Chapter 12

"Is Juliette still here?" After I missed the last check-up, I thought she would have left the city. Jayden shook his head. "No, a new case came to the hospital—complicated enough to warrant keeping the team of specialists here for an extra week. They're working together to analyze the condition and help the patient recover." "My condition isn't that serious. You can tell Juliette not to bother coming over. It's a waste of her time." I had mixed feelings about her, so I didn't want any more entanglements. Hearing this, Jayden rejected my suggestion outright. He said, "Joshua, I paid a hefty sum to keep her here to treat you. If you don't appreciate it, I'll make sure you do!" His words warmed my heart. It was just a small act of kindness years ago when I stood up for him during a bout of bullying. I never thought he would remember it for this long. As we were talking, Juliette entered after a brief knock. "How are you feeling now?" "Much better." I glanced at her calm, indifferent expression and hesitated for a moment before attempting to explain myself. "I'm sorry about missing the appointment the other day. I wasn't trying to stand you up. I just…" I faltered mid-sentence, unsure how to explain. My phone was still with me when Sophia locked me in at home. I could've called for help, but I was worried that making a scene would reflect poorly on her. So, as always, I endured. Juliette studied me silently. She arched her brow mockingly when she didn't hear me continue speaking. "Why don't you continue? Can't come up with the rest of your excuse?" Seeing her expression, I felt an inexplicable panic rising in my heart. Fumbling with my words, I mumbled, "I didn't lie to you." I never lied to her. When we were young, I truly loved her. Back then, I naively believed that we could spend our lives together. But I forgot what kind of nightmare my family was. My father, a violent drunk and a gambler, acted like the perfect man in public but turned into a monster behind closed doors. He abused my mother and me. Yet to outsiders, he was akin to a saint. When my mother tried to tell others about the abuse, people thought she was crazy. The more she endured the beatings and the gossip, the more it broke her until she really did lose her mind. Despite our circumstances, Juliette never looked down on me and stayed by my side. Meeting her, someone so bright and full of life, during my formative years felt like fate. I thought we could live a simple, happy life together. But one day, I overheard my father's plans when I came home. Through a cracked door, I saw him gripping my mother's neck. "The next time Juliette visits, slip that sedative into her drink. Make them both take it. Once they all fall asleep, I'll sell her on the black market. That way, our family will have money!" My mom shook her head with difficulty. "N-No... You can't. Juliette is still a child. You can't touch her." "You worthless hag! Do you want to die?" I watched in horror as my mother struggled, her face pale as his hands tightened around her throat. At that moment, I deliberately made a noise to interrupt. "I'm home!" I shouted. But my memories came crashing to a halt as Juliette's mocking voice brought me back to the present. "Joshua, spare me your excuses. If you die, I won't shed a tear. I would celebrate your early death with fireworks." Jayden tried to intervene, but I stopped him with a glance. Looking at her frosty demeanor, I clenched my fists under the blanket. "Dr. Caddel, how much time do I have left?" Her eyes scanned my latest report. Her frown deepened. "You've been having frequent episodes lately. No matter what happens, control your emotions. Emotional swings will worsen your condition. If you stay hospitalized, follow treatment protocols, and adhere to chemotherapy, you'll likely have another two to three years." As soon as she finished, Jayden interjected eagerly. "What about the anti-cancer drug you mentioned before? The one that inhibits tumor growth? Can he use it?" "Yes, but it's expensive," she replied coldly, her tone laced with sarcasm. "With your current state, a few rounds of the drug might double your time." I rasped, "Roughly how much would full treatment cost?" For a brief moment, she hesitated, then her gaze sharpened. "You've been with Sophia for so long. Surely she wouldn't leave you to die after everything you've done for her, right?" I forced a faint smile and nodded. "Of course not." Her expression darkened, but she quickly composed herself. "Two to three million. Get some rest and get with treatment." She left the room without another word. A nurse soon arrived to call Jayden away to see another patient. I assured him I would stay and follow the treatment plan. Once he was gone, I turned to the window, letting the sunlight warm my face. When I first learned I had late-stage stomach cancer, I resolved to treat myself better. I had planned to divorce Sophia and finally prioritize my own happiness. I assumed she would jump at the chance, especially now that she had Edison—a man who closely resembled Edson. I thought she would gladly let me go and start a new life with him. But I was wrong. If she wouldn't let me divorce her, I would remain trapped in this endless cycle. Maybe this life was never meant to be mine to live freely. A sudden crash startled me as the door swung open violently. I turned to see Sophia storming in, her expression dark and furious. She hadn't left? I snapped back to reality and immediately noticed that her expression was off. "What's wrong?" My question seemed to ignite her anger further. "Joshua, I knew your perfect health couldn't just deteriorate overnight. Turns out you and Jayden staged this whole charade to trick me!" "Staged this?" Her accusation struck me like a blow. I felt a bitter laugh bubbling up inside. What had I done in the past to make her believe I was the kind of man who would fake terminal cancer just to deceive her? I swallowed the rising pain in my chest and asked, "What reason would I have to lie to you?"