Chapter 113
David put away his phone and turned his head. Chloe's sleeping face came into view.
She was pale. These past few days, since leaving the hospital, her condition had gradually stabilized.
He held her hand. Her fingertips were ice cold.
A knock came at the door.
David got up and opened it.
A doctor wearing wire-rimmed glasses stood outside, holding a medical chart.
"Mr. White, I'd like to talk to you about Ms. Jane's condition." The doctor's tone was gentle.
David stepped aside, gesturing for the doctor to come in.
The doctor sat down.
"Ms. Jane's condition—the diagnosis is clear. Acute leukemia. The outlook isn't great. She needs a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible, or else..." He trailed off.
"We've done preliminary matching, but it's not going well. The transplant cost is also a major issue. For an average family, we're talking astronomical numbers." The doctor looked at David, question in his eyes. "You're Ms. Jane's brother. You must know about her family situation?"
David didn't respond right away. He looked at Chloe sleeping in the bed. Brother. He accepted the label. It felt natural somehow.
"Her family is poor. My sister's had a rough life. A car accident took both our parents when she was young. She's been on her own ever since. All these years, she's been incredibly strong."
The doctor sighed softly.
"I see. Then as her brother, you'll need to take good care of her. We'll do our best to find a suitable bone marrow match, but time isn't on our side. The cost issue needs to be addressed immediately. Here—this is the treatment plan and estimated expenses..." The doctor handed over the paperwork.
David took it and skimmed through. He knew this amount of money was nothing to him. But for Chloe, she needed to know she wasn't alone.
"I'll figure it out," he said.
The doctor nodded.
……
The door closed again. David returned to the bedside. This fragile girl in his care had given him a new direction.
From this moment on, his life would no longer be about revenge or serving someone else's agenda.
He would live for himself. For this girl beside him.
……
The doctor left, and the room fell silent again.
The medical chart in David's hand felt particularly heavy. Chloe wasn't sleeping peacefully—her brow was furrowed, as if even in her dreams she was suffering.
Just as his thoughts were swirling, Chloe's eyelashes fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze landing on the chart in his hands.
"What... what did he say?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
David set down the chart. "The doctor said it's acute leukemia. You need a bone marrow transplant."
The light in Chloe's eyes dimmed.
"David," she said his name softly, exhaustion in her voice. "You don't have to... you don't have to do all this for me."
"What do you mean?" David asked.
"I heard. It takes a lot of money. And the matching process. You don't have to take that on."
He smiled. There was no strain in it, only certainty. "For other people, this might be a huge deal. For me, it's nothing."
"You don't need to feel any burden," David continued, his voice gentle. "Since I've decided to look after you, I'm not going to bail halfway through. You just focus on getting better. Leave the rest to me."
Chloe's nose stung with emotion.
"But..." She still wanted to say something. She didn't want him carrying too much out of pity.
David saw her hesitation. He was silent for a moment, then finally spoke. "My parents died when I was very young."
Chloe froze.
"So I get it. Being alone, having no one to rely on—I know that feeling better than anyone. You're not alone anymore. Now you have me."
His words were like a warm current, instantly breaking through Chloe's defenses.
She stopped resisting. Stopped struggling.
"Thank you..." Chloe's voice cracked.
David patted her hand gently, like he would a real sister. "No need to thank me. Get some rest. Tomorrow I'll take you outside for a walk. Get some sun."
Chloe nodded, tears sliding silently down her cheeks.
……
Juliana woke to Lucas leaning over her, kissing her. His lips tasted of coffee—bitter and fragrant.
"Good morning, Mrs. Sharp," he murmured.
Juliana wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
Their honeymoon was coming to an end. Soon they'd be heading back to that home full of challenges and warmth.
……
Back home, life kicked into high gear.
Lucas started taking Juliana to all kinds of public events. Whether it was charity galas or business summits, Juliana appeared as Mrs. Sharp, on Lucas's arm, center of attention under the spotlight.
He'd adjust her dress in front of everyone, shield her from intrusive stares, and casually mention "my wife, Juliana" in his speeches.
Every single gesture announced to the world: Juliana was his lawfully wedded wife, the rightful lady of the Sharp family.
……
The Sharp Estate.
[Mrs. Sharp steals the show, Mr. Sharp spoils his wife shamelessly.]
[A match made in heaven!]
All those glowing headlines felt like mockery to Ashley.
She grabbed the newspaper from the table, pointing at the front-page photo of Juliana's smiling face. "Get rid of all this! I don't want to see anything about that woman in this house!"
The butler quickly collected the papers.
Ashley sat on the couch. She closed her eyes, but all she could see was Juliana's smiling face. She'd thought if she just held firm, Lucas would eventually give in. Instead, he'd pushed Juliana into the spotlight, cementing her position as Mrs. Sharp.
……
A few days later, Ashley was invited to an afternoon tea gathering with other society wives.
In the past, she'd always been the center of attention, the star everyone orbited around.
But this time, the atmosphere felt... off.
"Ashley, you're not looking well lately. Too much going on at home?" one woman asked, teacup in hand, concern that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Ashley forced a smile. "Just an old issue. Nothing serious."
Another woman chimed in. "Lucas and his wife seem so in love. At the charity gala the other day, Lucas didn't take his eyes off Dr. Wells once."
"Right? I heard Dr. Wells is super accomplished—internationally recognized. Plus she gave the Sharp family two adorable grandsons. What a blessing."
"My grandson just started elementary school. Total troublemaker, but he brings me so much joy."
One seemingly innocent comment after another, but each one felt like a knife stabbing into Ashley's heart.
She watched the women across from her chatting happily about their children and grandchildren, their faces glowing with happiness. Her chest felt tight, like something was lodged there.
Her grandson, Damian—the child who used to follow her around calling her "Grandma"—now only recognized Juliana. And Matthew? She'd never even had the chance to get close to him.