regularly and in proper portions..." Cameron, reminded by the doctor, realized he'd forgotten to get Nellie breakfast. But wasn't it almost lunchtime now?
A pang of guilt hit him. As Nellie's husband, he really hadn't been doing his part. He silently promised to make it up to Nellie once Greta's situation was sorted out.
Cameron quickened his pace to get Nellie some food, only to bump into a delivery guy on the way. He watched as the delivery guy, carrying a feast, headed straight into Nellie's room.