Lucian reached over from behind Calista and grabbed her phone out of her hands. "I'll do that for you. Go to sleep."He had been woken up by her alarm and saw her forcing herself to stay awake to send Augustus a text."It's fine." She no longer felt sleepy after the fuss he kicked up, especially when she noticed how his hand had begun to wander inappropriately again. Calista bounced up from the bed in a flurry of excitement. "I'm not sleepy anymore. Besides, I want to save some leave days for our honeymoon."Before Lucian could even react, he realized that the hand that had, until moments ago, been caressing her smooth flesh, was now hanging in mid-air. He chuckled as he watched Calista rush into the bathroom."I just wanted to give you a massage because you said your back was aching. What did you think I was going to do?"Calista didn't respond. By the time she came out from the bathroom, Lucian had gotten changed and was standing in front of a mirror fastening his cuffs. Seein
Calista had told Lucian that their seats were in a corner. She hadn't lied to him about that. She must've said "Sorry, excuse me" countless times before they finally reached their seats.Yara watched the stage in front of her. The staff were doing their final inspections. Because of the distance, all she could make out were the vague silhouettes of people. She couldn't distinguish any of their features. She let out a deep sigh. She looked dispirited."I'm never joining in on the fun again. It's more exciting to watch him on screen when the camera switches between distant and close-up shots. We have his face pictured in high definition. You can even count the wrinkles he has.""Didn't you say it was more exciting to see his abs in person?" Calista asked."All I can see is a mess of flesh-colored blobs from here. I can't even tell the differences between abs, pecs, and beer bellies. What's the point?"The concert started soon after with the main act taking the stage. The audience'
However, before Yara could leave the restaurant, Timothy caught her in the act. "Why are you in such a hurry? Where are you going?"Yara felt as if she was being strangled as she stood stiffly in place. After a brief pause, she spun around and forced a smile. "I'm done eating, so I'm going home. You guys can take your time.""I'm also done. Let's go," Timothy said."You're just going to leave? Shouldn't you say something to them before you go?" Yara asked. Although she was facing him, she was already slowly backing away. She looked ready to make a run for it."Do you think he cares if I go over there and tell him I'm leaving?" Timothy asked.Yara glanced at the couple chatting between themselves softly a short distance away. It didn't take a genius to know that they wouldn't care at all.She pointed to her car parked at the entrance of the restaurant. "My car is parked out there. We'll just walk out together."Yara had turned her nose up in the air as smug pride flashed in her e
The next day, Lucian headed to the address Hannah had provided. The door swung open the moment he knocked on it. It was as if someone had been waiting for him. A little girl hurriedly handed him a letter and shut the door.Although it was summer, Hannah was dressed in long sleeves. Lucian had caught a fleeting glimpse of the injuries hidden beneath her dirtied cuffs. There was a large red patch that looked swollen. The blisters dotting it made it look like a burn.After getting into the car, Lucian didn't get the driver to drive off immediately. Instead, he opened the letter first.They had caught the mystery man who killed Cailyn at the Gordon's residence. The kidnapping case had also been solved. He was the one behind it all. The police had all the evidence they needed to connect him to several other criminal cases. Although Fletcher had yet to be implicated, it was only a matter of time. The police had already found out that the two of them knew each other and were in contact.
Lucian wanted to say no. He had seen many doctors and had treatment plans proposed. But he hesitated to decide because he didn't agree with the plan…He had finally gotten together with Calista and didn't want to cause any more problems. However, he caved under her concerned gaze. Lucian nodded. "Okay. I'll go to a doctor."Calista was finally satisfied. "Does it still hurt?"The man shook his head. "No."She scrutinized him. While it was true that Lucian looked unwell, he didn't seem to be in pain."What doctors have you been seeing?"Lucian mentioned the names of several doctors, but deliberately left out the name of the doctor who proposed the treatment plan.Calista wasn't in the medical field, so she had never heard of any of them. But knowing Lucian, the ones he found must've been the best in the industry."All these people and there's still no solution?""Yeah…" Lucian seemed exhausted. He rubbed his temples and closed his eyes.Calista immediately grew worried seeing
When Lucian noticed how she no longer seemed as angry, he reassured her, "I'll contact other doctors to see if there are any other treatment options available. I won't have to suffer this pain forever."Calista had yet to let go of her anger. But she was now more preoccupied with her thoughts, leaving her rather absentminded. If it were as simple as he claimed it to be, Paul wouldn't have come all this way."Paul, if his illness continues to be left untreated, what's going to happen to him?""You'll probably have to keep him on a leash. Otherwise, he'll get lost if he goes out. He won't be able to find his way back. With his memory deteriorating, he won't be able to do math. He'll stutter when he speaks and he won't be able to walk in a straight line. In short, there's a high probability he'll end up like an Alzheimer's patient."Calista was rendered speechless.Lucian frowned. "What are you talking about?" Alzheimer's was something casually mentioned to dismiss him. "Callie, it's
Seconds after the message was sent, Hugo video-called her. Calista picked up and stared at him. "Dad…"The middle-aged man on her screen scrutinized her as he eagerly asked, "What's going on, Calista? Why are you suddenly asking about doctors? Are you feeling sick? Are you looking for a psychiatrist or a neurologist? They sound similar, but they treat different ailments."He spoke so quickly that Calista struggled to get a word in. "It's not for me. It's for Lucian.""Oh." Hugo's anxiety bled away on hearing her words. It was clear from his expression that he didn't think it was that big of a deal. "What's wrong with him? Why does he need two doctors? Is he so rich that he's suffering from an illness no one else is dealing with?"Calista briefly explained Lucian's situation to him. After listening to her, he gave it some thought before saying, "I'll ask around.""Thanks, Dad." She then asked a few more questions about his health. Before they hung up the call, Hugo suddenly said,
David's efficiency was exceptional. It only took him five days to rescue Hannah from the abusive man. After consulting her, a list of suitable families who had visited the orphanage within the past month was quickly compiled.That man had long grown tired of her. When she was still living with Cailyn, he hardly ever saw her, nor did he have to spend a dime on her. All had been well and good. But now, with Cailyn dead, he was desperate to get rid of her. Despite several attempts to abandon her, the police always brought her back.When David offered to take Hannah away, the abusive man demanded 100 thousand dollars from him in exchange.Although Calista had no idea how the matter was resolved, she knew that no money was handed over. All she heard was that the man eventually begged David to take Hannah away.David sent Calista the adoption list. "Mr. Northwood wants you to make the decision, Madam."She was working when she received the list. Glancing at it cursorily, she didn't find