Chapter 4 She's dying

Rachel stood in the hospital room, her eyes wide with shock after hearing what Jesse just said. For a moment, the room went quiet. Everyone turned to look at him. Even Rachel couldn't believe her ears.

Her face slowly changed from surprise to anger. She didn't care who was watching. Without thinking, she stormed across the room and slapped Jesse hard across the face. The sound echoed.

Jesse didn't say anything. He placed a hand on his cheek where she had hit him. It stung, but he remained still.

The people in the room didn't hide how they felt. Most of them supported Rachel. Some whispered among themselves, calling Jesse names. A few even chuckled, happy to see him embarrassed.

Rachel's grandmother, who lay on the hospital bed, also noticed what happened. She smiled slightly as if pleased. If she had the strength, she would have slapped Jesse herself. She tried to sit up, but a nurse gently told her to relax.

"Is this really the time for this, Jesse?" Rachel asked him, her voice low but full of rage.

Jesse kept quiet, looking at her. He wanted to speak, but he knew she wasn't ready to hear him.

"I asked you not to say anything while we were here. Not in front of my family. Why can't you ever just listen for once?" Rachel continued, her hands shaking.

"He wants me gone! It's clear now!" Rachel's grandmother shouted from the bed, pointing at Jesse. Her voice, though weak, was sharp.

"Who knows if he's the one who poisoned her?" someone from the back said. Others nodded. Some murmured, agreeing without saying much.

Rachel turned to look at Jesse again, but this time her eyes were full of tears. Her emotions were all over the place. She was hurt, angry, tired, and confused.

"I really don't know what to say to you anymore," she whispered. "Just... just leave, Jesse. Please. Just go."

Jesse stood there for a while, staring at her. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to explain. He wanted to help. He wasn't trying to hurt her or cause trouble. But nobody wanted to hear what he had to say.

Then Raymond stepped forward, standing beside Rachel. "You heard her. Get out," he said with no emotion. Then he placed a hand on Rachel's back to comfort her, like he was taking Jesse's place.

That made Jesse feel even worse. He could see how Raymond had slowly taken over the space he used to hold in Rachel's life. And now, everyone was allowing it. The entire family had picked a side, and it wasn't his.

Jesse let out a deep sigh. He bent down, placed the fruit basket he brought on the table, and turned to leave. As he walked out, he glanced at the doctor who had entered earlier. Their eyes met.

Jesse gave the doctor a look that seemed to say, "You know I was right." But the doctor, Larry, only stared back with a cold, blank expression.

Rachel, now calmer, returned to her grandmother's side. Raymond followed her.

"How are you feeling, Grandma?" she asked softly.

"Better, now that he's gone," the old woman replied with a smirk. She tried to sit up again but groaned slightly.

"I'm glad you're feeling okay," Rachel said, though deep down, she couldn't stop thinking about Jesse's words.

"Don't let that man ruin your life anymore," Grandma said. "He brings you nothing but stress. Maybe it's time you let him go."

"Not this again, Grandma," Rachel muttered.

"Yes, this again," her grandma said firmly. "You deserve peace, and he doesn't give you that. You need someone who truly cares for you."

Rachel glanced at Raymond, who smiled and gently held her hand. Grandma noticed and gave a little approving nod.

"You really should eat something," Rachel said, trying to change the topic. She picked up an apple and handed it to her grandma.

"I don't feel like eating," the old woman replied.

"But you need to. Doctor's orders," Rachel said, forcing a smile.

Dr. Larry walked over. "You need to eat to keep your strength up," he said in a calm voice.

"See? Even the doctor agrees," Rachel added.

"Alright, alright," Grandma said with a playful sigh. She took the apple and bit into it slowly.

Raymond walked over to the doctor. "You did great. Thank you, doctor."

"I know," Larry replied with a short smile.

"When Jesse spoke earlier... why didn't you correct him or say something?" Raymond asked.

Larry looked at him, frowning a little. "Because there was nothing to correct. People say things when they are upset. My work speaks for itself. I don't need to argue with someone like that."

"Makes sense," Raymond replied.

"He just wanted attention. I don't give attention to people who don't deserve it," the doctor added.

Suddenly, Rachel's grandmother began to cough. At first, it was small, but it quickly got worse.

"Grandma?" Rachel said, turning to her.

The coughing didn't stop. The old woman dropped the apple and leaned forward, clutching her chest.

"Ma, what's wrong?" Rachel cried out.

Everyone in the room stood up quickly.

The old woman coughed again-this time, blood came out of her mouth.

Panic hit the room.

"Somebody help! She's dying!" Rachel screamed at the top of her lungs.

The doctor rushed forward, pushing past people. "Everyone step back! Give her space!"

Rachel tried to hold her grandmother, but the doctor told her to move. Raymond pulled her gently away as Larry took over.

"Get me oxygen! Now!" the doctor barked to the nurses.

Rachel was shaking. She looked at her grandmother and then at the blood on her own hands. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

In that moment, all her anger at Jesse disappeared. Fear took over. The one person she loved most was slipping away right in front of her.

And Jesse was no longer there to help.