Chapter 85 James is Crazy
James and Gloria had been together for years - they knew each other too well.
Vivienne was the most important person to her. If she was taking Vivienne away, she would definitely choose a safe place. She wouldn't mess around with Vivienne's health.
Dawnrise Recovery Retreat had top-notch medical facilities, perfect for elderly post-surgery recovery.
With Caspian's help, hiding their whereabouts wasn't difficult.
She hadn't left the city - she was at Sunrise Peak.
James didn't know why he needed to find her so urgently, but he knew that if he waited any longer, he might regret it for the rest of his life.
He floored the gas pedal. The needle mark from where he'd pulled out his IV hadn't been bandaged, and bright red blood slowly dripped down the back of his hand, but he couldn't care less about that.
He had to find Gloria and bring her home.
Caspian sat with Gloria in the lounge for an hour. Only after her emotions had settled did he leave.
In the back seat, Caspian closed his eyes, his mind filled with Gloria's vulnerable face.
Gloria said she regretted it.
And him? Wasn't he the same?
He should have done whatever it took to have her when they reunited four years ago.
Then again, if he'd used those methods, wouldn't he just be another James?
Caspian rubbed his temples.
His car went down the mountain just as James was coming up - the two cars passed each other.
The head of Dawnrise Recovery Retreat came out to greet him in the middle of the night.
"Mr. Williams, hello."
The director really hadn't expected this legendary rising star who'd shaken up the entire industry to show up wearing hospital pajamas, a coat thrown over them, and even slippers - completely disheveled.
James had always appeared impeccably dressed in front of cameras before. The private reality was quite different.
But his sharp presence was intimidating, impossible to underestimate.
James got straight to the point, his voice heavy: "I'm here to find someone."
When Gloria returned to the room, Vivienne looked her up and down. "Why were you gone so long?"
"I didn't want to disturb your rest, so Caspian and I went to the lounge to chat about work stuff and had a few cups of coffee."
Vivienne was watching TV with her reading glasses on. She took them off. "Gloria, that Caspian who could come up with ten million dollars for us nineteen years ago - his family background must be pretty impressive."
"Yes, his family is quite wealthy."
Vivienne took out her lens cloth, breathed on the lenses, and carefully wiped them. Without looking up, she said casually: "For someone like him to lower himself to act in films - it's just a game to him."
Gloria understood what Vivienne meant. She came over and crouched beside her. "Grandma, forget that I'm already married - even if I wasn't, nothing could happen between Caspian and me. We're just friends. He wants to repay me for the kindness I showed him back then."
"The distance between us is like a huge gap. I know my place. I won't have thoughts I shouldn't have."
Vivienne patted the back of her hand. "That's good. There are too many temptations out there these days. I'm afraid someone might lead you astray. Even if you and James really do split up someday, Caspian isn't someone we could reach for."
Hearing this, Gloria quickly asked: "Grandma, what do you mean by that?"
Vivienne reached up to smooth her hair. "I raised you myself. No one in this world will ever love you more than I do. James is a good boy, and I believe his love for you is real."
"But in his current position, he has too many things to consider. It's hard to avoid you getting hurt. This time he's willing to turn back before making a big mistake - that's a good thing. I can understand him, and I want to give him a chance."
Gloria hadn't expected Vivienne to be the first one to open up. "Vivienne, you...?"
"I've known for a while now. I've watched you two build everything from nothing to get where you are today. That kind of relationship is more precious than anything. I hope you can make it to the end, so at least after I'm gone, you'll have someone to rely on."
"But these past few days I've been thinking - people's hearts can change. He turned back today, but what about next time? By then I'll be in the ground. Who will protect you then?"
"Growing old together is everyone's dream, but how many couples actually make it to the end? After what happened, you already have hurt in your heart. Before, I was only focused on finding you someone to depend on, but I ignored what you wanted. So I've come around. I support whatever decision you make."
"Gloria, you need to understand something - I don't insist you stay with James. I just want you to be happy."
Hearing this, Gloria couldn't hold back anymore and threw herself into Vivienne's arms. "Grandma."
"Gloria, no matter what happens between you and James in the future, never compromise yourself. We only come to this world once - first and foremost, you need to make yourself happy. Everything else is secondary."
Gloria nodded. "I understand."
Now that they'd talked it through, most of Gloria's inner conflict dissolved. The fog before her eyes was gently parted by a pair of hands.
She wiped her tears. "I'll help you get ready for bed. You need to be happy and healthy every day, until the very last day."
"Alright. With you here, how could I bear to leave so easily?"
Vivienne pinched her nose, and they smiled at each other.
Gloria gave Vivienne her medicine and stayed with her until she fell asleep.
Only after Vivienne was asleep did she close the door and step out.
So Vivienne could understand her.
Then she didn't need to struggle anymore.
Vivienne was right - nothing was more important than being happy.
As for whether she'd regret it later, she'd let her future self deal with that.
Once she'd thought it through, Gloria felt suddenly clear.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Gloria thought it was staff and opened the door. Her smile froze on her face.
James appeared at the door, wrapped in cold air and snowflakes.
He was wearing hospital pajamas, his handsome face pale as paper, his hair hanging down in disarray, slippers on his feet.
Disheveled and messy like this - it was the first time she'd seen James this way.
Gloria's heart tightened, and she instinctively moved to close the door.
James put his hand against the doorframe. His pale hand showed clear blue veins, the winding blood vessels extending all the way up into his hospital gown.
There were large patches of dried blood on the back of his hand.
His lips were chapped, and he looked completely worn out.
"Gloria." When he spoke, his voice was incredibly hoarse.
"It's late. I need to rest." Gloria didn't want to talk to him.
James's face was full of pleading: "Gloria, I really know I was wrong. Will you come home with me?"
"Not happening."
He took off the coat he'd been wearing and knelt down in the freezing snow.
"Honey, if last night's punishment wasn't enough, I'm willing to continue being punished. I'll get up whenever you stop being angry."
Gloria's hand tightened on the doorknob as she lowered her voice: "James, have you lost your mind?"
"If you leave me, I won't just lose my mind - I'll die."
His bloodshot eyes were full of love and obsession for her, his voice rough: "Honey, what do I have to do for you to forgive me?"