Chapter 460

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

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

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

Camille's gaze lingered on Helena's ventilator-assisted form.

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

Lydia didn't press further.

Hugo and Selene stayed as well.

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

Only then did she finally leave to rest.

About ninety minutes after Camille's departure, Damien and Chloe arrived at the hospital.

Damien already knew about Camille's earlier visit.

He and Lydia agreed to keep vigil together, while Marcus would take Chloe home to sleep.

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

Clutching Damien'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."

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

Camille hadn't slept either.

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

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

"Thank you."

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

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

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

No further response came.

Thirty minutes later, Chloe arrived.

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

"Sleep now."

It was the first maternal embrace since mentioning divorce.

Nestled against her mother, Chloe's tension melted.

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

By morning, Helena remained unconscious.

After briefing the housekeeper, Camille and Marianne brought Chloe back to the hospital.

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

Noticing their entrance, both men paused.

Damien rose to greet them.

"You're here."

Camille nodded softly.

"Madam Hartwell," Damien acknowledged Marianne, who responded with a curt nod before moving to Helena's bedside.

With a morning meeting approaching, Camille prepared to leave after checking on Helena.

But Chloe clung to her sleeve.

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