I hunched over, shielding Alma tightly with my body as I took out the emergency kit to help deliver her baby.
Kindhearted bystanders took off their padded coats, laying them on the snow as makeshift bedding and forming a human wall around us to shield us from the cold and the onlookers.
I lost track of time, but eventually, the sound of a baby crying filled the air. As cheers erupted around me, my vision went black and I collapsed onto the frostbitten grass.
Excited voices rang out, "She gave birth, it's a baby girl!"
"Oh my God, look at that woman's back, it's completely burnt from the fire. All the skin is gone."
"She's pregnant too! Looks like she's about four or five months along!"
Alma was sobbing uncontrollably, her voice choked with emotion, "Last time, your brother saved my father's life. And now, you've risked your life to save me and my child. Eleanor, how can Barren Family ever repay such a massive debt of gratitude?"
As the Barren Family's ambulance sped toward us, my strength finally gave out and I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I found myself in a VIP ward arranged by Alma.
The nurse changing my dressing informed me that the hospital had used up to 5,500 milliliters of blood to save me, dragging me back from death's door and managing to save my unborn child.
She comforted me, explaining that Alma was undergoing a full-body examination at the postpartum care center but would come to visit once she was finished.
Her eyes reddened with indignation as she asked, "Miss White, the ambulance arrived within five minutes. How could your injuries be so severe?"
"How did those paramedics ignore such massive blood loss? I'll report this to the director immediately. It's a disgrace to our hospital to have emergency responders like them!"
Hearing her words, an ache rose in my heart. Even a stranger like her, someone I'd only just met, was showing me genuine concern. Yet the man I shared my bed with could only mock me and accuse me of faking everything.
I pressed my lips together, they tasted bitter.
Seeing I wasn't responding, the nurse's expression was filled with sympathy. She promised not to let me down, reassuring me that she'd take good care of both me and my baby.
Her words brought a surge of warmth to my otherwise frozen heart. After the nurse left, I picked up my phone, preparing to contact a divorce lawyer.
Before I could make the call, the door to my hospital room swung open. Joanne entered with Gerald's arm around her. Her lowered eyes looked on the verge of tears as she said pitifully, "Eleanor, I know you don't like me, but why did you have to take my hospital room?"
Gerald immediately shielded her protectively, his cold eyes filled with anguish for her. His voice, commanding and icy, stabbed into my ears, "Eleanor, I don't have time to humor your theatrics. If it weren't for Joanne's kindness, you'd probably already be in jail. Hurry up and check yourself out of the hospital, give the room to Joanne."
Joanne's eyes brightened briefly, though she feigned selflessness and said generously, "Gerald, please don't argue with Eleanor because of me. I'll just go stay in an eight-person ward downstairs. It's okay, I can rest just fine.
She continued, "And don't hold it against Eleanor. If she really insists on involving the police, I'm willing to admit I'm at fault for the accident. I'll be fine, truly."
Gerald's frown deepened and his gaze grew colder, "Joanne, why are you always so kindhearted? Don't you realize Eleanor exploits this about you, bullying you time and again?"
"Eleanor, I'm warning you, if you don't discharge yourself today, we're getting a divorce!" This wasn't the first time Gerald had threatened me with divorce.
In my past life, I would have caved. I'd have listened to him and obediently made room for Joanne.
But now, I met his gaze steadily, unwavering and without any trace of emotion, "Fine, Gerald, let's divorce."
The room fell into a heavy silence. You could've heard a pin drop.
