Chapter 460

The doctors couldn't predict when Eleanor would regain consciousness.

Isabella remained at the hospital with the family for more than an hour.

When Eleanor still showed no signs of waking, Catherine suggested gently, "You should head home first. I'll contact you immediately if there's any change in her condition."

Isabella's gaze lingered on Eleanor's ventilator-assisted form.

After glancing at her watch, she responded, "It's still early. I'd prefer to stay a while longer."

Catherine didn't press further.

Henry and Victoria stayed as well.

Isabella waited until nearly midnight when the doctors confirmed Eleanor's vitals had stabilized but cautioned she wouldn't wake soon.

Only then did she finally leave to rest.

About ninety minutes after Isabella's departure, Alexander and Sophia arrived at the hospital.

Alexander already knew about Isabella's earlier visit.

He and Catherine agreed to keep vigil together, while Richard would take Sophia home to sleep.

For Sophia, this marked her first direct encounter with mortality's fragility.

Clutching Alexander's waist, she buried her face against his chest, eyes welling with frightened tears.

"I don't want to go home. I need to see Grandma."

Alexander lifted her effortlessly, checking the time.

"It's nearly 1 AM. She's probably asleep already. Let me check first."

"Can I call—"

"I'll handle it," Alexander assured, pulling out his phone to text Isabella: "Still awake? Sophia and I are at the hospital. I'm staying overnight with Grandma. Seeing her condition frightened Sophia—she wants to come to you. Would that be alright?"

Isabella hadn't slept either.

Though exhausted, memories of her own grandfather's medical crisis at Sophia's age kept her awake with shared anxiety.

Reading Alexander's message, she instantly replied: "Bring her here."

"Thank you."

As Isabella set her phone down to fetch water, another message arrived: "Can we delay the divorce proceedings for now?"

She understood he meant waiting until Eleanor's condition improved.

After a brief hesitation, she typed: "Agreed."

No further response came.

Thirty minutes later, Sophia arrived.

After helping her bathe and tucking her in, Isabella drew the girl close, stroking her hair gently.

"Sleep now."

It was the first maternal embrace since mentioning divorce.

Nestled against her mother, Sophia's tension melted.

Exhausted from the day's emotional turmoil, she soon drifted off.

By morning, Eleanor remained unconscious.

After briefing the housekeeper, Isabella and Margaret brought Sophia back to the hospital.

Alexander appeared swamped with work—when they arrived at eight, he was already deep in discussion with Benjamin, documents spread across the table.

Noticing their entrance, both men paused.

Alexander rose to greet them.

"You're here."

Isabella nodded softly.

"Madam Sinclair," Alexander acknowledged Margaret, who responded with a curt nod before moving to Eleanor's bedside.

With a morning meeting approaching, Isabella prepared to leave after checking on Eleanor.

But Sophia clung to her sleeve.

"Mom, I want to stay with you. Can I come to your office?"