15
I insisted on taking my aunt and uncle to the hospital for checkups. My aunt’s condition was serious; the doctor recommended a few days of observation. I admitted her to a VIP suite, hired a private nurse, and rented a nearby townhouse for my uncle. They tried to secretly give me money, which I returned.
One evening, after finishing my shift with the nurse, I went to call for takeout. As I reached the hallway, a nurse shouted.
“Make way! Emergency surgery!”
Everyone
pressed
against
the
walls
as
a
sped gurney
past.
My
breath
hitched. It was
Liam!
If not for our seven years together, I wouldn’t have recognized him. He was gaunt, pale, his body reeking of alcohol. I clenched my fist, about to leave, when I overheard a conversation.
“Was that Liam Sterling? What happened to him?” ”
“Serves him right! He had a good wife and had to cheat with that Chloe!”
“Since his wife left, he’s been drinking heavily and frequently visits the hospital.”
I walked away, a chill wind slicing through me. After making the takeout order, I sat down, waiting. A group of people sat opposite me, chatting.
“Did hear? Chloe’s out of prison!”
you
“Chloe? She still had years left. How?”
The first speaker looked around cautiously.
“My cousin works at the prison. Chloe’s pregnant again! The previous incident… worked.”
“They discovered her pregnancy shortly after she was jailed, but Liam kept her locked up, planning an abortion.” “Before he could do it, he collapsed.”
“The Sterlings, fearing he’d be childless, brought Chloe to the family estate. They’re caring for her. They’ll send her away after the baby’s born, telling her never to return.”
I was stunned, until the takeout arrived. I thanked the delivery person and returned to the ward. A cold gust of wind sent a shiver down my spine.
I gave a portion of the food to the nurse, leaving my aunt and uncle. My thoughts lingered on the news. Liam and Chloe were both in this…… hospital–Liam as a patient and Chloe for checkups. If my aunt and uncle ran into them, she’d be distraught. I needed to keep them apar
