Chapter 280

Time seemed to crawl by, the hallway so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Finally, the emergency room door swung open, and a doctor stepped out.

"Who's here for the patient?" the doctor asked.

Irvin and Stanley both stepped forward at the same time, saying in unison, "I am!"

The doctor glanced at them, frowned slightly, and continued, "The patient has acute appendicitis and needs immediate surgery. Who's signing the consent form?"

Without missing a beat, Irvin said, "I'll sign."

Stanley opened his mouth as if to say something but then closed it, staying silent.

After a few more hours of waiting, Kaitlyn was wheeled out.

The doctor removed his mask and began explaining the situation to them.

"The anesthesia hasn't worn off yet, and given her medical history, she's pretty weak. She needs to rest and fully recover before doing anything strenuous."

"Got it!" Christina nodded, feeling a bit relieved deep down.

Thank goodness, it was just acute appendicitis.

Over two hours later, Kaitlyn finally woke up, seeing Irvin and Christina by her side.

She tried to sit up, but Irvin immediately pressed her back down onto the bed.

"You just had surgery, don't move around."

"Surgery? What happened to me?" Kaitlyn touched her stomach.

"Acute appendicitis," Irvin said seriously.

"Oh, I see." Kaitlyn smiled weakly. "I've always been a bit of a sickly person, had all sorts of illnesses."

Irvin looked at her gently. "Then you need to eat more and get stronger."

Kaitlyn smiled but didn't say anything.

Stanley suddenly spoke up.

"Kaitlyn, you need to get better soon."

Hearing his voice, Kaitlyn's smile froze.

"Why are you still here?"

Christina tried to smooth things over. "He's just here to apologize, nothing more."

This was also a reminder to Stanley.

Kaitlyn was sick now, so he shouldn't say anything inappropriate.

Stanley coughed. "Yes, I'm here to apologize."

"I've received your apology. You can go now." Kaitlyn waved her hand, not even wanting to look at him.

Christina walked to the door. "I'll see you out."

At this point, Stanley had no choice but to leave. He nodded reluctantly.

As they were about to leave the hospital, he looked at Christina earnestly. "Can you put in a good word for me with Kaitlyn?"

Christina smiled faintly. "I've said all I can. It's up to her now. I won't interfere in other people's matters."

Stanley suddenly blurted out, "Have you been bought off by Irvin too?"

"Don't be so extreme, okay?" Christina frowned. "It's Kaitlyn's decision to make."

"Sorry." Stanley took a deep breath and walked away.

When Christina returned, she briefly explained the situation.

Kaitlyn, lying in bed, sighed. "So annoying."

Irvin handed her a cup of warm water, half-jokingly saying, "Marry me, and he won't have anything to say."

Kaitlyn stiffened, feeling shy, and glanced at Christina.

"Christina's still here!"

Christina immediately raised her hand. "I didn't hear anything. You two carry on."

Irvin smiled and held her hand. "Kaitlyn, I don't know what you're worried about, but I'll take good care of you."

Kaitlyn mustered the courage to ask something but lost confidence and burrowed under the covers.

"I just had surgery. I want to rest."

Christina stayed with her until late before leaving. The next day, when she returned to the hospital, she found Irvin already there with lots of food.

"Kaitlyn, my mom made some porridge. It's really good. Want to try some?"

Kaitlyn sat up. "Your mom's cooking must be great. You didn't tell her I was sick, did you?"

"When I got home, she asked casually, and I just mentioned it." Irvin brought the porridge to her mouth.

Kaitlyn looked at his face, still not fully healed.

"Did she ask how you got hurt?"

Irvin nodded. "She did."

Kaitlyn's heart skipped a beat.

Irvin laughed. "Don't worry, I didn't tell on you. I said I was being a hero and chased off a robber."

Kaitlyn felt relieved.

"Good, I thought you couldn't lie."

Irvin chuckled. "What gave you that impression?"

"You just seem like a very upright person." Kaitlyn shrugged.

"Really?" Irvin suddenly leaned in, their eyes just inches apart. "I can be not so upright too."

Kaitlyn panicked and glanced at the door, seeing Christina standing there. "Christina, you're here? Why didn't you say anything?"

Christina, seeing their affectionate moment, had planned to leave quietly but was caught. She walked in awkwardly.

"Sorry to interrupt."

"No problem, you're not interrupting." Kaitlyn cleared her throat. "Christina, did you bring me something good to eat too?"

Irvin, feeling a bit awkward, scratched his nose. He didn't understand why Kaitlyn always seemed so evasive when this topic came up.

But with Christina there, he didn't want to ask.

Christina smiled, placing a thermos on the bedside table, her eyes shifting between them.

"Yes, I heard you just had surgery, so I made some fresh fruit juice and a bowl of steamed eggs, light and easy on the stomach."

Kaitlyn's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Christina. You're so thoughtful."

Irvin stepped back, giving Kaitlyn some space.

He smiled. "With so many people caring for you, you have to get better soon."

Kaitlyn pouted, picking up the steamed eggs and porridge, eating slowly.

Irvin poured some water.

Christina watched them, a smile on her face. "Looks like you have company. I'll leave now."

She gave Irvin a meaningful look and turned to leave.

Kaitlyn glanced at Irvin and quickly called out, "Christina, don't go. Stay and chat with me."

Christina stopped, smiling back. "You two chat. I won't intrude. Besides, I have to pick up my kids. I'll visit another day."

She nodded to Irvin and quickly left the room.