There's a Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Felinette spy au)

Detour to the Hospital

Chapter 25: Detour to the Hospital 

The soft chime of the bell above the fabric store door was drowned out by the escalating commotion inside. The cashier, who had watched Marinette browsing the aisles with increasing unease, bolted from behind the counter when she saw the young woman collapse.

Marinette lay unconscious on the floor, her breathing shallow but steady. The cashier pulled out her phone with trembling hands and dialed 911, her voice shaking as she explained the situation.

"There's a young woman—she just fainted. She's not waking up! Please send an ambulance quickly."

The dispatcher's calm voice guided her through the steps, assuring her that help was on the way. Moments later, the distant wail of sirens grew louder, until the paramedics burst through the store's front doors with a stretcher in tow.

The paramedics moved with practiced precision. One checked Marinette's pulse and breathing, murmuring reassuring words to the unconscious girl, while the other asked the cashier for details.

"She just... collapsed out of nowhere. She mentioned a headache earlier, but I didn't think it would be this bad—"

"It's okay," the paramedic said, his tone calm and professional. "You did the right thing by calling us."

Marinette was carefully lifted onto the stretcher, her pale face framed by strands of dark hair. The paramedics secured her and wheeled her out to the waiting ambulance, its red and white lights casting eerie patterns on the surrounding storefronts.

At the hospital, the emergency room buzzed with controlled chaos. Nurses and doctors rushed around, connecting Marinette to monitors and taking her vitals. A young nurse retrieved Marinette's phone from her bag, scrolling through her contacts to find someone to notify.

"Emergency contact... Felix Graham de Vanily. Let's try him first," she said, dialing the number.

Felix was in a sleek conference room at Vanguard Operations, his phone buzzing insistently on the table. He glanced at the caller ID and frowned, excusing himself to take the call.

"This is Felix."

"Mr. Graham de Vanily, this is Nurse Clara from Saint Charles Medical Center. I'm calling about Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She's been brought in after an episode—"

Felix's sharp intake of breath interrupted her. "What happened to her? Is she hurt?"

"She experienced a fainting episode, likely due to a condition called vasovagal syncope. She's stable now, but we're running tests to ensure there are no underlying complications. We wanted to let you know, as you're listed as an emergency contact."

"I'm on my way," Felix said instantly, his voice taut with worry. "Do whatever you have to do to make sure she's okay. I'll be there as soon as I can."

He hung up, already striding toward the exit, his earlier professional demeanor replaced by barely concealed panic.

Meanwhile, Alya's phone buzzed loudly on her desk, interrupting her as she sifted through surveillance reports. Seeing the unfamiliar number, she hesitated before answering.

"Hello?"

"Is this Alya Césaire?"

"Yes, who's asking?"

"This is Nurse Clara from Saint Charles Medical Center. Marinette Dupain-Cheng has been brought in after fainting. She's stable, but we're running some tests. We thought you'd want to know."

Alya's hand tightened around her phone. "Oh my God. Is she okay? Can I see her?"

"She's stable, but we'd recommend giving her a little time to rest before visitors arrive."