Vernon Hospital, Emergency Department Ward.
A young nurse walked into the room carrying a metal tray filled with medical supplies.
"Mr. Beckett, it's time for your injection."
The man lying on the hospital bed had a pale face, and his lips were almost devoid of color.
He forced his eyes open, glanced at the nurse, then turned his head to the side and remained motionless.
At the bedside, Poppy was on the verge of tears. She pleaded earnestly, "Clint, I'm begging you, please cooperate with the treatment! Your body can't take this kind of torment anymore!"
Clint kept his eyes tightly shut, giving her no response whatsoever.
"Ugh!" she sighed, then muttered, "Ever since you divorced Serena, you've been drowning yourself in alcohol every day, neglecting even the company's affairs! Now, because of your drinking, your body is falling apart!"
She questioned him sharply, "Clint, I really don't understand-what's so great about Serena that she's worth you tormenting yourself like this?!"
Still, the man remained silent.
"I've already called Serena. I asked her to come to the hospital!"
At these words, Clint finally showed a reaction. He turned his head slightly, eyes barely open, "She... will she come?!"
"I don't know!" Poppy wiped away a tear, her expression dark, "Anyway, I passed the message. Whether she comes or not is her choice."
"Oh..." A trace of sadness flashed through his eyes before he closed them again.
The nurse stood by with the tray, watching for a moment before shaking her head helplessly.
"Miss Castano, Mr. Beckett still won't cooperate. If this continues, it won't be long before his body completely gives out!"
Poppy looked helplessly at the man with tightly closed eyes and furrowed brows. Was this still the gentleman she'd adored since childhood? Was this still the capable, admirable man she had looked up to for so long?
Illness had reduced him to a shadow of his former self. His once clean and tidy face was now covered in unkempt stubble. Due to days of heavy drinking and barely any food, he was painfully thin.
Finally unable to bear it, Poppy softened her tone, "Clint, be good and listen to the doctor. Take your medicine and get your injections. Serena... she should come. Even if it's just to see her again, shouldn't you at least try to pull yourself together?"
That seemed to strike a chord.
Clint slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was vacant and lifeless. After looking at her for a moment, he finally nodded at the nurse, "Thank you."
The nurse quickly stepped forward and began the treatment.
Serena arrived at the hospital the next morning. She stood in front of a ward in the emergency department, confirming whether it was the right room number.
Just then, the door opened, and Poppy stepped out.
Seeing Serena, her expression immediately darkened. "Well, you showed up?"
Serena smiled faintly, "Since Miss Castano personally invited me, of course I had to show some respect."
"Hmph!" Poppy folded her arms and leaned against the doorframe, clearly not planning to let her in so easily. "Are you here out of respect, or because you've got something scheming in your heart and want to cling to my Clint again? You know that better than anyone!"
"Heh! Miss Castano!" Serena also crossed her arms. "You were the one who invited me. Now I'm here, and you're blocking the door. So which is it-do you want me to see Clint or not?"
"If not, I'll just leave. Unlike you, I don't have time to wander around with nothing better to do."
With that, she turned decisively and headed toward the elevator in her high heels, the sound of her footsteps sharp and clear.
Seeing that Serena was really leaving, Poppy panicked and ran after her.
She didn't want Serena to see Clint, but if she didn't let her in and Clint refused treatment again-what then?!
She grabbed Serena's arm, her face full of reluctance, "Since you're already here, then just go see Clint."
Serena stopped, looking at her with amusement, "You invited me, then blocked the door, and now you're holding me back from leaving. Miss Castano, are you sure you don't have a split personality? Since you're already in a hospital, I'd suggest getting checked out."
"You-You're the crazy one!" Poppy flung her hand aside, "If you want to see Clint, then go!"
"You're unbelievable!" Serena sneered, "Let me make it clear-you asked me to come. Now you're also begging me to go in and see Clint. I didn't come here of my own accord. When you're asking someone for a favor, you should at least act like it. With that arrogant attitude? Sorry, I'm not interested anymore."
With that, the click-clack of her heels echoed again as she turned and walked away.
Poppy stared daggers at her retreating back, nearly grinding her teeth to dust.
Just as Serena was about to turn the corner, Poppy rushed up again.
"Fine... fine! I am begging you. Please... go see him. His condition really can't wait any longer. If he doesn't get proper treatment, it'll leave him with permanent damage!"
Serena raised an eyebrow, her tone lofty, "So, you admit you're begging me?"
"Yes!" Poppy dug her nails into her palm, forcing herself to say it, "I'm begging you! Please go see Clint!"
"Alright!" Serena casually smoothed the creases on her skirt and turned back toward the ward.
"Since you're being so humble, I'll give you this face."
Inside the room, the curtains were drawn.
Even though it was daytime, the room was dim.
Clint lay on the bed with his eyes closed, appearing to be asleep.
The air was so still, one didn't even dare to breathe loudly. Only the monitoring equipment continued to beep steadily, reminding everyone that the man in the bed was still alive.
Treading lightly, Serena walked over to the bedside and sat quietly in a chair.
Looking up, she glanced at Clint-and couldn't help but feel shocked.
His face was covered in stubble, his cheeks sunken, his complexion pale-his illness was evident.
Just a few days ago, when he came to see her, he was wearing a perfectly tailored suit, his hair meticulously styled, looking every bit the sharp, professional man he'd always been.
And now, just a few days later-how had he allowed himself to fall into such a miserable state?
She let out a soft sigh, still debating whether to wake him.
After all, there was no telling how long he'd sleep. She didn't want to waste too much time here.
Just then, as if sensing something, Clint furrowed his brow slightly.
Then, his eyes slowly opened into a narrow slit.
He turned his head toward the bedside.
As if in disbelief, he raised a hand and rubbed his eyes.
"Serena...? Is it really... you?!"
***