Chapter 12

Meeting Richard's anxious gaze, Maria found the whole scene bitterly ironic. He looked so cautious, as if afraid she had overheard something she shouldn't have—as if afraid she would be hurt.

And yet, he had done plenty to chill her heart behind her back.

A fake marriage certificate. Bringing Eleanor back as his secretary. Protecting Eleanor even when she was unwell…

Every single one of them inflicted bloody wounds in her heart.

Maria looked away and replied flatly, "I wasn't feeling well before I went to find you. I fainted outside the bar, that's all. I didn't hear anything."

Before Richard could relax, Maria suddenly asked, "But… What are you so afraid I might hear?"

Her gaze was clear, direct.

For a split second, Richard was thrown off. Remembering his friends' shameless teasing and the way he had snapped at them, ending the night badly, he forced a weak smile.

"No, I just didn't want you to see how much I drank and worry or get angry at me."

Maria looked at him, her tone serious. "I won't."

Richard tried to play it off with a natural smile, brushing everything that happened at the bar with a sentence. "You won't worry? Or you won't be angry?"

This was the kind of teasing they had used to share. She would have pouted, pretended to be annoyed, and played along.

But not anymore.

Richard wasn't her husband. Maria wouldn't act coy for him, and wouldn't worry about him drinking out with friends. That was Eleanor's job now.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.

The doctor came in, his face serious.

Richard got up, his smiling expression gone. "Doctor, how did the tests go?"

Maria's heart tensed.

Tests?

The doctor might mention her condition.

She frowned, sitting up.

The doctor glanced at her chart and shook his head. "Mrs. Shaw's indicators are all off, especially the frequent nosebleeds, which have left her weak and anemic. If this goes on, she'll just get even more anemic, and her fainting spells will only get worse."

Maria loosened her grip on the bedsheet.

Of course.

She hadn't done a CT scan. Regular tests wouldn't show a brain tumor.

But Richard didn't relax, his chest visibly tight with worry. He frowned and asked, "What's causing the nosebleeds?"

"It's hard to say. It could be dry weather, lack of rest, stress, allergies… Lots of things. Maybe do a blood test?" The doctor looked at Maria, waiting for her answer.

Maria shook her head. "No need. Last time I checked, the doctor said it was just overwork."

The doctor nodded, gave a few instructions, and took out her IV.

Maria leaned back to rest.

Richard went over her test results several times, then pulled out his phone to search what her abnormal readings meant and how to improve them.

Maria, watching his diligent and loving husband act, almost wanted to tell him to stop. No need to keep pretending and play the devoted spouse in front of her. It was so fake that it just made her feel sick.

"I need to rest," she hinted gently.

"Okay."

But Richard didn't leave. He put on his jacket, settling in to stay with her.

"I'll call in a doctor who specializes in holistic medicine, see what we can do to restore your vitality. Don't worry, he's excellent. He'll know exactly what's wrong by simply checking your pulse."

Maria pressed her lips together and turned away. She'd be dead soon… What was the point of taking any supplements?

Richard didn't notice anything amiss. He tucked her in, saying softly, "Get some sleep. I'll be right here."

Before Maria could refuse, someone appeared at the door.

"Can I come in? Hope I'm not interrupting."

She looked up to see Eleanor, smiling sweetly in her hospital gown, her gaze gentle.

Richard got up immediately. "You're supposed to be resting because of your heart! Why are you here?"

Seeing how eagerly he rushed to greet her, Maria felt a pang in her chest.

Eleanor said softly, "The room felt stuffy. When I went out for a walk, I saw your car. That's when I found out you brought Maria to the hospital."

She peeked past Richard. "Are you alright, Maria?"

Maria paused. Since when were she and Eleanor on a first-name basis?

Maria replied distantly, "Much better. No need to trouble yourself, Ms. Cooper."

Eleanor brought her purse in. "Oh, don't say that! Richard and I are so close. His wife is like family to me."

She winked at Richard. Richard's lips tightened, giving a nervous glance at Maria, afraid she would be upset.

Maria looked at the real husband and wife. One acting magnanimous, the other anxious and guilty. It was almost funny.

"Ms. Cooper, please leave. I need to rest," Maria said.

Eleanor wasn't bothered. She went over and pulled something from her bag.

"I just wanted to bring you something to eat. It's late, so you must be hungry. Have something so you won't feel that hungry."

She took out a banana and a transparent lunchbox full of beef and veggies.

Richard smiled. "That's very thoughtful. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. For you…and your wife, this is normal, right?" Eleanor said. She opened the lunchbox, setting it in front of Maria.

Maria showed no emotion on her face. "I'm not hungry."

Eleanor looked briefly hurt, biting her lip. "Are you upset with me?"

Maria was blunt. "We're not friends. I don't feel like eating, and I don't take food from strangers. Is that hard to understand?"

Eleanor's face reddened, and she looked down. "Sorry… I guess I overstepped. I just thought that with Richard here, he'd definitely get you something to eat. I didn't think it through."

Richard gently covered Maria's hand. "Mari, Eleanor means well. You're being too harsh."

Maria frowned. "I was just being honest. What did I say that was wrong?"

Eleanor jumped in, "Alright, alright. Don't fight over me, or I'll feel terrible. If Maria won't eat them, I'll just take them back."

She stuffed the lunchbox back into her bag, and something fell out. Maria looked down, and her heart stung at the sight of that deep red.

It was a marriage certificate, and now, it intruded into her sight without any warning.

Without either of them having the time to react, Maria picked it up and opened it directly.