Chapter 90
The treatment was scheduled for early in the month.
Rather than surgery, it was an extremely complex targeted injection therapy. The location was one of Blessed Care Hospital's top-tier VIP rooms.
Juliana changed into sterile scrubs. Everything was ready. She walked to the bedside holding a syringe filled with pale golden liquid, only to see Lucas's normally calm face suddenly become somewhat... stiff.
"What's wrong? Nervous?"
Lucas's Adam's apple bobbed, then he turned his head away, his voice tight.
"I'm scared of pain."
Juliana went silent.
Her hand holding the syringe froze mid-air. For a moment, she thought she'd misheard.
She looked at his tense jawline and that "I'm not joking, I'm completely serious" expression, and suddenly understood.
This man was putting on an act again.
Juliana felt simultaneously exasperated and amused, though the softest part of her heart still got poked.
She set down the syringe. "It's just an injection. It won't hurt. If you're really scared, you can close your eyes."
"I'll still feel it even with my eyes closed." Lucas turned his head to look at her, and in those dark eyes, there was actually a hint of... grievance?
"So what do you want?" Juliana was at a loss.
"Kiss me."
"..."
"One kiss and it won't hurt." He added, his tone matter-of-fact.
Juliana felt her professional composure facing an unprecedented challenge. She took a deep breath, telling herself: he's a patient, he's a patient, he's a patient.
She leaned down and, through her mask, quickly pecked his cheek.
"There. Done."
"Not enough." Lucas was dissatisfied. "On the lips."
Juliana glared at him.
He acted like he didn't see it and continued making demands. "During the treatment, you have to hold my hand the whole time. And after it's over, you have to stay here with me until I fall asleep."
Watching him seriously negotiate terms, Juliana completely lost her temper.
She simply removed her mask, cupped his face, and kissed him thoroughly.
When the kiss ended, Lucas was completely satisfied. He lay back on the bed and proactively extended his hand.
"Okay, I'm not scared anymore."
That smug look on his face made Juliana want to be annoyed and laugh at the same time.
She put her mask back on and, with precise and steady movements, slowly pushed the golden liquid into his vein.
The treatment went smoothly.
The medication took effect quickly. Lucas's face turned visibly pale, but from beginning to end, he didn't make a sound—just tightly gripped Juliana's hand in return.
By the time it was over, he'd slipped into a semi-conscious state.
Juliana reached out and gently brushed back his sweat-dampened hair.
If he could just get through these ten difficult days, he'd be completely free of his past injuries.
And she would be there with him.
……
At the Sharp Estate, a black Rolls-Royce slowly drove toward a villa halfway up the mountain.
In the back seat, Matthew's small body sat ramrod straight.
"Where are you taking me? Does my mom know about this?"
Ashley, sitting beside him, wore the most kindly smile of her entire life.
"I'm taking you on vacation! Your mom's busy with work, so I'm taking you somewhere fun to stay for a few days. We'll surprise her, okay?"
Ever since that bastard Logan had threatened her with Matty's existence, she hadn't slept well for two days.
After much deliberation, she decided to put Damian in the safest place first.
"Vacation?" Matthew clearly didn't believe her. "I don't want to."
"Don't be like that. We're almost there. You'll definitely like it when you see it!"
As she spoke, the car had already entered through an estate's gates.
A massive lawn was trimmed perfectly. In the distance was a standard equestrian training ground where several magnificent horses grazed leisurely. On the other side of the lawn was even a small glass greenhouse and a fenced area housing several deer and snow-white rabbits.
This wasn't just a villa—it was practically a mini amusement park.
The car stopped and a butler in a tailcoat immediately came forward to open the door.
"Mrs. Sharp, Master Damian."
"Go bring over that purebred pony for Damian to see," Ashley instructed.
The butler complied and left.
Matthew was half-coaxed, half-carried out of the car by Ashley.
"Do you like it?" Ashley read his expression carefully, her smile growing more ingratiating. "I prepared all this especially for you. From now on, you can come ride horses whenever you want. There are even special instructors here to teach you."
Matthew's eyes sparkled. He looked at the docile little pony, then at the beautiful equestrian ground in the distance. The wariness in his heart was instantly replaced by the excitement a seven-year-old boy should have.
Smart as he was, he was still just a child.
"Can I... can I ride right now?"
"Of course you can!" Seeing his attitude soften, Ashley immediately nodded eagerly. "You can play as long as you want! We'll stay here tonight, okay?"
"Okay!"
Matthew agreed without hesitation and ran eagerly toward the equestrian ground.
Ashley stood in place, watching the child's excited figure, and let out a long breath of relief.
Finally... she'd managed to stabilize the situation.
But thinking of Logan's lingering phone call, her heart sank again.
Even though she'd agreed to cooperate with Logan, his temperament was erratic and unpredictable—she'd have to be extremely careful.
If only she'd known... why had she invited this wolf into her home?
This cooperation carried far too many risks.
……
Outside, the night was thick. Juliana kept watch by the bedside. The medication had sent Lucas into deep sleep, his features showing a rare peacefulness.
Her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket.
An unknown number.
Afraid of waking Lucas, Juliana immediately took her phone and walked to the outer lounge.
"Hello?"
"Juliana."
Logan's revolting voice, tinged with amusement.
Juliana's grip on the phone tightened.
"Want to see your son?" Logan's voice was airy.
Juliana's breathing stopped abruptly.
Son?
Matty?
No, Paul was watching Matty.
Then it was... Dami?
A chill shot from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, making her entire body go cold.