Chapter 202

Chapter 202

Elora spoke lightly, but Michael's heart filled with infinite sorrow.

"Elora, sometimes I really want to ask you—how can you be so heartless? When you drugged me to make Edward think we were together, you kept saying we were good friends. Is that how you treat a friend?"

"You knew about that?" Elora stepped back, staring at him in disbelief.

"I chose to overlook certain things because I valued our friendship. But what about you? To get rid of me, you drugged me, made Edward think I'd lost my mind, and had me committed to a psychiatric hospital."

Elora's face had turned ashen.

Even Edward, sitting in the hospital bed, couldn't maintain his composure upon hearing this revelation.

He clenched the sheets, his brow furrowed with anguish. "Michael..."

That single word carried countless layers of guilt.

"I share the blame."

"You made a mistake, alright. The mistake was choosing to believe her over me." Michael bit down hard, his eyes reddening.

"I'm sorry." Edward lowered his head, his voice desolate.

"I thought, given our history, you'd trust me. But I never expected you'd stab me in the back for her sake."

Michael struggled to keep his voice steady, trying to remain calm, but his fingers trembled uncontrollably.

"Do you have any idea what I went through in that psychiatric ward?"

"Michael..." Edward found himself speechless, unable to form a single word.

Molly placed her hand on Edward's shoulder, gently rubbing to comfort him.

"Edward, don't be too hard on yourself." She didn't know what else to say, only wanting to ease his pain.

"No need for apologies. You got what you deserved." Michael let out a cold laugh, his face showing the satisfaction of revenge fulfilled, though his eyes held a faint trace of sadness.

"I'm sorry, Michael, Edward..." Elora's tears fell like rain as she tried to argue her case.

"Enough!" Alicia suddenly cut her off, her face filled with disappointment. "Elora, I never imagined you were capable of such things. If you have any self-awareness left, you'll leave now."

"Mrs. Howard, I was wrong. Please, don't make me go."

"Leave. You're not welcome here." Alicia's tone was cold and final.

Elora looked desperately at Edward, hoping to see even a flicker of sympathy in his eyes.

But Edward merely turned his head away, refusing to look at her.

"Edward, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I just wanted to be with you." Elora sobbed out her apologies.

"From this moment on, I owe you nothing."

"I'm sorry!" She choked, barely able to speak.

"If you don't want to humiliate yourself further, leave now." Edward's voice was icy as he issued the order once more.

"I..." Elora hesitated.

But Edward's expression was too cold, piercing straight through her heart.

"I'm sorry!" Under everyone's gaze, Elora covered her face and fled the room in disgrace.

Michael watched her retreating figure, his eyes dark and unreadable, silent.

Alicia sighed and turned to Michael. "Michael, thank you for exposing the truth. Otherwise, we'd still be in the dark."

Michael's lips curved slightly in a faint smile, though his gaze drifted toward Molly.

Molly turned to face him as well.

Given Michael's actions, Molly couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"Michael, if you hate Edward so much, why help him?"

Molly knew he'd returned for revenge, yet now he'd done this.

Without Michael, everyone would still be played for fools.

Michael shrugged helplessly, glancing at Edward before returning his attention to Molly, his smile distant. "He's dying anyway. What's the point of dwelling on ancient history?"

"Besides, I can see you still have feelings for him. I'm not happy about it, but I want you to be happy more than anything."

Molly stared at Michael in surprise.

Edward looked at Michael too, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

After a long silence, Edward spoke slowly. "Thank you."

Michael waved dismissively. "No need to thank me. Edward, if you really only have a month left, then make it count."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving behind a carefree silhouette.

Only Molly and Edward remained in the hospital room.

Molly gripped Edward's hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

With Molly by his side, Edward's sickly face now held a faint glow.

Watching her son and Molly together like this, Alicia finally made up her mind.

She walked over to Molly and took her hand. "Molly, I was wrong before. I shouldn't have kept you two apart. Now, I only want Edward's final days to be happy. If you're willing to stay with him, nothing would make me happier."

"I'm willing." Molly didn't hesitate.

Alicia nodded, tears in her eyes. "Thank you. Stay here with Edward. I won't disturb you anymore."

After Alicia left, only Molly and Edward remained.

Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in warm, golden light.

"Why did you change your mind?" Edward looked at Molly, his voice soft. "Yesterday you said you never loved me."

Molly sat down beside the bed, holding his hand. "I hated you, resented you, but I never stopped loving you. I just couldn't admit it."

She paused, then continued. "And now I know the truth—everything you did for me, and that nothing ever happened between you and Elora. Edward, let's make up."

"What difference does it make?" Edward smiled bitterly. "I'm still dying. Knowing all this will only cause you more pain."

"No." Molly shook her head, her eyes shining with determination. "Precisely because your time is limited, we need to cherish every single moment. Edward, I want to be with you until the end."

Edward gazed at her, finally showing a ripple of emotion. "You won't regret it?"

"Never." Molly clasped his hand tightly, their fingers interlocking.