LOGINThe 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
Quentin tightened his grip on Julian's arm, then flung it aside. "Brave enough to do it, but too ashamed to let people see?"Julian winced from the pain and was about to argue back, but Eliza tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Let it go. Let's just leave. If this blows up, we're the ones who'll look bad."They were in a hospital, and a small crowd of onlookers had already gathered. Escalating things further would only hurt them.Julian weighed it briefly, then made his call. "Fine."The two of them left together. Quentin watched the pair of pests walk away and didn't bother going after them.When he turned back, he saw Talia slowly guiding Henry toward the hospital entrance. Henry's weight was almost entirely on her, and her small frame was hunched under the strain, looking like she might buckle at any moment.Quentin jogged over, took Henry's arm without uttering a single word, and helped walk him inside. With Quentin's help, they got Henry back to the hematology ward.The mo
Julian's gaze shifted to Quentin, and the surprise in his voice was obvious. "Quentin?"After what had happened yesterday, Julian had assumed Talia would go crawling back to Christian like a lost puppy. He never expected her to show up at the hospital, let alone with Henry. And now Quentin was here too. None of it made sense.Quentin met Julian's stare with an easy smile, perfectly composed. "In the flesh."Julian didn't bother trying to figure out why. He just lowered his voice in warning. "This has nothing to do with you."Quentin raised an eyebrow. "Nothing to do with me? You're bullying a sick man and pushing a woman around. I think any man with a spine would step in, don't you?"The casual way he said it landed like a slap across Julian's face.Before Julian could respond, Eliza muttered from the side, "What a showoff."Quentin turned on her instantly, his gaze freezing over. "I'm the showoff? You think I can out-perform you?"His voice was sharp and relentless. "If it wer
Henry didn't flinch at the commanding tone. He kept his grip firmly in place.When Julian saw that he refused to let go, he stepped forward, ready to force Henry's hand.But Talia moved first. She planted herself directly in front of Henry and stared Julian down without so much as blinking. Her gaze was steady and unflinching.She didn't say a single word, but Julian could read the message loud and clear. She was reminding him of her relationship with Christian.That only made things worse. Julian didn't give a damn about Christian right now. Seeing Talia try to use Christian's name as a shield sent a fresh wave of anger surging through him.He didn't back off. Instead, he swung at Talia.Henry released Eliza's hand and threw his arm up to block the blow. Julian's fist connected with Henry's forearm, and the impact sent a jolt of pain shooting through his own palm.He winced, his brows creasing, but the sneer on his face didn't falter. "You're the only one still treating her lik
Talia stared at the red dots scattered across Henry's skin, and when she spoke, her voice came out strained and uneven. "Henry, what happened to your arms?"She already knew the answer, but she asked anyway, clinging to the slim chance that it might just be a skin condition.Henry didn't try to hide anything from her. He pulled his sleeve back down without making a fuss and explained in a quiet, steady voice. "It's nothing serious. Just some subcutaneous bleeding."He made it sound like nothing, but every single word weighed heavily on Talia's chest. She was heartbroken and terrified, but she knew there was nothing she could do to change any of it.In the end, the two of them left the room together.When they reached the outdoor courtyard downstairs, Talia stepped into the sunlight, and Henry stood beside her. His gaze rested on her, soft and still, with a tenderness he didn't bother trying to conceal.Talia turned to look at him and found his eyes already on her. Neither of them
Talia pressed a hand to her chest. Whatever Christian and Yvonne were saying in the hospital room no longer reached her. Her mind was blank.When she left the hospital, she felt lost.Inside the room, Christian frowned slightly at Yvonne's request. Stroking his daughter's hair, he looked down at h
Talia looked up at Quentin's face. He had an amazing jawline, as well as well-built muscles. His nose, eyes, lashes, and other facial features were practically flawless as well.It was a truly exquisite face, almost refined. Yet, when he smiled, there was always something wicked about it.His thou
After settling the bill, Christian turned around and said to Nancy, "Nancy, let's go."Talia heard Christian call Nancy, but she didn't look back. She just took a sip of water from her glass.Noticing Christian calling her, Nancy stepped forward and looped her arm through his. "Okay."As Christia
Christian left Jubilee Manor on Friday night.That same night, Talia, who was still weak, slept on the couch in Yvonne's room to take care of her.By the next day, Talia's fever had broken, and she felt a little better.After having breakfast with Yvonne, she wanted to take her out for a walk.A







