CH-58 Ely's love reveal to Nisha
"Mother! What is happening to you?" Arle called out Iris's title again and again, when Iris coughed up a large amount of blood onto the ground.
Nisho's eyes turned red upon witnessing the disturbing scene, dabbed Iris's back and cried silently in her heart.
Alex was not close to Iris, as a sibling, He still felt a pity towards her but… didn't stand from the sofa.
{My lady, it would be better to take Iris to the hospital. I cannot help because that woman named Ely has seen my face, and it will not bode well if she unearths my identity.} Hajin transmitted a message to Arle, who quickly glanced at Ely.
They had already been introduced in this manner in the car, so Arle was not surprised to hear the transmission from her.
Arle acquired the entire situation of what had transpired in that realm directly through Iris.
"M-Miss Ely, let's transport Mother to the medical facility. It's the optimal choice. Take her to this hospital." Arle nervously glanced at Ely, who stood beside Iris, and provided an address.
At that moment, Iris lost consciousness and layed to the ground.
"Huh! Yes." Ely regained her composure, scooped Iris into her arms, and was out of view before anyone could mumble another sentence.
Arle eyed the blood on the ground and promptly incinerated it before someone could make contact with it from thin air.
It is unique blood, and if someone tested its traits for experimentation, they would harbor malice towards her mother knowing its rarest.
She looked at Nisho, then at Alex, who nonchalantly played with his phone. Veins protruding on her forehead, but she disregarded it for the time being and called Zeno.
"Hello, what is it Arle? Any issues?" On the other end, Zeno was perplexed. Her master had summoned her a few minutes prior, and now Arle was calling.
"I-I cannot explain, but Mother has fainted, and I'm heading to that hospital. Please come or send someone to assist me."
"Looks like our prediction was right… she will soon be on stage 3." Arle spoke with urgency and ended the call. She was about to depart, but Nisho halted her from her way.
"Do you know what happened to Iris? Please take me to the hospital." Nisho gazed at Arle miserably, who contemplated for a few seconds before responding curtly.
"I see... let's go, then."
***
At the hospital, Ely sat motionless on seat, a gloomy expression etched on her face as if all life had soaked from her body.
Outside of the emergency ward, She looked at the red light above the door, and a shudder ran through her frame.
Iris's condition had taken a dire turn, her body growing almost as cold as if she were no longer among the living, but a mere vessel devoid of the spark that once animated her.
The thought alone of her dying, shattered Ely's heart into innumerable ways, indication of mirror.
Though uncertain of Arle's reasons for admitting Iris to this particular facility, its proximity to their home had been a deciding factor in Ely's approval.
Unbeknownst to most, this hospital, Shen Shen, maintained a clandestine partnership with Eclipse Shadow, the result of Zeno's covert financial dealings and acquisition of a controlling 51% stake in the company through illicit means.
Arle, however, was privy to the truth – that other hospitals, upon founding Iris's unique bloodline and its remarkable life-sustaining properties, would face complications ill-suited to safeguarding her well-being.
Shen Shen, by virtue of its ally to Eclipse Shadow, could effectively cover any irregularities that might awaken, securing Iris's utmost protection.
—Tap! —Tap!
Ely gazed at the sound of tapping footsteps. She turned toward sound, watched Arle and Nisho hastening towards her with a sense of urgency.
"Is she still inside? What is the condition?" Arle glanced at the emergency room. After studying speechless Ely for a few moments, she distanced, contacting someone in hospital.
"Um, Dear, do you know something?" Nisho settled beside Ely, his voice laced with anxiety.
"She has a brain tumor, and there's a chance she may not survive beyond two years…"
Ely glared at him, her eyes crimson. "... Why are you speaking so gently even since Iris comes back home? As far as I recall, you never cared for her, and she has confided most things to me."
"I-I!" Nisho repeated with grief, taken aback back her full eyes.
"Oh, please, spare me your excuses. I'm aware of your coldness and how you failed to support Iris when Marvel bullied her. Who knows if her brain tumor resulted from depression or mental health issues?"
"W-Wait, No, stress does not cause brain tumors. As far as I know, Brain tumors develop due to a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, exposure to certain chemicals or radiation, and possibly other unknown environmental or genetic influences."
Nisho waved her hand in front of her face to deny the false accusations.
Ely gritted her teeth, "I always thought why didn't you intervene when Marvel bullied her? Why did you both turn a blind eye?"
Nisho's voice wavered as she averted her gaze. "I-... We were mistaken, but I cannot divulge the reasons... There are matters children should not be enlightened to. However, I love Mia; she is my chi-"
"Your child? Ha, hahahaha! It's the joke of the year. A parent doesn't let their child's mentally disturbed by them." Ely's countenance turned ashen as she laughed angrily, interrupting.
"How convenient for you to claim she is your child and that you cannot explain the reason! Then children should refrain from disclosing every transpire of theirs with their parents."
Ely inhaled deeply, composing herself since it was a hospital, not a residence for arguments.
Yet, she spoke hatefully, "Do as Iris instructed. Sign the name change petition. It would be better for everyone. Additionally... I will live with her in future because I know you will not accept what I am about to reveal in future."
"...And what is that?" Nisho's expression turned frigid as she sensed Ely's forthcoming words might bring ruin to the White family.
"Nothing but..." Ely gazed directly into her eyes, speaking fearlessly, "I'm in love with Gwen-"
—Slap!