Chapter 104 In A Poor State
In the car, Rachel remained unresponsive.
Natalia, overwhelmed with panic, burst into tears, her sobs uncontrollable.
“What do I do, Douglas? I didn’t mean for this to happen! I just wanted to push her buttons a little–to let out
my frustration. I never thought she’d actually pass out! She’s going to be okay, right?”
Her voice shook, thick with fear.
Douglas Hilton, the driver, kept his tone steady as he tried to reassure her. “Please stay calm. She’ll be fine.”
“Okay–just drive faster!”
At the hospital, Rachel was immediately rushed into emergency care.
Natalia paced anxiously in the corridor, her stomach twisting with worry.
Thankfully, everything went smoothly.
Not long after, the doctor emerged.
Natalia rushed forward. “Doctor, how is she?”
“She’s fine. Once she’s settled in a room, you can visit her.”
“Alright. Thank you, Doctor.”
Inside the ward, everything was a sterile shade of white.
The air felt cold, empty–devoid of warmth.
Natalia had never liked hospitals. They always felt too distant, too lonely. And more than anything, she hated
pain. She hated needles.
But this time, she had no choice but to push past her fear.
When Natalia stepped inside, Rachel lay motionless on the bed, eyes shut, her face pale, drained of all color.
Her breathing was so shallow it was barely perceptible.
If Natalia hadn’t known Rachel was simply unwell, she might have doubted whether Rachel was even alive.
It wasn’t an overreaction–Rachel looked so unnervingly still, as if all signs of life had faded from her.
“Rachel…” Natalia called softly, hesitant.
As expected, there was no response.
She stepped closer, her fingers twitching before she finally reached out to check Rachel’s breathing.
Feeling the faint warmth of breath against her hand, she exhaled in relief. “Thank goodness.”
Chapter 104 In A Poor State
Moments later, a nurse entered the room.
Noticing the tray of medication bottles in her hands, Natalia’s unease deepened. “Does she really need all that?
Is she still in bad shape?”
The nurse, seeing the concern on Natalia’s face, softened her tone. “The doctor prescribed these. I’m just here to administer the injections. If you want details, you should ask the doctor.”
Natalia gave a small nod. “Okay, but when will she wake up?”
“The doctor said it shouldn’t be long now, so try not to worry. By the way, what’s your relationship with her?*
The nurse’s question was casual, but it caught Natalia off guard.
She couldn’t possibly say they were romantic rivals, could she?
I’m her younger sister!”
“I see. Your sister’s health is quite delicate, so make sure to take good care of her.”
After administering the injection, the nurse gave a few instructions before heading out.
Natalia remained at Rachel’s bedside. Douglas, having settled the medical bills, glanced at the time–it was
already noon.
He turned to Natalia and said, “Miss, you should eat something. I can stay here and keep watch.”
“Forget it. I had a hand in her collapsing. I won’t feel at ease until she wakes up. I’ll wait.”
“But you shouldn’t skip meals either.”
Natalia mulled it over before saying, “Then please bring something back for me.”
“Alright, I’ll be quick.”
Once Douglas left, Natalia found herself studying Rachel more closely.
She had to admit, Rachel was breathtaking. Not the kind of beauty enhanced by makeup, but the kind that was
effortlessly striking
Then again, what did looks matter? In Brian’s heart, there was only room for Tracy.
The thought left an unexpected pang of sympathy in her chest.
Resting her chin on her hand, she sighed and murmured, “Honestly, you’ve got it rough. Imagine trying on wedding dresses while your fiancé runs off to another woman. But at least Brian’s willing to pick you in the end
-to marry you. That’s more than I ever got.”
Natalia exhaled heavily, her shoulders sinking, “Ugh, I can’t even tell if I should feel bad for you or be jealous.”
About ten minutes later, Rachel stirred awake.
Even with her eyes open, she still felt drained, her limbs heavy with exhaustion.
The dull ache in her abdomen told her what she already suspected–it was just her period.
Brian leaving had upset her, but not enough to make her pass out.
Chapter 104 In A Poor State
Lately, her body had been betraying her in ways she didn’t understand.
Fatigue clung to her like a weight, her energy drained without reason. Her hair came out in handfuls. Nausea
hit her at random, and she had thrown up more times than she could count.
Seeing movement, Natalia immediately leaned in, her voice filled with relief. “Finally! I thought you were gonna sleep forever. Listen, I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t think you were so fragile that a couple of words from me would knock you out cold.”
Rachel blinked at the woman in front of her. She was undeniably beautiful, with an air of innocence that made
it difficult to hold a grudge.
Yes, she had been sharp–tongued at the bridal shop, but standing here now, she looked nothing but earnest.
Rachel offered a small smile. “I’m not that fragile. Words alone won’t make me pass out.”
“Then what happened?”
“Probably my period,” Rachel admitted. “That, plus not getting enough sleep the past few nights. My body just gave out. So don’t blame yourself too much.”
She shifted, suddenly aware of her growing discomfort.
She needed to get to the bathroom–now.
She barely lifted the blanket before her body betrayed her. The moment her feet touched the cold floor, a wave
of exhaustion crashed over her.
Noticing her struggle, Natalia quickly stepped forward and grabbed her arm. “Bathroom, right? Come on, I’ll help you. No need to be shy–we’re both women.”
Rachel shot her a grateful look. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
After helping her find a tampon and making sure she was okay, Natalia guided her back to bed.
Right then, Douglas returned.
Knowing Natalia hadn’t eaten yet, he had brought back an assortment of food.
The rich, warm aroma filled the hospital room, chasing away the sterile chill.
Natalia stretched lazily, inhaling deeply before grinning. “Well, that’s better. At least it doesn’t feel like a
morgue anymore.”
She quickly unpacked the food, setting everything up.
She handed a spoon to Rachel. “It’s already noon. You must be starving. Eat.”
Rachel blinked, caught off guard.
Their first encounter at the bridal shop had left a very different impression–she had pegged Natalia as an entitled rich lady, the kind who only cared about herself.
But now, she seemed like a kind and innocent soul.
Chapter 104 In A Poor State
“Bringing me to the hospital was already more than enough,” Rachel murmured. “You don’t have to do all this.”
Natalia met her gaze without hesitation. “Maybe, but that’s just how I am. If I hadn’t been involved, fine. But
since I was, I like to see things through.”
She gestured toward the food. “The doctor said you’re weak and need something nutritious, so hurry up and
eat.”
Rachel tightened her grip around the spoon, her voice steady with gratitude. “Thank you.”
Natalia leaned back, casually twirling her fork. “Don’t get the wrong idea. This doesn’t change anything–I still
see you as a rival.”
She met Rachel’s gaze head–on, her tone unwavering. “I like Brian, and that makes us competitors. But I’d rather play fair. I don’t do cheap tricks.”
Midway through their meal, the door swung open, and the doctor stepped in.
His gaze lingered on Rachel longer than necessary, his expression unreadable.
“Rachel Marsh, correct?”
“Yes!”
He gave a small nod, then spoke in a measured tone. “After eight o’clock tonight, no food or drink. Given your symptoms, I strongly recommend a full examination tomorrow.”
Rachel’s stomach twisted, a sudden unease settling over her. She gripped the edge of her blanket and hesitated before asking, “Doctor… is there something wrong with me?”
