116 Family

That night, Midori noted that her husband did not make his usual evening call. The following morning, her brother arrived.

Since she was informed that he will be coming, she wore loose-fitting clothes to hide her small bump.

Aoi Xiu will not say anything about her daughter's pregnancy. For her, it would be Midori's decision. At the same time, it would also be her fault. After all, it is between siblings.

Midori kept on dialling Dan when her brother excused himself to play with Manta at the lanai. When she finally got through, Dan's voice was hoarse.

"Hello?"

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Did you catch a cold?"

On the other side, Dan realized that he had not called her the night before.

"Sorry for not calling you last night, Darling. I'm still at the hospital."

"Hospital?!" Midori's voice was full of worry.

"Hey, it's not me. It's..." he stopped himself. He deliberated for awhile how much to disclose.

Midori sighed hearing that the patient is not her husband. However, since he could not continue, she became worried again. "Who is it? Hey, are you still there? Is something wrong with your dad?"

"No, no. Dad is fine. It's...my assistant. She had a vehicular accident." He finished his thoughts in a breath. He decided that it would be bad for her if she keeps worrying by speculating.

"Oh my God! Is Michelle okay now? Is Riley with her?!"

Just then, Masaichi Xiu came into the hallway to make his trip to the restroom.

Midori turned and glared at him as if he was the most despicable person in the world.

On the phone, Dan answered, "Riley was injured too, but it was less severe. He was driving when it happened. He refused to be thoroughly evaluated until Michelle becomes stable. She is still under operation."

Midori confronted her brother, giving him a push with one hand. "You cold, heartless man! Did they remove your heart when they saved you?! How could you continue to travel when your assistant just figured a car accident?!"

Masaichi did not say anything. For him, it would be better if she thought that way.

"My son needs me. I went according to schedule. We were brought up to always prioritize family." He monotonously explained.

"Riley has been with you since the beginning! Now, you won't even put some effort to help him?!"

"Secretary Ta is there."

"Not the money, you idi*t!" Midori was fuming mad. She decided to walk away before shemakes the wrong move and hurt her baby.

_______________

At the hospital, the attending surgeon declared that the patient was stable. Afterwards, a group of doctors emerged from the operating room.

Michelle needed several surgeries and was referred to orthopedics, thoracic surgery, urology, and gynecology. She had transfusions of a total of 5 units for red cells and 3 units of plasma. Her external blood loss was massive and the internal bleeding was also hard to contain.

Riley subconsciously stood up, teary-eyed. The attending doctor asked him for a private discussion.

Riley sat down facing the doctor in a small clinic. The kind surgeon offered him some water.

He gulped and swallowed a sip as he became sullen for the possible bad news.

The middle-aged doctor spoke. "Your wife had a fractured left hip, wherein the bones splintered into her abdomen, damaging parts of her bowels and one of her ovaries. We needed to repair the affected organs. However, we could not save the affected ovary. I saw from the information you provided that you don't have kids yet. I believe that after recovery, it would be difficult for her to have children. Also, the recovery would take some time. We're talking about years here. She will be needing rehabilitation. I would like you to be prepared on caring for her needs and understanding her limitations." His voice was certain but gentle.

Riley nodded. He nodded way too much, as if contemplating than agreeing. He remembered her parents. They would want grandkids once they get married. They had just been shocked by the news of their marriage. Now, they will get the news that their daughter might not be able to bear a child.

If it was just him, he would be fine even if they would not have kids. However, he knew Michelle would be devastated. She had told him that she would want a family of their own in the near future.

"I will give you time to think things through." The doctor stood up and left him alone.