The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 485 Emily's Condition Has Worsened

Autumn retired early after having dinner. She hoped that a good night's rest would help her get rid of this discomfort. However, she woke up in the middle of the night with the same heavy feeling. Her throat felt dry so she decided to go downstairs for a glass of water. She frowned as she heard Charles's voice coming from the living room. He was on the phone talking to someone. "I'm uneasy telling Autumn about this you know how she's been doing lately. She went to bed early, but I guess I have to tell her about it tomorrow," Charles said in a resigned tone.

He was quiet for a while, listening to whoever was on the other line. After a few seconds, he spoke again in a low tone, "Okay, I get it. I will tell her." He hung up the phone with a sigh, not realizing that Autumn was behind him. He was taken aback when he saw her and frowned slightly. "You startled me. What are you doing up?" Charles asked in a concerned tone.

"I woke up feeling thirsty so I came down to get a glass of water," Autumn replied, looking searchingly at her husband. "Who was that just now?" she asked referring to his phone call.

"Just office staff asking something about work," Charles replied not meeting Autumn's eyes. His hand unconsciously tightened on his phone. He already decided that he would wait until the morning before telling Autumn about the phone call.

"Really? But I think I heard you mentioned my name," Autumn insisted, her eyes fixed on her husband's to catch his changing expression.

"Charles, tell me what's going on. You don't have to worry about me. I'm strong, I can take whatever it is," Autumn pleaded, catching Charles's sleeves urgently.

Charles hesitated briefly; he knew it was hard to put off Autumn now that she heard part of the conversation. With a sigh, he led his wife to the sofa, pouring her a glass of water from the pitcher by the table. He made sure she finished her glass before speaking in a gentle tone, "You have to promise me that you will keep calm after hearing what I have to say. You're in the third trimester. If you get too excited, the consequences will be terrifying."

Autumn gently rubbed her tummy and said seriously,"Rest assured that I have my emotions under control. There's nothing more important to me than our babies. I will protect them at all costs."

After hearing Autumn's reassurance, Charles decided to tell her the truth. "I'm sorry for lying to you," he apologized gently, taking his wife's hand. "Actually, it was Grandpa Arthur I was talking to on the phone, not my office staff."

"Grandpa?" Autumn's heart skipped a bit at what she heard. "Why did he call you so late?"

"He called about..." Charles broke off not knowing whether he should continue. With a deep sigh, he continued, "Grandma Emily's condition has worsened. They have brought her to the hospital now." "What?!" The color drained from Autumn's face as she heard the news. Although she had been trying hard to mentally prepare herself for this day, the reality was still hard to take. Panic gripped her heart at the thought of losing Emily. "How is that possible?" She jumped to her feet, asking Charles in a trembling voice.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but it's true." Charles held Autumn in his arms. "Take a deep breath. Think about our babies," he whispered gently.

His reminder about their babies had a calming effect on Autumn. "How is Grandma Emily now?" she asked anxiously.

"Grandpa Arthur told me she seemed unwell after supper so he took her to the hospital. He didn't realize that her condition had worsened and was surprised when the doctor took her straight to the operating room. He wanted to call you but decided to call me instead. We agreed to wait until tomorrow before telling you. I didn't expect..."

Autumn didn't let him finish. "I have to see her now, Charles. Please take me to the hospital now!" Autumn cried, her eyes wild.

"All right, Autumn, calm down." Charles tightened his arms around Autumn, gently massaging her back. "Listen, first, you calm down, and then I will take you to the hospital. You'll only make matters worse if you go to the hospital in your present condition."

"You're right. I have to pull myself together," Autumn said, taking deep steadying breaths. They rested on the sofa for a while until Autumn regained her color and looked less flustered. They went straight to the operating room upon reaching the hospital. Arthur and Amy rushed to them at once.

"Why did you come, Autumn?" Amy asked in concern. She frowned, turning to Charles. "Didn't we agree that you would wait until tomorrow? Why did you bring her here, now?" she demanded, mildly scolding Charles.

"Don't blame Charles, grandma," Autumn defended her husband immediately. She was too worried about Emily's situation to bother explaining to them why Charles was forced to tell her. Catching Arthur's hand in a firm grip, she inquired fretfully,"Grandpa, how is Grandma Emily now?"

"Not too good, I'm afraid," Arthur answered truthfully. "Autumn, you should brace yourself; you know this day will come sooner or later. The doctors are doing their best to save her. You must stay calm for the sake of the babies in your tummy."

Although Autumn knew that she should do as Arthur said, she couldn't stop the feeling of foreboding gripping her, making her shake.

After all, Emily was her dearest grandmother. They had been through a lot together.

Charles, noticing the distraught look in Autumn's eyes, rushed to seat her on the waiting bench. "You're freaking out, Autumn," he said. "Sit and relax."

While sitting nervously, Autumn felt a sharp pain in her tummy and started to panic. She got up hurriedly to call Charles, feeling sudden wetness on her undies. As she looked down and saw blood stains on the spot where she was sitting, she swayed and almost fell. "Char... Charles..." she called her husband distraughtly.

"What is it, Autumn? What's wrong?" Charles asked anxiously catching Autumn in his arms. He noticed her pale face and the horrified way she was looking down at the bench. At the sight of the blood stains, Charle's heart stopped for a second. Fear almost froze his brain.

"How... what should we do?" Autumn's alarmed voice brought him back to the crisis in hand. Arthur and Amy noticed the commotion and rushed to Autumn's side, overwhelmed by the situation. "Please wait here for Grandma Emily, grandpa, grandma. I'll bring Autumn to the Emergency Room." Charles said taking charge of the situation.

"Okay, hurry!" Arthur urged him nervously.

Charles picked up his horrified wife and rushed right to Anthony's office down the hall. Anthony was about to go home for the night since he was not feeling well?when suddenly the door burst open to admit Charles with pale Autumn in his arms. "Oh, God. What happened?" Anthony shouted leading Charles to the examination table.

"Her grandma's condition deteriorated. The shock must have been too much for her. She just started bleeding. Please see to her at once!" Charles ordered Anthony; he was beside himself with anxiety. Anthony's face turned grim as he assessed the situation.

Bleeding at the beginning of the third trimester is not a good sign. He hoped to God there was nothing wrong with the babies. "Put her here. I'll examine her now, calm down and wait outside," Anthony ordered. Charles went out of the room reluctantly.

Sweating profusely, Autumn gripped Anthony's hand and told him desperately,"Anthony, please help me, don't let me lose my babies." "Stop talking and calm yourself. Be still," Anthony ordered gently, frowning in concentration. "Or else, I'm not sure if I can help you save them."