Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 99

After returning from Annecy, France, Drake had been diagnosed with severe depression and admitted to hospital for treatment.

During his stay, many people came to visit him.

But never Gabriella.

Each time the door to his room opened, Drake would hold his breath in nervous anticipation, staring hopefully at the entrance.

But every time, his hopes were dashed, and he would lower his eyes and slump his shoulders in disappointment.

From dawn until dusk, he waited, but the one person he longed to see never came.

Drake's heart ached unbearably. He thought in despair that his Gabriella truly would never return to him.

Gabriella, without you, what's the point of living?

...

At dinnertime, Margaret arrived with a care worker to bring Drake his meal.

The moment she pushed open the door, Margaret let out a piercing scream, dropping the insulated food container and rushing forward.

"Drake!"

Margaret grabbed Drake's arm. "Drake, what are you doing? Stop it right now! Oh my God, no!"

When she had entered, she'd seen Drake gripping a fruit knife, slashing at his wrist!

Margaret wept uncontrollably. "What are you thinking? Why would you do something so crazy? What would I do without you? Oh God, Drake, please..."

Blood had already soaked the bedsheets. Drake had made a deep gash across his wrist, and blood was flowing freely.

Drake's eyes were vacant, his expression blank. He hadn't registered a single word Margaret had said.

His mind was filled with only one thought: Gabriella didn't want him anymore. Gabriella would never come back.

The pain made it difficult to breathe. He felt utterly hopeless, as though life held no meaning.

It hurts so much, Gabriella.

My heart is in agony.

The care worker was terrified and ran out into the corridor, shouting for help.

Doctors and nurses quickly arrived.

Drake was rushed to the emergency room.

Margaret collapsed in the corridor, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Oh God, this can't be happening! How could he do this to himself? My poor baby..."

...

Gabriella received Margaret's call just as she was leaving the hospital.

It was minus five degrees outside. Gabriella had gotten into her car and turned on the heating when her mobile rang, displaying an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Gabriella, it's Margaret Ashcroft. You need to come to the hospital right away. Drake tried to kill himself because of you. The doctors saved him, but they're saying he doesn't want to live. I know I was horrible to you before, and I'm truly sorry, but please help save my son. He's all I have!"

Gabriella froze.

"What do you mean, suicide?"

Drake had attempted suicide?

Gabriella couldn't comprehend what she was hearing.

She simply couldn't associate the word "suicide" with Drake.

Someone like him would never attempt suicide.

Margaret was sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath.

"Did Drake come to see you last night?" Margaret managed to ask, trying to control her crying.

"Yes."

More sobbing came through the phone.

"He was found collapsed in the snow last night. When I came to see him today, I walked in to find him cutting his wrist open. What happened between you two? What did you say to him? Why would he try to kill himself?"

Gabriella frowned. "I didn't do anything to him."