Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 876

"Cherry, don't panic, okay? When did she pass out?" Whitney suddenly stood up from behind her desk. "About...five...no, eight minutes ago. I'm not sure how to count it, Auntie?"

Cherry was utterly helpless.

She's just a little one, Whitney thought with a headache, "Sweetie, don't cry. Can you walk downstairs and go next door to find Yael, or maybe Granduncle Joe would do. Can you do that?" "Whitney, I don't wanna leave Mommy. I'm scared she's...she's gonna die. She's not responding to me! What do I do? I really wanna call Daddy Parker, but I'm scared Mommy would be mad..." Cherry stubbornly refused to leave Tiana's side.

Whitney grabbed her purse and coat without a second thought, not even acknowledging the HR manager as she rushed out of the office, instructing Cody, "Get the car ready, and make it quick!" Cody noticed her furrowed brows, "Ms. Whitney, what's going on?"

"Yes."

Whitney hurried to the elevator, and just before the doors closed, she managed to call Yael with her other phone.

She feared Tiana might be in shock; not knowing how long she had been unconscious was terrifying.

Five minutes later, Whitney drove out of the company parking lot.

Yael called back, "Sis, Tiana really passed out! I've called an ambulance, but though she's pale, she's not foaming at the mouth, so I'm not sure what's wrong... The ambulance is here! Should I take her to the General Hospital?" "Right away! I'm on my way too."

Whitney gripped the steering wheel tightly.

Damn it, caught in lunchtime traffic.

By the time Whitney made it to the General Hospital and rushed into the emergency department, she saw Yael standing there alone.

"Sis!"

"How's Tiana?"

"She just got taken in by the doctors. The paramedics didn't say much on the way. I've got her into the emergency department for a possible appendicitis, thinking maybe it's why she fainted. Do you think she'll need surgery?" Yael had made the appointment based on Tiana's symptoms from the night before.

Whitney gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder, "You've done well. You should head back now. Oh, and make sure the nanny calms Cherry down, or maybe she can stay at my place with Danny and Sammy."

"I asked my dad to check on Cherry next door. When I left, she was clinging to her mom, terrified Tiana might die."

Yael sighed.

Whitney's eyes teared up a bit, feeling a pang of heartache. Tiana had raised Cherry all on her own; they had been each other's world for three years, with Cherry feeling so insecure.

Maybe Tiana had experienced similar health scares before, causing Cherry's fear.

All because, three years ago, Tiana was dragged to a club by Elaine and violated by Barclay!

She was supposed to be the princess of the Melford family, but her life took a drastic turn. Rumors of her assault, an unplanned pregnancy, and being ruthlessly suppressed by Elaine for three years! Whitney's heart ached with regret.

"Sis, are you blaming yourself again?" Yael sounded helpless.

Whitney composed herself, "I hate that I was abroad back then, unable to help Tiana in any way."

"Everyone has their own destiny and challenges that are beyond our control. After three years of hardship and hiding, Tiana has reunited with you and has Cherry, her precious girl. Life might not be perfect, but I believe she sees things realistically." "No, Yael, you're wrong. Tiana is anything but optimistic. These three years have brought her so much self-doubt, dulled her spirit. She used to be so vibrant...

And now, she doesn't even dare to dream about men like Parker. I can tell she's constantly guarding her heart, punishing herself for believing she doesn't deserve love."

Whitney reminisced in a low voice, fearing for Tiana's health this time.

"Don't worry too much. Tiana won't have a serious illness. The doctor didn't seem that concerned."

Yael tried to keep Whitney's spirits up, "Tiana is still young."

Whitney forced a smile, stopping her runaway thoughts, "Alright, you go on to work. I've got things covered here, Yael."

"Okay, call me if anything comes up. Or call Ludwik!" Yael said with a wink as she left.

Whitney shook her head, gently pushing her away.

Leaning against the hospital's cold wall, Whitney watched as patients and doctors rushed by, each face marked with fatigue and fear of the unknown.

Whitney clenched her hand, Tiana was more than a best friend to her, she was like family.

"Is the family of the patient in Emergency Room 13 here?"

Suddenly, a doctor appeared from the emergency room, his hands in rubber gloves but without a trace of blood.

Whitney let out a sigh of relief, then quickly stood up, "Hello, doctor! I'm Tiana's friend. She might have fainted due to severe stomach pain..."

"It's not quite that." The doctor interrupted Whitney, frowning.

His expression made Whitney uneasy, "Then doctor, what's her condition?"

The doctor raised an eyebrow at her, noting Whitney's professional appearance and the designer briefcase. He finally spoke with some patience, "You've got the wrong department. She needs to be transferred to the Obstetrics and Gynecology department." "What?" Whitney was stunned, unable to grasp the situation, repeating the symptoms, "But doctor, my friend has had stomach pain and vomiting since last night. She thought it might be from bad takeout."

The doctor scoffed, "You doubt my judgment? If it were a gastrointestinal issue, she wouldn't have a fever without bacterial infection. How do you expect me to treat that in Gastroenterology?" Whitney was puzzled.

As a practitioner of traditional medicine, if Tiana's surface temperature was high and bacterial infection was ruled out, then appendicitis was almost impossible.

The doctor had just said...transfer to Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Gynecology? Or Obstetrics?

Whitney was bewildered!

Could it be that Tiana had some gynecological issue?

Without further ado, she hurried into the ward, just as interns were wheeling Tiana out.

Tiana lay unconscious, her delicate brows furrowed, her round eyes shut tight, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.

"Tiana, Tiana?"

Whitney called out, her brow creased in worry. After calling her name a couple of times, she immediately rushed to register for an emergency appointment at the obstetrics and gynecology department.

She received several forms for tests and returned to the ward, where a nurse was drawing blood from Tiana's arm.

Whitney waited anxiously as they took the blood sample for analysis.

No doctors had come by during this time.

Holding her bag, she paced to the side of the bed, unable to resist looking at Tiana. Her face was petite, with a charmingly rounded jaw, giving her an adorable appearance. Thus, even at twenty-six and after having Cherry, she didn't look the least bit aged. Tiana was strikingly beautiful, with her naturally curly black hair, long and lush eyelashes, and her eyebrows soft and innocent.

If not for her straightforward, fiery temper, she'd look utterly sweet and pure...

But it struck her as odd. Tiana hadn't been involved in any romantic relationships for the past three years.

How could she possibly have developed a gynecological condition...

Something didn't add up.