Chapter 448: Stuart's care

Nobody had left the hospital, even though more than three hours had passed since Joshua's surgery. Although Joshua had not stopped bleeding, it was not as critical as before. His bleeding had slowed down, much to everyone's happiness. Ivy had not moved away from her spot, waiting outside the ICU where Joshua was being treated. She stared at the man from the glass pane, taking in his pale, unconscious form.

"Please wake up, Joshua. Please." She begged, hoping for the man to hear her pleas. "I love you so much. Please wake up soon. I will never hurt you again. I am sorry for everything. I promise I will be obedient from now on. Please, baby. Please wake up." She continued to stand outside, watching Ian take of her man.

When Joshua had been shifted to the ICU after the surgery, Ian had taken over his friend's case, studying it thoroughly. Though Aria and Stuart had done a great job, he still wanted to make sure his friend was fine and had received the best treatment. So, he had not left the man's side even for a second.

Meanwhile, Stuart, who had been surprised by the turn of events, watched Ivy cry her heart out outside the ICU. Although he had no idea who she was, he could not bear to see her cry. Moreover, he knew that she was related to Noah, for she had been with the group when Aria had reported to them Joshua's condition.

There was nobody around, and Stuart frowned seeing her stand alone in the corridor. Unable to stop himself any longer, he retrieved a bottle of water and stood by her side. "Excuse me, Miss."

Ivy was too lost gazing at Joshua to hear Stuart's voice. Seeing her not responding, he followed her line and sighed seeing what the girl was looking at. Her tears were still rolling down her face, and Stuart did not know how to pacify the girl. He held the bottle of water before Ivy, obstructing her view, and Ivy frowned at the sudden disturbance. 

Her head snapped to see who it was, only to find an unfamiliar man in front of her. She glared at him, her annoyance getting the best of her. But Stuart remained unperturbed. He shrugged at her, showing her that he was unaffected. "Miss, if you are going to stand here all day, I recommend you to eat something."

"I have already eaten," Ivy stated, stopping Stuart from speaking further. She remembered how Ian had forced her and Noah to eat while they waited outside the operation theater. Even though neither of them was willing, they had to eat to stay strong once the operation ended. Ian had almost threatened them, and only then, the duo had unwillingly eaten the food Ronnie had brought for them. Who knew how long the surgery would go?

"That's great, then. You must be tired from standing. Have some water at least." He held the bottle in front of her, and Ivy gritted her teeth in frustration. 

"Look, Mister...." She started, only to stop when Stuart held his palm at her.

"Look, Miss. I understand the predicament you are in. It is painful to see someone close to you fighting a battle of life and death. But that does not mean you ignore your health and decide to end up just like him." Stuart did not stop even though he saw the girl's obvious intent to kill him. "He will get up soon, and I assure you about it."

Stuart was not making any hopeless promises. He had operated on Joshua, and he knew what exactly was Joshua's condition. So, he was confident that the man would make it out alive, though nobody knew how long it would take for him to wake up. "Stay strong, and be positive. I am certain the man would not like to see you putting your health at risk. Am I right?" His words had the effect he wanted, and Ivy's face softened, her gaze shifting to the man inside the ICU.

"Will he wake up soon?"

"Definitely. He will, and why won't he when he has a lot of people waiting for him?"

"You are right. Joshua will wake up, and he has to. He cannot leave me this way. And I trust my sister. I am sure she will not allow anything to happen to him." Ivy's words confused Stuart before the realization hit him.

"Are you Aria's sister?"

"Yes." Ivy gave a monotonous reply, and Stuart smiled, staring at the woman before him. Just as he expected, the girl was just like Aria, stubborn but strong.

"In that case, you better drink some water. I don't want your sister coming after me if something were to happen to you. I am sure she wants you healthy when your man wakes up." Stuart teased, and Ivy's lips cracked into a smile. He had not missed the way Ivy was staring at the man inside the ICU, her eyes filled with love for him. He shook his head, pitying the girl's state. 'It won't last long.' He thought to himself and lifted the bottle, almost pushing it into Ivy's hands.

Reluctantly, she took the bottle of water from Stuart and took a sip, smiling at him gratefully. "And, Miss. You look tired. Maybe you can sit for some time. I am sure your guy would not mind you taking some rest." Ivy's smiled widened, and she nodded at him.

Meanwhile, Ian had seen everything that was happening outside the ward. Although he could not hear them, he saw how Ivy had been standing for a long time, her eyes not moving away from Joshua. She was clearly not caring about herself, and Ian had the sudden urge to reprimand her foolishness. However, he stopped when he noticed Stuart talking to her, and after some time, the girl had taken the bottle of water from him.

"Did you see that Joshua?" Ian stared at the duo outside the ward. "Someone is trying to woo your girl. Are you going to allow such a thing to happen?" He stated, hoping his words would wake the man up, even though he knew it would not be happening any time soon. 

Joshua had responded positively to Aria's treatment. But that did not mean he was out of danger. He was still in a critical state until he gained consciousness. Ian knew that his friend would make it out soon, and he had to. "Get up, and take care of Ivy. Otherwise, other men might sweep her off her feet. And I am sure you do not want that to happen. Moreover," Ian's looked at the unconscious man, his face turning gloomy at once. "I miss you pulling my leg. Get up, and get back to work. Or else..."

Ian could not continue any longer, and he blinked hard trying to stop his tears. "I will not be talking to you ever."