17
Normally, when a patient reaches a critical condition, the hospital will contact the patient’s closest relatives.
Unfortunately, Uncle Sun had no children or descendants.
He was an orphan taken in and raised by Kariette’s grandfather and grew up alongside the current lord, Kariette’s father.
Hence, Kariette, who was still at the company, was the one notified.
Kariette looked terribly upset, and Kurt felt an ominous premonition.
“How is Uncle Sun doing?”
“The doctors say he might not make it through the day.”
“Why has his condition worsened?
Wasn’t it stable before?”
“The doctors don’t know the cause either.”
“Damn it!
We pay them so much, and they still don’t know?
When did our country Tier’s healthcare standards drop so low?” Kurt grasped his head in frustration.
If Uncle Sun were just any servant, it would be different, but he’s someone brought in by their grandfather, growing up with their father, almost like a real uncle to them.
Kurt couldn’t calm down knowing Uncle Sun was dying.
“What should we do, sis!?”
“We need to rush to the hospital.
You get the car ready; I’ll assign tasks to the secretary and call Holly to see if she will come too.”
“What about Mom and Dad?”
“…” Kariette paused for a moment.
Her parents were currently on vacation and were not even informed about their beloved grandchild’s kidnapping incident two days ago because she thought she could control the situation.
But now, it was out of control.
“You tell them,” Kariette commanded without waiting for her brother’s response and walked away to delegate tasks to her secretary and involved staff, meaning he had to inform their parents.
“My sister, so cruel to me,” Kurt shook his head before unlocking his phone to make a call.
“Holly, brace yourself and listen.
Uncle Sun’s condition…”
At a private hospital in Tier, equipped with state-of-the-art technology surpassing other hospitals in the nation, staffed with top-notch medical professionals, certified by the Tier Medical Association as a premier institution.
This hospital was chosen by various high-profile individuals, including high-ranking military officers, politicians, and tycoons, as it was the only private hospital in Chiang City with a resident medical sorcerer.
For illnesses or injuries that science couldn’t address, a medical sorcerer supplements with their knowledge.
A hospital with a medical sorcerer was chosen by those from the shadow society and in battles among sorcerers, the need for medical sorcerers was paramount.
It was obvious how many sorcerer patients this hospital caters to.
Uncle Sun was also transferred here after being severely injured and initially treated at a local hospital.
He was urgently moved to this facility for surgery and magical treatment, which slightly improved his condition.
However, suddenly his vitals started fluctuating abnormally, and bumps appeared all over his body.
The sudden deterioration puzzled all the medical staff, and to this day, they have yet to find the cause.
Even the medical sorcerer was at a loss, unable to address issues beyond their expertise.
Kurt and Kariette arrived swiftly at the emergency patient room, where medical staff were intensely deliberating.
“Doctor, how is the patient?” Kurt approached the doctors politely.
“Hello, you’ve come at the right time.
We were just discussing what to do next.”
“What do you mean?”
“The patient’s condition is quite dire.
His heartbeat has become irregular, and there are bumps and strange marks all over his skin.
We’re considering using radiation therapy as we can’t find the cause.”
“Don’t you have a medical sorcerer?
Isn’t there any improvement?”
“Yes, but we’re trying our best,” the doctor replied before returning to discuss with his colleagues and proceed with the emergency investigation.
The siblings exchanged worried glances, realizing Uncle Sun’s condition was worse than they thought!
Soon, Holly’s car pulled up in the hospital parking lot.
She rushed to the building and then briskly walked to the patient room, where she found her siblings with grim expressions.
Her heart sank.
“Sis,” Holly approached Kariette, who looked back with an almost emotionless face that was chillingly cold, unsettling her deeply.
“How is Uncle Sun?”
“Not good,” Kariette replied tersely, turning to Kurt for further explanation.
“His condition suddenly worsened at noon.
There are bumps and strange patterns on his skin, and he’s losing weight rapidly.
It’s better you don’t see him,” Kurt said, reluctant to elaborate, but enough to overwhelm Holly’s heart.
Holly clasped her chest, muttering,
“It’s my fault…
it’s all my fault.
If I hadn’t insisted on taking Eris out, Uncle Sun might have…”
“It’s not your fault,” Kariette comforted her sister, whose embrace allowed Holly to break down in tears, blaming herself for Eris’s kidnapping and Uncle Sun’s injuries.
‘Holly, you’re just evil,’ she cursed herself internally.
Kariette, not a woman of many words, offered solace with her presence.
“What did Dad say?” she asked Kurt.
“Mom and Dad have booked a flight, but it’s delayed,” he responded, gazing toward the patient’s room.
“From here to Bernard, it takes about eleven hours.
They won’t make it in time.”
“Um,” Kariette acknowledged.
“Sis, should we let Brother bring Eris here?” Kurt sought her opinion.
Kariette appeared troubled; she didn’t want Eris to face such a profound loss so early.
Uncle Sun was like a cherished grandfather to her.
Yet, if they didn’t call her, she might never see him again.
“When did we first understand the concept of [Death]?” Kariette mused, with Kurt unable to reply.
“For me, it was at five.
Remember the dog I had?
I loved it dearly, but it got too adventurous and was hit by a car.”
“I remember.
You named it [Tutsi].”
“Yes…
That was when I first understood death and loss.
I cried for days and nights, afraid Mom would disappear like Tutsi, so I ended up sleeping in their room.” Kurt reminisced with a soft laugh.
“I was five too, during our grandmother’s funeral.
Holly had just been born then,” said Kariette.
“Ah…
What about you, Holly?”
“I was four.
I had goldfish, but they died.”
“Four…
um,” Kariette nodded thoughtfully.
“So, will we call Eris here?”
“…” Kariette hesitated, her expression turning contemplative.
She was concerned about the impact on Eris, who, despite being only three, understood more than an average five-year-old.
Uncle Sun’s protection of her had led to his injuries.
No matter the cause of his sudden health decline, Eris would remember her role in it.
‘Eris has just regained her mental equilibrium thanks to Gavin.
I don’t want to shatter that.’
Kariette cherished seeing Eris happy and playful more than anything.
Eris had been ill and confined, impacting her mental well-being more than other children might experience.
Gavin’s arrival brought unprecedented joy to Eris, which, in turn, filled Kariette with happiness.
She desired nothing more than to prolong that joy.
Yet, the looming tragedy cast a shadow over their lives.
She wanted to curse God like Gavin.
“My daughter is perceptive.
We can’t completely shield her from the truth,”
Kariette finally said, signaling her decision to have Eris informed, understanding she would soon learn of it anyway.
While Eris might not grasp the full scope, her intuition was sharp.
Keeping secrets would only delay the inevitable, possibly worsening the situation.
Facing reality was the better path.
Soon after, the doctors came out, their expressions unreadably neutral, leaving one to wonder about their true sentiments.
“Doctor,” Kurt quickly approached the medical team.
“The patient is conscious now, but we still haven’t identified the cause,” one doctor explained, visibly disheartened.
“Is there nothing at all we can do?”
“We are sincerely sorry.”
“…”
A chill seemed to pass through the siblings, their prepared hearts still yearning for a glimmer of hope.
The news only deepened their sorrow.
“Sis, should we transfer him to another hospital?” Holly suggested tentatively.
Their financial resources were ample, and she believed their parents would endorse using them for Uncle Sun’s care.
“The best option would be a hospital in the capital,” Kurt mentioned, his voice laced with resignation.
“The doctors concur that a capital hospital might offer more advanced care, but it’s unfeasible given his condition and inability to endure travel.”
“What, then?
We just let him die?” she exclaimed, her patience fraying, tears streaming down her face as guilt overwhelmed her.
“For now, we can only maintain his current state.
How long that will last, we don’t know.
Our best additional option is to invite specialists here.”
“That’s an idea…
Sis, your friend, the divine doctor, can’t we call him?” Kurt looked to Kariette, hope flickering in his eyes.
The mention of the divine doctor stirred interest among the staff, aware of his renowned skills.
Anyone in the circle of sorcerers knew about the sorcerer who held the title of Divine Docter.
He was the number one medical sorcerer in the world and was very familiar with the Ice Witch, Kariette.
‘Or maybe a divine doctor will visit our hospital!’ The doctors were expecting it.
It would be great to be able to learn some techniques from that divine doctor.
“I can’t reach him,” Kariette said, her words extinguishing the flicker of hope.
“I’ll go in with Holly to see Uncle Sun.
Kurt, please wait here.
Come on, Holly.”
“Okay.”
“One moment, please.
Wear these protective suits first, as the illness’s cause remains unknown.”
“Understood,” Kariette and Holly complied, donning the protective gear before proceeding to Uncle Sun’s room.
What they found was a man aged beyond his years, his frail body connected to an array of medical devices, a grim testament to his plight.
“Holly…” Holly’s voice quivered as she called out.
“Miss Holly…” The hoarse voice of the elderly man, struggling with each breath, emerged with difficulty.
Holly approached closer, tears streaming down as she reached out to touch Uncle Sun’s withered hand.
“Uncle Sun, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s this old man who should…
apologize.
I couldn’t…
protect you and the little lady.”
“Uncle Sun, Eris is safe now.
You must stay strong.”
“Miss, I’ve been fortunate that…
the old master…
took this old man in.
It allowed me to serve the Cofords, to have a family…
of my own.”
“Don’t say anything, Uncle!
You’ll recover.
We have money.
We’ll find a way to heal you.
So, you mustn’t give up.”
“Thank you…
miss.” Uncle Sun managed the warmest possible smile, despite knowing his body was at its limit.
He chose to comfort her further.
“Miss Kariette,” Uncle Sun turned to look at Kariette, who watched him with sorrowful eyes.
She hadn’t spoken a word since her arrival.
“Your return…
has made this old man very happy.
Above all…
is the little lady.”
“…”
“The little lady…
is a charming child.
She has an aura that endears her to people.
She is a beautiful angel.
Whatever others may say, to this old man…
your giving birth to the little lady is nothing…
to be ashamed of.
Not at all.”
Kariette’s lips trembled.
“The master…
consulted with me often on how to reconcile with you, what gifts to give, or even how to console you…
when you were eight months pregnant.”
“Did father…
forgive me even before I gave birth?” Kariette asked with restraint, and Uncle Sun just nodded slightly.
Miss Kariette always understood that her parents were disappointed because she was pregnant before marriage.
But unbeknownst to her, they had forgiven her long ago, only expressing it after the little lady was born, perhaps ashamed to reconcile after the hurtful words and actions that day.
Of course, such a matter couldn’t be discussed with the child or outsiders, as it would be embarrassing.
Therefore, the only confidante for the master, or Kariette’s father, was Uncle Sun, who had grown up alongside him.
And the master would never have revealed this, had Uncle Sun not spoken.
“Miss…
don’t be sad…
thank you.
Thank you, the master, and miss, for treating…
this old man as family.”
Thump.
Kariette’s hands clenched together, her eyes shimmering and moistening before she forced them closed.
“Uncle will pull through.” Kariette stepped out before hearing a voice.
“Mommy,” a little distance away in the hallway, the little girl was in her father’s arms, waving to catch her mother’s attention after Kariette removed her protective cap.
“Eris.”
“Mommy, I want a hug.”
“I can’t now.
I need to change clothes first.
Who knows what germs might be on them.”
“Huh?” Eris looked puzzled before her face crumpled as if about to cry.
“Mommy hates Eris now, huhu…”
“Mommy doesn’t hate Eris.
Wait till I change, then I’ll hug you.” Kariette tried to explain, and Eris ceased her whimpering.
“Where’s Grandpa Sun?”
“He’s in the room…
Eris needs to change clothes first.
Go change with Uncle Kurt, okay?
Aunt Holly is waiting inside, too.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Come, Eris, let’s go change with Uncle.” Kurt smiled thinly, taking Eris from her father’s arms.
“What about you, mommy?”
“I need to talk to Papa.”
“Uh-huh.” Eris nodded before being led away by Kurt.
Kariette turned to Gavin, who was waiting to hear what she had to say.
“Is something the matter?” Gavin asked before Kariette reached out to grasp his wrist, causing him to widen his eyes in surprise.
“Please, I’m begging you…”
Help Uncle Sun.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Read ‘The Return of Asura Who Suddenly Becomes a Father’ before anyone else with more chapters at http://www.jinovel.com/en