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Chapter 24

Author: Eli Sole
Shane was the first to react, frowning as he questioned, “Sean, what are you talking about? Layla’s perfectly fine. You…”

“Do you think I’d joke about something like this?”

Sean gave a bitter smile. “If I could, I’d wish it was all just a bad joke, so I could turn back time and still have a chance to make things right with her.”

Sean’s seriousness sent a wave of panic through Mrs. Xander. She rushed forward, grabbing Sean’s arm, and asked anxiously, “Tell me—what’s wrong with Layla?”

“She has a tumor in her brain,” Sean said grimly. “It’s in a dangerous spot, and the chances of a successful surgery are very slim.”

His words hit the Xander family like a bolt of lightning. They stood frozen, their faces full of disbelief.

Mrs. Xander thought back to the cruel words she had said earlier. Guilt and heartbreak overwhelmed her, and tears streamed down her face.

“How… how could I say something so horrible to her?” she muttered, her voice breaking.

Overcome with regret,
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