Chapter 242


    After settling Jonas down, Natalia finally spoke. “Lexi. I need to run back to the mansion and check on


    Call You and Jonas can hang out here in my apartment for a bit, Fit be back soon. Could you look after


    Jonas for me in the meantime?”


    ‘Sure, make it quick. And while you’re there, pass on my best wishes. I’ve always been curious about


    Duke Callum, who’s taken care of you all these years,” Lexi responded dismissively waving Natalia off


    Off you doe back soon?


    “Sure” Natalia replied, hurrying out the door


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Not far from the mansion, Natalia didn’t bother grabbing a taxi. To save time, she went on foot, moving


    briskly Luckily, the distance wasn’t too great. After a while, Na saw the all too familiar mansion. She


    quickened her pace, eager to see how Cal was doing. Before long, she passed through the mansion’s


    grand entrance, making her way


    to the main hall


    Rita was rusting out of the mansion when she saw Natalia returning Overjoyed, she ran over,


    shouting. Thank God. Ms rkson is back


    Natalia saw the visibly excited Rita, and her mood lightened a bit ‘Rita, take me to Cal quickly. What


    happened to him?”


    “Sure night away But you must be prepared, Ms. rkson, his condition is quite serious, Rita warned,


    leading Natalia into the mansion


    Natalia stumbled a bit at the news. Had Cal really be incurable? Her mind was a mess if Cal really


    was at death’s door, she didn’t know what she’d do


    The two women quickly reached Cal’s bedroom Before they even entered Natalia could hear the


    distressing sound of coughing It was Caf’s voice, fractured and weak


    Hearing the urgent coughing Natalia immediately pushed open the door


    The room was dimly fit, with curtains blocking out the light. A pungent smell of medicine hung in the air.


    Natalia walked over to therge bed in the room, seeing Callums. feeble figure lying on it. His face was


    so pale it was almost transparent


    Callum’s emaciated figure made Natalia cover her mouth in shock. She’d only been gone for three


    days. What had happened to him?


    Callum, once strong and robust, now looked skeletal His face was sickly pale with a touch of gray, his


    eyes were sunken, and his lips were slightly purple


    Weakly lying on the bed, he heard footsteps and opened his eyes tiredly. Upon seeing Natalia, his


    mood instantly brightened. His previously dull eyes lit up as he struggled to sit up. But after a few


    attempts, he realized he didn’t even have the strength to support himself


    The joy in his eyes turned into disappointment Callum reached out to Natalia, his voice raspy.


    “Buttercup, is that you? Are you really back? I’m not dreaming, am (7°


    Natalia couldn’t contain her emotions any longer. She tightly held Callum’s hand.


    Tears dropped onto the floor as she choked, “Cal, what happened to you? it’s only been three days.


    How did you get like this?”


    Callum forced a smile Buttercup as long as you te back, nothing else matters. I thought you were taken


    by Magnus and wouldn’te back.”


    “Callum, I promised you I’de back, and here I am. But first, tell me what happened Why have you


    be so weak? I just heard from Rita that you


    She couldn’t finish her sentence. She couldn’t ept what Rita had said. How could Cal be dying? He


    was always so strong!


    Callum knew what she wanted to ask and gave her aforting smile. “Natalia, don’t listen to Rita I


    just. I just had a little too much to drink. It’s nothing a few days rest,


    and I be fine


    “Cal, you don’t have to hide it from me Look at yourself, you’re clearly seriously ill! Why aren’t you


    taking care of yourself?”


    in response to her question, Cal didn’t give a direct answer. His heart was filled with euphona, all


    because of Natalia’s return.


    “Natalia as long as you’re back, that’s all that matters Really. I’m fine,” Cal said, hesitantly asking. “But


    will


    Natalia hesitated, unsure of how to answer Cal’s question After all, she didn’t know what the future held


    for her


    you


    leave again?”


    Seeing the conflict in Natalia’s eyes, Cal imagined she couldn’t let go of Magnus. His ted expression


    froze on his face Holding Natalia’s hand, he pleaded, “Butter know I’m being selfish, but i can’t live


    without you Could you stay? I wouldn’t survive without you”


    His hands tightly gripped hers, as if she’d vanish if he let go Natalia felt his hot hands like a burning


    me 1 Cal, your hands are so hot. Look after yoursest heat, okay We’ll talk about everything elseter


    What’s important now is that you get better Natalia said, calling for Rita, who was waiting outside, “Get


    Cal to the hospital quickly!


    Rita came in at Natalia’s call, carefully replying “Ms rkson, ever since you left, my master has been


    constantly drinking And these past few days, when i was raining heavily he justy in the courtyard and


    wouldn’t let us approach him He wouldn’t let us take him to the hospital either. We could only watch as


    hey in the rain for two days until he passed out Only then could we bring him back inside”


    Natalia didn’t expect such a situation She quickly asked, ‘What did the doctors say?”


    Ruta went on The doctor said the master gut sick because he’s been drinking out in the rain for days.


    His body temperatures too low, and be a got a bit


    He needs to take some medicine. But the master refuses to take his pills, and he won’t even drink his


    tea. It’s like he’s trying to torment himself to


    With these words steeled in her heart. Rita quickly excused herself, fearing that she might get a tongue


    lashing from Callum


    Upon hearing this Natalia realized that Callum was trying to wreck his health, which saddened her