MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ASHLEY'S POV)

I shifted uncomfortably on the couch, my eyes fixed on the wall clock. Four hours had passed since Arielle was rushed into the emergency room, and yet, I had heard nothing. No updates, no news, just an eerie silence that was driving me nuts.

I had tried calling Jared multiple times, but his phone was busy, and when I called few minutes ago, it was switched off. Shouldn't he be worried and had called me by now since it's late in the evening already, and Arielle was not home yet?

He used to call me whenever Arielle was not home and with him, but today was different, and I didn't feel good about it. I was tempted to go find him, to ensure he knew his wife was lying in the hospital, fighting for her life, but I couldn't bring myself to leave Arielle. Not yet.

I wanted to see my best friend, to hold her hand, to know she was going to be okay. But then, there was this nagging feeling in my gut that Jared was somehow involved in what happened to Arielle.

I don't mean to sound paranoid, but by the lights above I hope he isn't. Because if he was, I was going to kill him.

I stood up and began to pace, and just then, a nurse walked into the room. My heart lunged in anticipation as I rushed towards her, hoping for news, any news, about Arielle.

The nurse looked my way with a smile. "Oh, there you are. I was looking for you."

"Is there news?"

The nurse nodded. "Yes. She's out of harm's way and has been transferred to a private ward."

I let out a breather, feeling like a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. "Can I see her now?"

The nurse nodded again, "Yes, but you have to see the doctor first."

"Alright, lead me to him.

I followed the nurse, and she stopped in front of a door and knocked gently. A voice from inside called out, "Come in." The nurse opened the door and gestured for me to enter. I took a deep breath and stepped inside. The doctor, young and good-looking, smiled and gestured for me to take a seat. "Please, have a seat, ma'am."

And then he turned to the nurse and cast her a dismissing smile. "Thank you, Lenora."

The nurse nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

"Hi, Doctor," I said, trying to sound calm. "You asked to see me?"

"I did. I want to fill you in on your friend's condition, and thereafter, you're free to see her."

I gulped, silently praying that it wasn't something serious. "I'm listening," I said, clasping my hands together.

"Fortunately, you brought her here on time, else it would have been a different story. A bad one I must say," the doctor began.

I nodded, I'm grateful for that. "So how's she, and the baby? The nurse said she is out of harm's way now," I inquired anxiously.

"She's fine, but she suffered severe hemorrhage and a concussion to the waist. For the baby, I'm sorry we lost it. She bled so much that there was nothing we could do to save the embryo."

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. "No! Doctor, tell me that's not true." I exclaimed, my voice quivering.

The doctor shook his need regrettably. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, goodness, not the baby. The news will kill Arielle," I lamented.

"I'm sorry once again. I know it's tough-" the doctor said, trying to console me.

I sniffed, taking a deep breath. I have to be strong, if not for anything, for Arielle.

"Can I see her now?" I asked, trying to compose myself, when all I wanted to do was bawl.

"Of course," the doctor said, and rose to his feet.

I followed him out of the office, trying so hard to fight my tears. Why does bad things happen to good people? Arielle doesn't deserve any of this.

We walked down the hallway and

arrived at Arielle's hospital room. My heart shattered even more when I saw how pale and sickly she looked.

She was lying on her back, her eyes closed and face swollen.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I approached her bedside. "Arielle," I whispered, taking her hand in mine.

"I will leave you with her now, but will return in two hours time to check on her," the doctor said behind me. "Thank you, doctor."Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

He nodded and walked out.

I drew the chair near the bed, closer, and sat on it. Gently, I traced a hand on her face. "Hey, girl. I'm here."

Tears pricked my eyes as I looked at her, my heart aching. How do I tell her about the baby?

Oh Goodness, if this was a nightmare, I want to wake up fast.

I glanced at the wall clock, and it read 8 pm. I took out my phone and dialed Jared's number again, my frustration growing. I hissed silently when it was still switched off.

How could he be unreachable at a time like this? I glanced at Arielle worriedly. Someone else besides me had to know about her condition. Her husband or a family member.

Speaking of family member, Arielle

had just one her mother. But she

was not an option to consider, considering their strained

relationship. Arielle would kill me if she found out I contacted her

mother. If she wanted a reunion, I'm

sure it wouldn't be in her current

state.

I sighed tiredly, dropping the phone onto my lap. I made up my mind to pass the night in the hospital and go look for Jared at the crack of dawn.

That decided, lowered my head on

the bed, ignoring the hunger in my

stomach. It was too late to get something to eat, and I had

exhausted the butterscotch candy in my bag, back at the waiting room. Slowly, my eyes gave in to a turbulent slumber.

"Ash?" I was roused hours later by the sound of the one voice I have been dying to hear.

I jerked my head up, and my eyes landed on the figure on the bed. Arielle was awake!