Chapter 3

During an earlier examination, Chase Moore told Rowan that her illness was progressing quickly. The tumor was pressing on a blood vessel, which could cause nosebleeds.

Once the nosebleeds started, it would mean her condition was getting worse.

Chase was her doctor and her friend. He was also the only person who knew she was ill.

Rowan wasn’t hiding her illness to be dramatic.

There was simply no treatment left that could help her.

If they knew the truth, they would spend her remaining days watching her die, unable to help. It would only make things more painful for everyone.

She decided Chase could tell them after she was gone.

He could tell them she passed away peacefully, with nothing troubling her in the end.

Perhaps that would spare them all some pain and tears.

She didn’t know how Ian would react when she was gone.

He would probably be relieved. He would no longer be bound to her by responsibility and gratitude, and he could finally pursue the woman he loved.

Perhaps it was because she had so little time left.

Lately, Rowan often thought about the past, about the Ian who once would have given her anything she asked for.

He had been so good to her then.

He helped her with math problems she couldn’t solve.

When it rained, he carried her across puddles. He waited outside her classroom every day when school ended.

If a boy showed an interest in her, one icy look from Ian was enough to scare him off.

He even gave up the chance to study at a renowned university overseas and chose a university in her city so he could keep looking after her.

But all of that happened before he met Tina.

Sometimes Rowan wondered whether things would have turned out differently if she had insisted that Ian go overseas. He wouldn’t have met Tina.

But there was no way to know, and she couldn’t turn back time.

The nosebleed meant Rowan needed another examination at the hospital.

She picked up some medication while she was there.

When they left the hospital, Chase insisted on driving her home.

He said she wasn’t well enough to drive herself.

Rowan argued with him, but he wouldn’t give in. In the end, she accepted the ride.

When they reached her building, Rowan twisted her ankle as she got out of the car.

She managed a few steps before her ankle began to swell. Chase couldn’t bear to watch her struggle. He crouched down in front of her.

“Get on. I’ll carry you upstairs.”

Rowan refused at once, but Chase took hold of her and pulled her onto his back.

“Why are you making such a fuss? You’re my patient. I’m supposed to take care of you.”

After that, she felt she could hardly refuse him again.

When they reached her door, Rowan looped her bag around Chase’s neck and looked down to find her keys. Then she caught sight of a familiar figure nearby.

Her gaze traveled up his long legs and met Ian’s cold, angry eyes.

She hurried off Chase’s back and stood awkwardly before Ian.

Ian gave a cold smirk.

Without a word, he ignored them both, unlocked the door, and went inside.

Rowan’s thoughts were in turmoil. She thanked Chase and followed Ian in.

“Why are you home so early today?”

Ian took off his jacket and sat on the sofa with his legs crossed.

The coldness in his eyes stung.

“If you’ve found someone new, why are you still living here?”

Rowan looked up, searching his eyes for even a trace of jealousy.

His gaze shifted, but she saw nothing beyond coldness and distance.

If she had found someone else, he would probably welcome it.

How could she still hope he might be jealous?

Her chest ached.

She didn’t answer him and changed the subject instead.

“Tomorrow’s Mom’s birthday. She invited us over for dinner. Will you come?”