INICIAR SESIÓNBack in the hematology ward, Quentin stood frozen in the hallway long after Talia left. When he finally moved, he realized he'd drawn an audience.He knew exactly what those looks meant. They were all waiting to see him fall apart.The discomfort hit him like a wave, and he snapped. "What are you looking at? Get lost. All of you."The crowd scattered after that, guilt written on their faces.Once the gawkers were gone, Quentin finally noticed Monica standing a short distance away. She was in her white coat, her long hair pulled into a low bun. Her makeup was so subtle that it was almost invisible, but that understated touch made her look effortlessly polished and striking.There was no denying it. By the standards of the medical world, Monica was easily the most beautiful woman in the building.Quentin looked at her and read the pity and concern in her eyes without trying. It lasted only a second before he turned away. He had no interest in staying, and he headed for the elevator
Christian's words rang in Talia's ears, and each one sent a chill spreading through her chest.Talia tilted her chin up to look at him, her voice dripping with indifference. "You think I wanted to come back?"Christian's hand slid from her jaw to her cheeks. He squeezed hard, his voice dropping to something dark and dangerous. "Whether you want to or not, you don't get a choice."It wasn't a request. It was an order. He shoved her into the car before she could respond, ignoring the tears on her face and the panic in her eyes as he pushed her roughly into the back seat.Outside, the crowd wasted no time."Is that woman stupid? The guy's obviously abusive, and she's still going with him.""Who knows. He's probably rich. If all you have to do is take your clothes off to solve your money problems, who wouldn't?""Can't blame her. Look at the car. That's a Maserati.""It's their business. She's willing to put up with it; he's willing to dish it out. Nothing to do with us."Inside t
Talia stepped into the elevator, which was packed wall to wall. Squeezed in the middle of the crowd, she lowered her head as tears poured down her face.She didn't know what the people around her thought, and she didn't care. She couldn't control it. Her body shook with sobs, and her nose was so congested that she could barely breathe.Quentin was a good man. He made her happy, gave her experiences she'd never had before, and showed her what it felt like to be truly loved.She wanted nothing more than to hold onto him. However, she wanted to save Henry more.Christian's threat still echoed in her ears. "If you keep things going with Quentin, I will never save Henry. Not in this lifetime."That single remark was enough to make her surrender everything.She didn't know how long the ride took, but the elevator finally reached the ground floor. The crush of bodies spilled out, and Talia drifted along with them, moving on autopilot.The sun was blazing outside. The moment she stepped
When Talia turned to face Quentin, her expression was cold and blank. There wasn't a trace of warmth left on her face, and the eyes glaring back at Quentin were filled with nothing but fury.Every single word she ground out through clenched teeth was a blade, each one precise and sharp, driving straight into his chest.The same mouth that had once said things that made him feel like the luckiest man alive was now saying things that shattered him. He could feel something in his chest caving in, and he swore he could hear his own heart breaking.He stared at her, stunned and lost, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. "Do you mean that?"Gone was the confident, self-assured man he'd always been. He stood there like a hollow shell, stripped of everything. His eyes were empty.Talia met his gaze, and the pain slicing through her own heart was nearly unbearable. But she swallowed it down and forced out every syllable. "Every word. It's as real as it gets."Even then, Quentin shook hi
The atmosphere in the office told Talia everything she needed to know. She was about to receive some bad news.The moment Joel sat down behind his desk, he asked, "Have you found a suitable bone marrow donor?"Talia thought of Christian but shook her head. "Not yet."She didn't dare say yes, afraid that Christian might refuse to donate.Joel's expression grew more serious. "Then you really need to figure something out, and fast. Henry's condition is only going to get worse."Today it was a simple bleed. But what about tomorrow? The day after? No one can guarantee that something worse won't happen."Talia had already expected this. She nodded. "I understand."Joel let out a sigh. "The sooner, the better.""I know," she said. Then, she left the office.She walked out of the ward in a daze, so lost in thought that she didn't even notice Quentin coming from the other direction. Just as she was about to pass him, he reached out and caught her arm.Quentin turned slowly and stepped
Henry spoke the truth, but Talia refused to accept it.She looked at him through reddened eyes, unable to form a single word. His face was so pale. If they didn't treat this in time, he might...She couldn't let herself finish the thought, and she didn't respond to what he'd said.Behind them, Quentin had been quietly standing the whole time. When he heard Henry talking like a man writing his will, he couldn't hold back any longer."What do you mean 'not so bad'? You have to stay alive. Otherwise, if I ever treat Talia badly down the road, who will keep me in check?"Talia knew that Quentin was saying it for Henry's sake, so she didn't try to correct him.Henry sat still at the edge of the bed. The blood from his pant leg had seeped onto the white sheets, and that streak of red was a jarring sight.When Talia saw it, her chest seized. The tears came faster now, falling faster than she could wipe them away.She glanced toward the door, silently willing the doctor to hurry. Henry
The comment read, "I've met Dr. Rowe before. He helped remove the brain tumor from my mother. It's been two years since her surgery, and everything is still going well for her. Dr. Rowe was also very friendly and likable."He refused to take any gifts from me, and even when I insisted on tipping hi
Talia looked down at her daughter. Yvonne's eyes clearly held complicated conflict, but she ignored it and simply said, "Yes, you're not feeling well, so I will stay here with you."Yvonne's face wrinkled with concern. "Mommy, did Daddy tell you I wasn't feeling well?"After taking Yvonne's pajama
Yvonne held Talia's hand as they went back into the bedroom together.Yvonne said, "Mommy, I've already finished my milk. Let's wash up and go to sleep."Talia withdrew her hand and softly said, "Okay."Yvonne stared at her hand. Somehow, her little palms felt empty, and there was a slight, uncom
Nancy followed Christian's gaze and saw Talia and Quentin. In that moment, the smile on her face grew cold, but with so many people around, she could only pretend not to notice and shook Christian's arm. "Chris, what are you thinking about?"Only then did Christian snap out of it. He turned back







