Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David) novel Chapter 218

"Alright, Matthew, go change and get some rest. I'll stay here with Elliot, and Austin's inside with Xavier. It'll be fine. Dad called, and they're on their way back." Joseph looked at Matthew, whose face was pale and drawn.

"I'll stay until Xavier's out of surgery. I can't leave, this is his first time getting hurt this badly."

He wouldn't be persuaded, so Joseph just sighed and let him be.

Inside the operating room, the sound of medical instruments filled the air as the surgery had already stretched on for nearly ten hours. Xavier had sustained severe injuries, and because he hadn't been brought to the hospital on time, his condition was critical.

Some of the doctors weren't even sure if he would make it.

Austin, though not originally from St. Katherine's Hospital, had been asked by Ethan to take over the operation given his expertise.

"Not good, the patient's losing a lot of blood. Go to the blood bank and get more." One of the doctors ordered urgently.

"RH negative." Austin's voice was cold, like steel.

"The blood of that type was already used on another patient. We can't get it here in time—if we need more, we'll have to go to another hospital." The nurse answered in a panic.

"What are you waiting for? Go now!" Austin barked, his voice hoarse with frustration.

The nurse rushed out in a hurry.

"Mr. Darling, it's looking like Xavier might not make it." One of the doctors said quietly, trying to break the news without being too blunt.

"Shut up." Austin's gaze was bloodshot as he glared at the doctor. He wasn't going to let Xavier die. He couldn't.

"As long as there's still breath in the patient, we don't give up. Do you understand that?" Ethan glared at the doctor, his anger simmering under the surface. If anything were to happen to Xavier here, the entire Darling family would make sure to turn this hospital upside down.

The nurse rushed in, her face pale as she closed the door behind her. She had no trace of panic left.

"What happened to the patient inside?" Jaden stepped forward, his voice full of authority.

"The surgery is going fine. Nothing major to worry about." The nurse answered, keeping her tone calm, but she didn't mention the fact that Xavier was still waiting for blood.

"Then why are you coming out?" Jaden's sharp eyes narrowed, noticing the small flicker of panic that had crossed the nurse's face.

The other members of the Darling family had arrived by then, and they looked just as concerned.

"Mr. Davis asked me to get medicine. You're wasting time. If we don't hurry, we'll lose the patient we just brought back." The nurse explained quickly, her eyes darting nervously.

Jaden didn't press further, not wanting to delay things.

*****

The minutes passed, but the nurse still hadn't returned. Ethan's voice broke the silence. "Where's the blood?" he asked.

The team of doctors was still doing everything they could to keep Xavier alive. Austin was growing increasingly restless, his instincts telling him something was wrong.

"Go find Matthew or Mr. Johnson and get that blood. Quickly." One of the doctors ran out, his voice full of urgency.

"Doctor, is Xavier okay?" Joseph rushed over, his voice full of concern.

"Xavier's lost a lot of blood. His blood type is rare, and the nurse hasn't been able to get the blood yet. Mr. Darling said to find you. The situation is critical now."

The doctor looked almost desperate.

"Our blood bank is out of RH-negative blood. I'm going to try other hospitals, but you should be able to get it faster than we can. If you do, bring it here, please."

As the doctor finished speaking, Jaden was already pulling out his phone to make calls. Joseph was doing the same, arranging for helicopters to bring blood from other hospitals.

"Something's wrong with that nurse." Elliot's eyes were cold, his gaze full of suspicion.

"She's still out cold. Why?" David's voice sounded calm, but something in his tone told Jaden that Danielle's brothers were already thinking the same thing—Danielle was their best hope. Her medical expertise could be their salvation.

The three of them leaned in, all eyes glued to Jaden's phone.

"Xavier's still in surgery, and his condition is worsening. Can Danielle take a look remotely? Or should I send a helicopter to get you?" Jaden's tone was unusually soft, pleading even.

"I'm Danielle, Mr. Johnson. Please give the phone to the head surgeon. I'll be there as quickly as I can." Danielle's voice was firm and soothing, like a balm for their nerves. As soon as they heard her confident words, they all felt a surge of hope. Xavier might still have a chance.

"Alright." Jaden passed the phone to the surgeon after a quick exchange with the others.

"Tell me the patient's condition. Point the camera at him." Danielle's voice rang out clearly through the phone.

Austin, who had just heard Danielle's voice, turned to look at her, his attention now fully focused on the task at hand.

Ethan quickly summarized Xavier's condition.

"Miss Darling, Xavier's vital signs are continuously declining. How soon can you get here?"

Ethan watched as Danielle's eyes seemed to light up, her gaze sharpening with a quiet intensity. To him, it was like seeing a beacon of hope. He knew her reputation—if anyone could save Xavier, it was her. But hadn't she been poisoned just recently? How could she be up and about so soon?

"Prepare a medical kit. I'll teach you some acupressure points that should stop the bleeding."

"Get the medical kit, fast!" Ethan barked.

Moments later, the kit was delivered.

"Austin, Ethan, you need to press these two acupressure points simultaneously." Danielle's voice was firm, filled with authority.

"Miss Darling, I'm afraid I might mess it up." Ethan hesitated, unsure whether he could do this without causing harm. If he made a mistake, he might make everything worse. He wasn't so sure he wanted to be the one to take the risk.