Chapter 5: Awakening from a Coma

When the ambulance arrived, both Alicia and Eleanor were in a coma. Paramedics carefully extracted them from the warped car and quickly transported them to the nearest hospital.

In the hospital, Eleanor woke up earlier. Despite the pain all over her body, she insisted on visiting her daughter. With the doctor's persuasion, she reluctantly agreed to undergo the necessary tests and treatment first.

"Mrs Stewart, your injuries are not serious, but you need to rest," the attending doctor said seriously, "Your daughter's situation is more complicated and she is still in the intensive care unit. We are doing our best to save her."

Eleanor's heart was like a knife, and she couldn't stop the tears from flowing down, "Please, you must save my daughter!"

Meanwhile, in a luxurious villa on the other side of the city, William and Richard were raising their glasses in celebration.

"The plan went well," William said smugly, "That ungrateful girl should have shut up for good."

Richard nodded, a sinister glint in his eyes, "Yeah, big brother. Without Alicia as a stumbling block, the Stewart family property is ours."

William frowned, "Don't get too happy. We still have to make sure she really can't wake up again."

Richard sneered, "Don't worry, I've already made the arrangements. We have our people over at the hospital and will make sure everything goes according to plan."

The two men smiled at each other and poured another glass of champagne each.

Back at the hospital, Eleanor stood guard outside the ICU, anxiously waiting for news of her daughter. Every second was torture for her. She kept praying that God would keep her daughter safe.

A few hours later, the attending doctor walked out. Eleanor immediately stood up and nervously asked, "Doctor, how is my daughter?"

The doctor sighed, "Mrs Stewart, your daughter's condition is not good. She suffered a severe brain trauma and is still in a deep coma. We are doing our best to save her life, but ......"

Eleanor felt a heavenly spin as she held onto the wall before she could barely stand." But what? Doctor, please, you must save my daughter's life!"

The doctor looked at her sympathetically, "We'll do everything we can. However, even if she makes it through the dangerous period, she will most likely be left with permanent brain damage. You have to be psychologically prepared."

Eleanor felt the WHOLE WORLD fall apart. She fell into a chair and burst into tears. She thought of Alicia from her childhood, of her strength and bravery, of her bright future ...... Now it could all be in vain.

Just then, a nurse rushed in, "Doctor, the patient's vital signs are showing abnormal fluctuations!"

The doctor immediately rushed into the intensive care unit, and Eleanor wanted to follow her in, but was stopped by the nurse. She could only wait anxiously outside the door, praying for a miracle.

Meanwhile, William and Richard received a message from an informant inside the hospital.

"Big brother, there's a new situation," Richard put down the phone and looked grave, "That girl's vital signs have suddenly fluctuated. The doctors are doing their best to resuscitate her."

William frowned, "How could this happen? I thought we were assured she wouldn't wake up?"

Richard gritted his teeth, "It seems we underestimated her will to live. But don't worry, I've asked our people to think of something. No matter what, never let her wake up!"

William nodded, "Very well. Remember, make sure to do it cleanly and without leaving any traces."

Back at the hospital, after the doctors' efforts, Alicia's condition was temporarily stabilised. Although she was still in a coma, her vital signs had improved significantly.

Eleanor was finally allowed to enter the ICU to see her daughter. She carefully held Alicia's hand and whispered, "Honey, mummy is here. You must be strong, you must wake up ......"

Just then, Alicia's fingers moved slightly. Eleanor was surprised and called the doctor. After examination, the doctor confirmed that Alicia's brain activity had returned, which was a positive sign.

"Mrs Stewart, your daughter's will to live is very strong. Although we can't draw any conclusions yet, the situation is better than we expected. Keep up the hope and patience and I'm sure she'll pull through." The doctor encouraged.

Eleanor nodded gratefully with renewed hope. She decided to stay by her daughter's side day and night until she awoke.

After weeks of being in a coma, Alicia finally woke up in the hospital. The sunlight poured through the blinds on the hospital bed, warm and bright. She slowly opened her eyes, her vision coming into focus, and saw that her mother, Eleanor, was guarding her bedside, tears glistening in her tired but hopeful eyes.

"Mum?" Alicia called out softly, her voice hoarse from a long period of disuse.

Eleanor immediately took her daughter's hand in hers, too emotional to speak. She just kept nodding, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Oh, thank God! Alicia, you're finally awake!" Eleanor choked out, "We were worried sick."

Alicia tried to sit up, but was too weak to do more than gently squeeze out a smile." What happened? Why am I in the hospital?"

Eleanor wiped away her tears and took a deep breath to calm her emotions." We were in a car accident, honey. Right after the charity dinner. You were hurt pretty bad and you've been in a coma. The doctors said ......" She didn't say any more, just held her daughter's hand tightly.

At that moment, the attending doctor and a couple of nurses rushed in and began to perform various tests on Alicia.

"Miss Stewart, I'm glad to see you wake up." The doctor said while checking the data on the monitor, "Your vital signs seem quite stable, which is a good sign. But we still need to do some detailed tests to make sure everything is okay."

Over the next few hours, Alicia went through a series of checks and tests. Though tired, she was becoming more and more aware. Scenes from the night of the crash began to flash through her mind as memories slowly returned.

In the evening, when the ward was finally quiet and only Eleanor was left with her, Alicia whispered, "Mum, I remember the car accident. The car that hit us, it was on purpose."

Eleanor blushed and looked around warily to make sure no one else was listening." Are you sure, honey? The police said it was just an accident."

Alicia nodded firmly, "I'm pretty sure. That car was waiting for us and it suddenly accelerated and rushed us. Mum, I think someone wants us dead."

Eleanor was silent for a moment, a complex look flashing in her eyes." Alicia, listen to me. Don't mention this to anyone right now, including the police. We need to be careful."

Alicia looked at her mother in confusion, "Why? We should call the police and let them re-investigate."

Eleanor held her daughter's hand tightly, "Trust me, honey. Right now we don't know who's behind this or how much power they have. Acting rashly may put us in greater danger."

Alicia nodded thoughtfully. She knew that her mother had always been cautious, and since she was so vigilant, she must have her reasons.