Permanent Damage

"What?!" Everyone spoke in unison. Their high-pitched voice reached medical staff and patient's ears, successfully capturing everyone's attention.

However, as the doctor finished her sentence, Alfred was the first to react indifferently. His chest heaved upwards when he asked the doctor to repeat herself.

"I understand how you are feeling right now. I am sorry. We've done our best to save her throat, but the patient's vocal chords are permanently damaged. We cannot do anything to repair her vocal chords. She may not be able to speak in the future. At most, she can utter some vowels, but there could be miracles." The doctor repeated the results of the body examination.

"Doctor, I think you've confused the patients. We are asking about my wife, Jessica. She is suspected to be pregnant and was delivered to the emergency room because of a stomach ache." Alfred's muscles relaxed when he cleared up the misunderstanding.

"Oh, right. This reminded me. On our way to the hospital, I got a call saying Madam Wang collapsed. Instead of being taken to the police station, she was brought to the hospital. However, the spices and lime juice mixture shouldn't have caused irreparable damage to her vocals. It could cause her stomach to inflame and severe acid reflux....It could also cause her to have a hoarse voice.." Bryan's brows crinkled when he figured something didn't seem to sound right.

Selina pinched her chin and lowered her head slightly. After a minute of silence, she added to Bryan's statement. "no, I think something also doesn't add up here. We did combine various spices, but that should give her diarrhea or a burning stomach. Unless she is that unfortunate to have permanent vocal damage from this."

"Forget that for now! How is Jessica? Doctor, can you please double check for us?" Alfred didn't have the time nor patience to thoroughly examine the situation. His main focus was on his wife!

The moment he spouted his thoughts, another nurse stepped out of the emergency room followed by an Obstetrician-Gynecologist. Both of them removed the surgical gloves from their hands and tossed it to the nearest trash bin. "May I ask who is Jessica Wang's family?"

"I am! We are! We are all her family. How is she? How is my wife?" Everyone's head turned to face the duo who just came out of the other emergency room.

The nurse remained unfazed by the multiple pairs of eyes staring at her. "The patient and her baby are both fine. However, there were signs of miscarriage earlier. Please be careful and more attentive to the mother's emotions. Right now, it is very important for her to keep calm."

"You..you said...You said she and our baby is alright...Our baby... I...I..." The nurse's voice echoed like ringing bells to his ears. The joy on his face couldn't be contained as it stretched into a wide smile. Even when he covered half his face, everyone could tell he was smiling.

"Congratulations! You're going to be a father!" The crowd behind him circled around him, bringing Alfred back to reality. He shook his head and realized that he had long forgotten he wasn't waiting alone for his wife. His family and buddies were all here with him to celebrate this amazing moment.

"Yes! I am going to be a father!!!" Alfred wished to announce to the rest of the world, only to find the nurse shushing him and the crowd. He slapped his forehead, "sorry! I was too excited that I forgot I should ask about my wife first. Where is she right now?"

The nurse lightly coughed to hide the smile on her face. "Sir, you should be more worried about disturbing the patients and staffs at the hospital. I won't stop you from celebrating on becoming a father, but all of you shouldn't be shouting like this. Your wife will be wheeled to her private room soon. Just wait here and you will see her."

"Yes. We will pay attention to our voices. I am-" Alfred's voice was overpowered by someone else's voice before he could complete his sentence. The familiar voice sounded too close to be ignored. Hence, the crowd turned their attention to the middle-aged man who had just arrived - Master Wang.

"Doctor! Doctor! Somebody! Where is my wife?! My wife!!! She was viciously attacked by hooligans to drink spiced lime sauce at our son's wedding! I received a call! Who called me?! Was it you? Or you?! Who???" Master Wang nearly laid his hands on everyone's collar as he made his way down the hallway.

"Well, it isn't everyday where we get patients with anxious family members, especially one who has spice sauce shoved down their throat." One of the nurses muttered. As soon as she said these words, the doctor next to her elbowed her. It was a signal for her to not speak another word.

"Hello, may I ask if you are the family member of Mrs. Wang? She was admitted to the hospital because she collapsed after swallowing a large amount of spiced sauce. The police officers were the ones who sent her here." The doctor stepped up to interrupt Master Wang from disturbing other people.

"Yes! I am her husband! Where is she? How is she? She must have been tormented! It is all that vixen. It is all that vixen's fault for seducing my son! Look at my poor wife..." He sobbed in front of everyone with the thoughts of gaining sympathy from his audience. Prior to his dramatic entrance and countless collar grabbing, he had purposely dripped eyedrops to his eyes.

"I am sorry, but your wife's vocal chords are permanently damaged. Her voice is irreparable at this point. Perhaps she would be able to speak a few words in the future, but mainly only vowels. We are very sorry about her condition. Please do comfort and support your wife when she wakes up later." The doctor sighed and walked away after announcing Madam Wang's results.

"I..Impossible. Impossible!" Master Wang nearly stumbled to the tiled floor.