Chapter 21

Ryan sat in the sterile hospital room, staring blankly at the wall. His mind was swirling in doubt and despair. He had all the time in the world to think, but none of it brought him any solace or clarity."Valery is one of the best doctors in this country. This could be your last chance at a cure, Ryan. Are you going to throw it away because of the past?" Margret's words echoed in his mind. Ryan was sure of his decision, yet he owed Margret his attention; she was the only one who stood by him through the bitterness and painful procedures.As he brooded, the door creaked open. In stepped a figure clad in a crisp lab coat and sensible shoes. It was Valery, the woman he despised. She dared to approach him with a smile as if they had something to discuss."I wasn't gurgling water in my mouth the last time," Ryan said, the drugs making his speech sluggish. He would have howled at her intensely if he could."Your mother and I agreed that having me on the team would be beneficial, Master W

Last Updated : 2024-03-10

Chapter 22

Days later...By the time the sun came out, the first storm had passed. Ryan responded to treatment, though he appeared so frail that there were speculations he wouldn't make it through the night. Yet after two days of slumber, he opened his eyes.His vision was blurry at first. His throat was sore, his head a mess, and something was strapped to his face. When the fog in his eyes cleared, Ryan discovered he wasn’t alone. Valery was there, reclined on the couch not far from his bed. Her elbow rested on the window frame, her head tilted in an uncomfortable position.Ryan sighed, his chest relaxing. He stared at her a little longer, baffled that such a day had come- where he would be at the receiving end of Valery's attention as he possibly lay on his deathbed. Time may have altered their bodies, but it certainly hadn’t changed their hearts- at least, not his.‘Forget it. This won’t last,’ Ryan thought, convinced that Valery would break her promise, leaving him to wallow in misery again

Last Updated : 2024-08-12

Chapter 23

"We should head out. I'll help you." Valery pulled her hand back, carefully lifting Ryan by the shoulders."I said let’s dump that stupid chair. I can walk." Ryan’s brows furrowed as Valery brought up the wheelchair. She had no choice but to listen, though she nearly regretted it when he stumbled. Fortunately, some nearby strangers stepped in to help."Thank you, I can take it from here," Ryan said politely as he steadied himself."A park, huh? The sunlight is blinding," Ryan remarked, taking a deep breath. "No harsh detergents or repugnant medicine. The air is fresh, and the grass is as green as it gets. No beeping machines or footsteps echoing down those eerie corridors. I could get used to this.""I can imagine how hard it’s been," Valery said."You might think you understand, given your profession, but the pain... it’s beyond what your brilliant, feeble mind could ever process." Ryan’s voice was edged with bitterness.A small smile touched Valery's lips. Ryan had no obligation to

Last Updated : 2024-08-18

Chapter 24

High SchoolDerrick's fingers dug into the pliant flesh beneath the girl's uniform, his breathing ragged against her neck. His hips stuttered forward in urgent rhythm, chasing release.The door handle rattled. They froze mid-motion.Derrick's shoulders relaxed when he saw the intruder. "Riley." He withdrew, zipping his jeans with practiced ease as the girl scrambled to adjust her skirt. She fled without meeting Riley's gaze, her shoes clicking sharply against the floor.Riley entered slowly, struggling to process the scene he'd just witnessed. "I thought you were in a committed relationship," he said."I am." Derrick turned to the fridge, grabbing a drink. "Valery isn't big on intimacy, and I don't want to force her.""So, you chose to cheat on her? How old was that girl?""Of legal age. I can't starve myself just because my girlfriend is difficult. Stop making a fuss over nothing. Valery ought to be grateful someone else handles her job."Riley was speechless."Come on, don't look at

Last Updated : 2025-02-26

CHAPTER 25

Present Day… Valery had been fighting herself for hours. Even after her shift ended, she couldn’t bring herself to leave. She lingered outside the waiting area, pacing restlessly beneath the moonlight that hung like a chandelier in the night sky. 'This is ridiculous. Just go in. He’s not going to bite... but what if he does? Damn it, why did they have to meet like this?' Ever since Derrick’s visit, Ryan had withdrawn completely, his aura reverting to that familiar, icy coldness. The kind that used to freeze her out when she got too close. Now, Valery feared his reaction. 'But I need to explain. I need him to understand.' With a deep breath, she marched to his door. After a gentle knock, she pushed it open and stepped inside. Ryan wasn’t asleep. He lay still, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. “Hey,” Valery said softly, pinching her fingers for control. 'Don’t back down. Just talk to him.' Ryan didn’t look at her. “You here to check my vitals or something?” There

Last Updated : 2025-05-14

Chapter 26

High SchoolRyan had always been a rebel. Living with an illness didn’t tame his spirit, it only made him fiercer, more defiant. If his days were numbered, he sure as hell wasn’t going to spend them trying to please anyone.He didn’t pick fights, but he never walked away from one either. And every time, he made sure to finish what someone else had started.After his fifth school suspension in a single year, his mother, Hecate, had finally made the difficult call. Homeschooling. It wasn’t just about his record; it was about survival. Ryan’s condition had shown little progress, and every morning he left for school felt like a gamble. Worse, his identical twin Riley was constantly dragged into his mess.So when Riley finally got into a new school without him, Hecate clung to the hope that her calmer son might thrive. Riley was thoughtful, rational - the kind of kid teachers liked. But even he couldn’t avoid trouble. One evening, he came home with bruises, hidden beneath long sleeves and

Last Updated : 2025-05-18