Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother - Chapter 209

Chapter 209: The Woman Chapter 209: The Woman Natalie was led into the operating room, and Justin was prepared to accompany her once he had changed into hospital clothes, matching those of the doctors and nurses.

Lying on the operating table, she glanced at him.

He stood nearby, offering her an assuring gaze from across the room.

As she was turned onto her side and the doctors began their work, Justin stayed where she could see him.

His presence seemed more effective than the anaesthesia in calming her nerves, allowing her to focus on him rather than the procedure.

As she continued to look at him, her mind started to dream something, which was more pleasant that her lips curved into a pleasant smile.

She forgot being operated by doctors and lost herself in the imaginary world that was being played in her mind under the influence of the drugs.  The procedure lasted over an hour.

Once it was complete, Natalie was moved to the recovery room, where she rested while Justin stayed by her side.

It was as though he couldn’t risk letting her out of his sight, even though he knew there was nothing to worry about.

After the doctor confirmed everything was fine, Natalie was taken back to the VIP suite.

The doctor informed her, “You may feel pain and discomfort at the procedure site for a few days, or possibly a week, but there’s no need to worry.

You’ll be able to walk and move around, but we recommend you rest for at least two weeks for a better recovery.” Natalie nodded, and the doctor left.

Justin approached her bedside.

“Do you feel better?

Any discomfort?” She shook her head, signalling she was fine.

“Close your eyes and rest,” he said, gently adjusting the blanket over her.

Just as he was about to step away, she reached out and held his hand.

He turned back to look at her, meeting her tired gaze.

Without hesitation, Justin pulled a chair closer to her bed and sat down, letting her hold onto his hand.

With his other hand, he gently caressed hers.

“I’m not going anywhere.

Sleep now,” he said softly.

Natalie closed her eyes, comforted by his presence.

Hospitals had always unsettled her, but being alone in one frightened her most of all.

With Justin by her side, she could finally relax.

—— Late in the night, Natalie woke up and found Justin was not by her side.

She looked around the room and just then a nurse entered the door.  “Are you awake, Ms Natalie?” the nurse asked softly.  Instead of replying, Natalie asked in a weak voice, “Where is the person who was with me?” “Umm, I am not sure,” the nurse replied as she removed the IV drip attached to Natalie’s hand.

She observed Natalie’s worried expressions and said.

“Don’t worry.

He must be somewhere nearby.

He sat with you for a long time, so he probably stepped out for some fresh air.” Natalie kept quiet and heard the nurse again, “The IV drip for the night is done.

I’ll give you the next one in the morning.

Try to get some rest.

If I see your companion, I’ll send him back to you.” Natalie nodded quietly and watched as the nurse left the room.

Just as the door closed, she overheard the conversation in the hallway.

“Why are you in so much hurry,” the nurse, who left Natalie, was asking someone.  “Don’t even ask,” another nurse sighed.

“The patient we’re supposed to prepare for the bone marrow transfer for tomorrow is so stubborn.

She’s fortunate to have found a match, given her rare blood type, but she refuses to get treated.

She caused a scene with her family just now, then collapsed, and had to be rushed to the emergency room.

Thankfully, she’s stable now, but dealing with her is such a challenge.

These VIP patients can really be troublesome sometimes.” “Good to know she’s fine.

I won’t hold you back.

Go back to your work,” the first nurse said.

“Yes.

Her tests must have been done by now.

I have to take her back to her room.

She even refuses to get on the stretcher, so we’ll have to use a wheelchair.

I’m heading there now,” the other nurse replied in a hurry.

“Alright, go ahead.” Natalie, who had been listening to the conversation, grew increasingly alert.

A woman with a rare blood type?

Bone marrow transfer tomorrow?

It didn’t take her long to realize they were talking about the patient she had donated her bone marrow for.

“She’s being transferred back to her room?” Natalie thought to herself.

“The nurses on the VIP floor are supposed to work exclusively on this floor.

If that nurse is here, then the patient must be on this floor as well.” Determined to confirm her suspicions, Natalie slowly sat up in bed despite feeling weak.

She pushed the blanket aside, slipped on the hospital-provided slippers, and cautiously made her way to the door.

A man in the suit was present outside.

The moment he saw Natalie, he was alerted.  “Ms Natalie….” “I am tired of lying on the bed.

I am going to walk for a while,” Natalie interrupted firmly, her voice steady despite the lingering fatigue.

“But, you should not…” “I’ve donated my bone marrow as your boss requested.

You have no use for me anymore, even if I were to die.

So don’t even think about stopping me or following me,” Natalie said coldly.

“In this state, I can’t even run away, so stay where you are.

I want peace.” Without waiting for a reply, she walked ahead.

The man in the suit didn’t stop her but chose to follow at a discreet distance, pulling out his phone to send a quick message to Leo about the situation.

They had all been instructed that this woman was of the utmost importance and under no circumstances was she to be harmed or disrespected.

Natalie walked slowly down the empty, highly secured hallway.

The other men stationed nearby glanced toward the one following her, who gave them a signal to stay put.

As Natalie moved forward, her sharp gaze took in every detail of her surroundings like a hawk.

She was determined to find the woman whose presence was kept in such secrecy.

Eventually, she reached a turn where the corridor branched off toward the other wing of the expansive VIP floor.

Just as she rounded the corner, she heard muffled voices and soft movements.

Walking further, she spotted two nurses and a doctor assisting a woman in a wheelchair near the elevator doors.

Is this woman not on this floor?

Where are they taking her?

Natalie thought as she walked forward, hoping to catch a glimpse of the woman’s face, though one of the nurses blocked her view.

The elevator arrived with a soft chime.

The male nurse holding the wheelchair adjusted his grip and turned it around to drag it into the elevator more easily.

This movement brought the woman in the wheelchair to face forward, revealing her features.

Her eyes were closed, her brows furrowed and she appeared pale but serene.

The moment Natalie saw the woman’s face, her breath hitched, and her eyes widened in shock.

She shook her head, trying to convince herself that her vision was playing tricks on her-but it wasn’t.

The face before her was unmistakable, etched into her memory like a vivid photograph.

It was someone she knew closely.

Natalie stood frozen in place, her mind reeling, as if the world around her had come to a grinding halt.

Time slowed, and she could only stare as the elevator doors began to close, obscuring the woman from view.

“Mother…” she whispered, her voice barely audible, a tremble of disbelief and emotion breaking through the silence.