The Cost Of Delayed Affection Novels & Stories

“She doesn’t have four to six weeks. Her next treatment is scheduled for Friday.” “I know. I’m sorry. But without insurance approval…” “How much would it cost to pay out of pocket?” Silence. Then, “Around fifteen thousand for this round of treatment.” Fifteen thousand. I had two hundred and thirty-seven dollars in my bank account. “Is there any way to speed up the review?” My voice cracked. “You can file an appeal. But that usually takes just as long.” “So she just doesn’t get treatment.” “I’m sorry, Ms. Hale. My hands are tied.”

I was planning on enjoying the last days, but I was trapped in the ward. All of a sudden, the system's desperate mechanical voice sounded in my head. "Host, you were scammed!" Before I could ask what was going on, the system told me everything. "The affection levels of your three targets were all very high, but Wendy has two threads of affection. She can transfer others' affection to herself. Therefore, the affection of your targets would be drastically suppressed." I mumbled, "Threads of affection?"

Maybe never would be. I packed an overnight bag, every movement stiff with fury. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. I can’t believe he did this. I trusted him. Then I froze, remembering the contract. One million dollars. A penalty for walking away early. Of course there’s a cost. There’s always a cost. I kept thinking about the night of the gala. The way he’d looked at me, touched me. The way I really believed that forever meant something. That memory felt tainted now.

“Go. Before I start charging you for therapy sessions.” “The trial protocol would give us more time,” Dr. Kahn said, tapping the screen. A graph spiked red. “But the cost…” I didn’t need to see the figure. The research alone had kept me up at night. “$120,000 per infusion. Six cycles minimum.” My phone buzzed. A text from Damien: **Dinner at Per Se. 8PM.** As if tonight were any other night. As if my world weren’t collapsing. Dr. Kahn mistook my silence. “We can discuss palliative opt”

“All of that is just for you. I want to repay the debt I owe you, not because I want myself to be at peace, but because I want you to give me a chance to start again, I like you..." Derek talked so much that his voice was dry, he coughed so much that his shoulders shook but his back remained straight. “You like me?” Bertha's red lips pursed tightly, she looked down at him for a long moment. Her eyes were quiet and still, her voice was cold as ice, without any warmth. “You said that three years late and I still don't feel moved. To me, this late love is cheaper than roadside weeds.” “You want to start again? Impossible."

The debate raged within me, weighing the value of this virtual indulgence against its cost. As I hesitated, the screen flashed a new offer, a half-price deal of $25.000 if I deal within 5 minutes that seemed too good to refuse. Without another moment's hesitation, I accepted. The virtual world erupted in celebration, fireworks painting the sky as the crowd around me burst into applause, a spectacle of welcome and approval that lasted moments before everything returned to normalcy.

The person sentenced to five years for the accident now owned a house as soon as he got out. I couldn't believe I just discovered such a major loophole. I think, before Lucas had an affair, I might have genuinely developed feelings. After all, it was a whole five years. Whether it was real or fake. He did play the role of a husband and a father quite well. That's why I forgot that I once had a crush on someone when I was young, a crush that lasted for many years. But then he died. And it seemed I had forgotten about him too.

Typical. Just as I was about to send her away, she dropped a bomb. "Let’s get married, Xavier." I stared at her. "Married? We’re not even in a relationship." Claire shrugged. "We’ve been sleeping together for years. Marriage is just the next logical step." I clenched my jaw. "Sex doesn’t equal commitment." Her smile turned sly. "My dad has high-level connections—politicians, elites. Marry me, and they’re yours."