Chapter 124


    Chase furrowed his brow in confusion. I heard you saved somebody recently. Howe you can’t


    do it today?”


    The girl I savedst time rallied after the effects of the drug she ingested had weakened


    considerably, the doctor exined. “She had lost a lot of blood by the time she got to me. You


    know her, actually. She’s the daughter of the man you referred to me for heart valve surgery.”


    Chase’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re talking about ra?”


    “Yes, that’s the girl. Mr. Anders was the one who brought her in. She was in pretty bad shape,


    having lost a significant amount of blood. But I’ve never seen someone fight through the effects of a


    drug like that on their own before.”


    The room fell silent at these words, and all eyes turned ton. He slowly opened his eyes from a


    semi–conscious state. There was no hint of light in his gaze, only endless pain and


    sorrow.


    Dr. Lee’s words echoed in his mind.


    ra had been drugged with an aphrodisiac that day, but she hadn’t needed Anders‘ help. She had


    fought through it on her own, bleeding profusely. She nearly died.


    At that critical moment, when she neededn the most, what had he done? He had called her just


    another woman he had yed with, said he was now tired of her, and tossed her aside.


    The


    memory of ra’s look when she heard those words maden’s heart wrench with pain. He


    clutched the sheets, crying out ra’s name in agony. Blood began to trickle from his nostrils.


    Heidi burst into tears, grabbing Rose’s arm in desperation. “Grandma Rose, please let me helpn.


    If this goes on, he’s going to die. I promise I won’t tell my parents, and I won’t use this against him. I


    just want him to live.”


    Her cries were heartbreaking, and her plea was sincere.


    Rose looked from her grandson’s tormented state to Heidi’s earnest request, her brow furrowed


    deeply. After a long pause, she finally spoke. “Ian, I want to hear what you think.”


    With those words, Rose understood his meaning. Her eyes reddened, and she said, “Are you sure


    you can endure this? I could swallow my pride and ask ra to help you.”


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    “No! Everyone, get out! I don’t need anyone!”


    10:40


    He couldn’t bear to ask ra for help. He had not only been absent during her time of greatest


    pain but had also deeply wounded her already fragile heart


    Rose turned to the others. “Put him on the bed and leave the room. Let Dr. Lee keep watch. If ra


    could endure, I believe he can, too.”


    “This could kill him. I can’t just watch my son die,” Leonora protested, for the first time openly


    defying Rose.


    Rose looked at her coldly. “Getting Heidi involved now would be throwingn into the fire. He’s


    already wronged ra. If he gets involved with Heidi now, he’ll never know peace.” She used her


    cane to drive everyone out without mercy.


    He longed to hold ra, to be lost with her in madness, as they had been before.


    <pn murmured ra’s name almost unwittingly. The more he yearned for her, the more his heart


    ached. Summoning all his will, he dialed ra’s number.