NOVEL WEB Chapter 404: She was holding on for Arwen.
Back in the East Serenity Residence,
The doctor was checking Brenda's vitals, which were finally showing hints of improvement.
"Dr. Han's, how is the lady's condition now?" Margaret asked from the side, her voice laced with concern as she noticed the doctor's posture relax slightly.
Even Xander stepped closer, watching the doctor intently as he turned to respond.
"Mrs. Davies is stable now," Dr. Hans said. "She is still under the effects of the medicine, so she is sleeping. Once the effect wears off, she will wake up."
Margaret exhaled slowly, the tightness in her chest easing just a little. She took a deep breath and sighed in relief. But soon, realizing now was not the time to celebrate, she turned back to the doctor with a more serious expression.
"This happened so suddenly this time. Is there something that have to be cautious about, Dr. Hans?"
Dr. Hans briefly glanced at the old woman lying peacefully on the bed, her frail form barely moving.
"There is no specific trigger," he admitted. "It's simply that her illness is worsening with time. She doesn't have much time left. It's only her willpower that's keeping her here —fighting against her condition to hold on a little longer. The day she gives up, she will be gone and even the medicines won't be able to help her."
Margaret's fingers tightened around the handkerchief she was holding. She knew this better than anyone else.
Brenda was fighting against her illness —not to live for herself. She had long accepted her fate.
She was holding on for Arwen.
Before she left this world, she wanted to make sure Arwen had completely healed —physically, emotionally, and mentally. She needed to know that Arwen could stand on her own, strong enough to protect herself, before she could finally let go.
Margaret swallowed hard, her gaze softening as she looked at the unconscious old woman. "She still worries for woman," she mumbled more to herself, but Dr. Hans heard it.
Nodding, he said, "Then that worry is the only thing keeping her here."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Xander, who had been silent all this while, finally spoke, his voice solemn. "How long does she have?"
Dr. Hans hesitated for a moment before answering honestly. "We can't say exactly. A few months, at best."
Margaret closed her eyes briefly, her heart sinking at confirmation. She knew time was slipping out of their grasp like sand slips one's hold, but getting a reminder of it loud made it feel more real.
Xander knew about the old lady's illness, but he didn't know the details as he hadn't been staying around her. Mostly he would visit at regular intervals and report to her everything she needed to know.
His jaws tightened when he heard the doctor. "Is there really nothing that can be done?" he asked.
Dr. Hans shook his head before looking towards Margaret. "Ms. Marrie knows it well. We have tried all that we could. But except for keeping her comfortable, we can do nothing now. Any aggressive treatment will only cause her more suffering. And the lady has long denied them."
Margaret nodded. "She wants to live her last days comfortably. The medicines are the most she could agree."
Brenda was a stubborn head. When she decides on something, no one can change it.
Dr. Hans moved around to pack his instruments as he prepared to leave. "I will be back tomorrow for a follow-up." He then gazed at the nurse and added. "Call me immediately if there is any change in her condition."
The nurse nodded in response.
Xander escorted the doctor out while Margaret stayed behind to look after Brenda for a little longer.
The old lady has always stood strong and composed, almost invulnerable, so so that in the past Margaret couldn't imagine her frail and weak at all.
However, today seeing her lying weak like this, she has come to believe that in this world nothing is invincible.
Meanwhile …
After spending a good time with herself, Arwen finally returned to Gianna's room.
On the bed, Gianna had already dozed off with her head resting on the headboard in a wrong posture. If she slept like this any longer than an hour, the next day, she would surely be waking up with a stiff neck.
When Arwen saw her like that, she couldn't help but shake her head at her. She quietly walked to her side and reached out to adjust her in a comfortable posture.
However, halfway through, Gianna opened her eyes and blinked at Arwen in a daze.
"You … Wenna, what are you doing?"
"What do you think?" Arwen pursed her lips and glanced down at her. Then adjusting the pillow beneath her head, she added, "I am making sure you don't get a stiff neck tomorrow."
Once she made sure that, Gianna was lying comfortably, she straightened herself to turn around and walk to the other side of the bed.
Gianna stared at her for a moment before she finally adjusted to the reality she was forgetting.
Sitting up, she asked, staring at Arwen in confusion. "Wait, what are you doing here?"
Arwen halted in her steps and turned to look at her friend as if she couldn't quite understand what she was asking her about.
"What do you mean, Anna?" She gestured for her to look around the room and then towards the bed. "What else do you expect me to be doing here at this hour if not sleeping?"
"You came to sleep?" Gianna asked, looking confused.
And Arwen no longer bothered with her. Lifting the comforter, she slipped inside. "Usually, at night, people use the beds to lie down and sleep. So, yes, I came to sleep."
"No, I mean did you already complete your packing? And last when I checked, the next flight to New York was scheduled in three hours. Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Earlier, when Arwen left to answer the call, Gianna had been checking the flight details. While checking them, she didn't realize when she dozed off.
Arwen glanced at Gianna for a long moment before shrugging casually. "Because I am no longer taking any flight."
"What?" Gianna couldn't grasp it immediately. "What do you mean?"