Dylan stared at Chelsea speechlessly. He thought he didn't hear right at first but taking his eyes down to her hands, she was already holding them out, a gesture that she had indeed made the statement, offering her blood for Derek. He walked briskly towards her and grabbed her hand, leading her out of the room. "What did you say in there?" he asked for confirmation. She gently walked away few steps from him and exhaled. Then she turned around. "I said I'm donating my blood for Derek. I'm an O, a universal donor. So my blood is bound to work. His body won't reject it. I'm sure of it" she said, conviction clearer in her voice this time. He was mute. She gently walked towards him and reached for his shoulder. She tapped it and smiled. "It's okay. My blood is clean" she chuckled. He chuckled right back but half-heartedly. "No, it's not that. I'm was already sure that you're clean a long time ago. It's you wanting to donate your blood for Derek. Why?" he asked, looking at her. S
Dylan walked out of the curtains and saw the medical professionals standing outside. Chelsea and the doctor had also returned and were standing with them. "Did I keep you waiting?" he asked. "Sorry about that" he added apologetically. The doctor chuckled. "No, Mr. Cross. It was a well deserved father and son moment. I understand the situation" he smiled. Dylan smiled as well. "We'll now commence the operation. Please stand outside in the meantime. Just name whatever you need while waiting and it will be brought to you, Mr. Cross" the doctor said. "Thank you, doctor" he replied and walked towards Chelsea. They both left the room and the doors were shut. "How did it go?" Dylan asked as they found their way to a row of chairs just outside the operating room. Chelsea could sense the hurry in his voice. As expected, his fatherly instincts had fully kicked in. He was eager to get the whole thing over with and be reunited with his son in full consciousness. How adorable. Who know the
"What?" Dylan rushed at the doctor. He grabbed him by the collar. "What did you say?" he hollered. "Dylan!" Joyce called but Chelsea held her back. The doctor struggled with his clothes and tapped Dylan's shoulder. "He's alright. Master Derek is alright" he struggled to say and Dylan finally released him. "Why then did you start with an apology?" Dylan asked, still having mixed feelings. The doctor exhaled deeply. "I wanted to inform you that I'm sorry the anesthetic we gave him is still in effect and he's a bit unconscious. But the operation was successful and he's doing alright. His body accepted the blood and didn't fight it. He should be awake and kicking in a few hours" the doctor reported amidst heavy pants of breath. "Oh, sorry for my reaction, doctor. Don't play with me like that" Dylan apologised and patted the doctor on his shoulders. The doctor nodded. "I should've known better than to start with an apology. Especially to someone like you" he said and a they all
Joyce and Chelsea walked into the room and the medical professionals who still remained in the room excused them and left the room. After she was sure that they were alone, Joyce took the lead and walked to the curtains. She parted them and walked in. She immediately became emotional as her eyes fell on Derek laying there unconscious. She sniffled gently as she approached the bed. Chelsea completely understood her feelings. He was her favourite person at the house back when they all stayed together. He was her only grandchild. And then they got separated. She hadn't seen him in a long time and must have greatly missed him. Only for her first reunion with him to be one where he was unconscious and just suffered from an accident. It must be very hard for her, she thought. She allowed the elderly woman some moments to be alone with her grandson and pour out her emotions. Chelsea stayed outside the curtains, waiting for either Joyce to come out or for Dylan to come in. After all, she di
Joyce was a bit shocked. Not that she didn't expect him to say something like this. Of course, any father would do so after the mother displayed such a level of incompetence. What she didn't expect was for Dylan to decide to take Derek home immediately. "But, he's still unconscious, Dylan" she protested, walking gently towards him. "That's even the more reason we should take him home now. When he wakes up, he wouldn't find himself in a hospital, which is depressing enough, and also having to see his failure of a mother. I can only imagine how much he must detest her. "I'm not letting my son see such a woman at such a crucial time of his life. He needs all the reassuring signs of love he can get and that is only possible at our home in Cross Estate, his rightful home" he finally concluded. Chelsea saw his point of view. But she was concerned about the wellbeing of Derek. "But moving him in his state, don't you think it'll be a bit risky?" she asked. Dylan turned to her and smile
Chelsea had never seen someone so authoritative and defiant as the woman before her. As Joyce had rightly said, Clara was a crazy woman indeed. She had no respect whatsoever for Joyce's age or position. She simply spoke to her like they were mates, or worse, like she owned Joyce. "I said, where is my son?" she asked again, her tone becoming more impatient and infuriating. "Madam, please can you lower your tone? You'll disturb the patients in other rooms" one of the hospital's security personnel said to her. She turned around sharply and shot the man a mean stare. "Don't you dare open your mouth to utter a word while I'm talking. I can wreck your life in less than a minute. All it'll take is one call" she said in a threatening tone. Joyce chuckled. "You still haven't changed, have you, Clara?" she asked rhetorically. "Still being boss, still threatening, still thinking you can pull all the strings you want. You think of yourself as the princess of Miami" she added with a sad smile
Clara turned back and smiled. "I see someone still hasn't changed a bit. You still have that murderous, monstrous personality inside you. The same personality that cost you your son in the first place. You're still the same, Dylan. I'm sure you remember how this went down the previous time?" she asked in a taunting tone. Dylan's expression and gaze didn't change a bit. It was clear that Clara's words had no effect on him. "I hope you also remember what happened to your lover the last time you saw me like this. The only difference is that this time, you'll be the one on the receiving end, not another lover" he said, his tone as grave and serious as previously. Clara scoffed. "Are you threatening my life, Dylan?" she asked. Dylan maintained his calm demeanor. "If you put it that way, it's equally accurate. Like you said, you already know that I'm still the same. I don't mind proving how true your words are" he said, his hateful eyes still on Clara. "I dont want to be involved in
Clara left the room silently, without any further words or protesting attitude. She had been both defeated and threatened. And she knew this time that the tables had turned and they were not in her favour. She simply took a long look at Dylan who kept his eyes fixed on her as well. When she was done, she left the room. "Dylan, what was all that?" Joyce asked immediately the door slid shut. She walked to Dylan and looked him in the eye. Dylan exhaled. "All what?" he asked. He suddenly looked a bit tired and slowly walked back to the chair, sinking into it. "All that about Derek being malnourished and passing out in school. All that!" Joyce pressed. "What about it? You didn't hear her deny it, did you? Or you think I made it up?" he asked right back. Chelsea believed him when he said it. She could hear the pain in his voice as he confronted Clara about it. The pain wasn't one of anger towards Clara. Rather it was anger that his son had to go through that despite the status of his fa