Chapter 288


    Millie, after taking ast nce, exited the ward with her thoughts forpany.


    At the party, Lois had been a beacon of grace and intellect. Today, she was a shadow of her former self, worn thin by


    circumstance.


    What kind of woman was Leon in search of when he neglected such a treasure?


    Was he truly that callous, living detachedly in his self-constructed realm?


    Back at the car, Marcus entered but remained stationary. Millie watched him, puzzled. Why the dy in their departure?


    Marcus, deep in thought, directed his attention to Millie’s baster wrist.


    “Self-harm is the most foolish act a woman canmit. Promise me you won''t resort to such extremes in the future.”


    “What?” Millie was taken aback. What was he hinting at? But before she could decipher his cryptic statement, Marcus switched


    his focus to the road.


    Back in the hospital, Leon went to procure Lois’ diagnosis report and made his way to the staircase. He leaned against the door


    frame, pulling out a cigarette, its smoke dissipating into the sterile air.


    Once pristine in the morning light, he now sported stubble, and a certain cloudiness veiled his eyes.Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    His memory stirred at the recollection of Lois’ desperate phone call. She had chastised him for his heartlessness and mocked


    herself for her failures.


    In her self-deprecating monologue, she professed that no amount of effort could melt his frozen heart. She was a defeated


    woman.


    Despite being wless in every aspect, she experienced repeated failures, resulting in her being covered in wounds. She


    remained oblivious to her true identity.


    Recalling their first meeting, she reminisced about her innocent attempt to connect with him over a slice of cake. Yet, he greeted


    her impatiently, only showing a flicker of interest at the sight of the cake. She was hopelessly smitten, and this marked the onset


    of her torment.


    Leon didn’t say anything to her over the phone. Her sobs echoed over the phone, followed by a metallic thud.


    Ever since their first encounter at the Thomas family banquet, Lois had been drawn. to Leon, the aloof boy hiding in the corner,


    engrossed in his games.


    His aloofness, his seeming indifference—none deterred her from observing him in secret and prying about his identity.


    Discovering that he was the long-lost grandson of the Thomas family shocked and saddened her.


    “If it was anyter, she wouldn’t have survived,” echoed the doctor’s stern warning.


    He stressed the importance of nurturing her and stimting her will to live through conversation and care.


    With these words reverberating in his mind, Leon toyed with his cross pendant, his eyes shut as he leaned against the cold wall.


    Aisha had given him that cross pendant, assuring him it would ward off harm and urging him not to get hurt, for she would worry.


    Her voice was a tranquil stream flowing through the mountain valley of his memory. A bitter pain twisted his face. Aisha had


    vanished long ago, and she never returned.