Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Lunch was light but generous in portion, as Evelyn would need to fast for ten hours before tomorrow’s surgery. She lay on the bed, uncomfortably full, when Lucas joined her.
“What are you doing?” She stared at the ceiling, not bothering to turn. “You’re getting quite comfortable in my hospital bed.”
“What’s wrong with that!”
Lucas’s composure crumbled instantly, his face flushing red. Since discovering Evelyn’s feelings for him, he’d grown bolder, but being called out made him sit up in embarrassment.
“Lucas,” Evelyn’s voice was gentle, “after my successful surgery, I’ll tell you a secret.”
“Okay.”
Lucas’s cousin Emma took time off to bring Eva to the hospital on surgery day. Though young, she got along well with Eva, who’d already started calling her “Sister Emma” sweetly after less than a week
Evelyn smiled as she took Eva from her arms. “Thank you, Emma. I don’t know what we’d do without you looking after Eva.”
Emma’s mind was reeling. Though illness had made Evelyn thinner, her features perfectly matched the woman in the treasured photograph on Issac’s desk.
Confused, she stared at Evelyn, who frowned slightly. “What’s wrong, Emma?”
“Nothing…” Emma shook her head nervously. This wasn’t the time to investigate – Evelyn was about to
have surgery.
As doctors took Evelyn for pre–surgical checks, Emma texted Marcus.
“Didn’t you say Mr. Hernandez’s love died?”
“Still thinking about that?” Marcus replied quickly. “I’ve learned more! Apparently she committed suicide. After that, Mr. Hernandez started getting psychological counseling. His mental state isn’t great – colleagues say he’s always getting prescriptions from the psychiatric clinic…”
Emma felt a heaviness in her stomach. Watching Evelyn being wheeled away, she picked up Eva and
sighed.
19:30
It’s Too Late for Your Expired Regrets
13.3%
Chapter 19
“Eva, do you know where your daddy is?” she asked softly.
“Daddy?” Eva tilted her head, thinking hard. “Isn’t Uncle Lucas my daddy?”
As a distant cousin of the Reed family, Emma wasn’t clear about the relationship between Lucas, Evelyn, and Eva. Her eyes welled with tears. “Poor Eva. Would you like auntie to take you downstairs for candy?”
“I’m not poor at all!” Eva pouted. “Let’s buy candy for Mommy instead. She says I have cavities, so I can’t
eat sweets.”
Such a thoughtful child without a father, Emma thought. And seeing Mr. Hernandez’s state, there must have been a huge misunderstanding three years ago… Her imagination made her increasingly sad. After telling Lucas she was taking Eva downstairs, she left the hospital.
“Marcus, do you have Mr. Hernandez’s phone number?”
Emma didn’t know what conflicts existed between Issac and Evelyn, but she firmly believed that only communication could solve problems.
It was clear from every angle that Issac loved Evelyn. Emma didn’t want their love to end like this, especially since Issac had been such a good boss.
She wanted to help them, regardless of the outcome, at least to prevent regrets.
Issac had learned about Evelyn’s surgery from the Deputy Director. He stood at the far end of the hospital corridor, watching Lucas hold Evelyn’s hand, speaking to her softly.
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