Chapter 17
Even if the whole world doubted Gloria, Hayden would still stand firmly by her side.
Just then, Nicole received a message from him.
“Rest early once you get back. There’s something we need to do tomorrow. Also, it’s not convenient for
me to come over tonight.”
Nicole stared at her phone, a bitter thought crossing her mind.
How was it inconvenient? He was probably too busy in bed with Gloria.
She decided to let it go. Getting upset over someone like him wasn’t worth it, not with her departure just
eight days away.
She showered, then forced herself to lie down and rest.
But as soon as she closed her eyes, memories of her once carefree life overseas surfaced.
Back then, Shawn held sole control of the company and shielded her from all troubles. She had been free
to pursue music, eventually earning recognition for her talent. A bright future awaited her until Hayden
entered her life.
Even now, Shawn remained unaware of the cruelty and betrayal she had endured at the hands of her own
husband and son.
She hated the fact that she had less than two months to live. After she was gone, Shawn would be left completely alone, with no family left in the world.
Nicole hugged herself tightly, wiping away the tears that escaped the corners of her eyes.
Exhaustion eventually pulled her into sleep.
The next morning, a persistent knock on the door woke her. Groggy and disoriented, Nicole shuffled over
and opened it.
Hayden stood there in a suit, an unfamiliar man by his side.
“Did you just wake up?” Hayden stepped inside, gently stroking her head. “Perfect. My friend says it’s best
to take your pulse first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach. Sit down.”
Still half–asleep, Nicole blinked at him. “Take my pulse?”
“Yes.” Hayden guided her into a chair by the table. “You’ve been feeling unwell lately, which has me worried. So I brought a friend to check on you. He’s a well–known traditional medicine practitioner, a graduate of a prestigious university. He can tell what’s wrong just by taking your pulse.”
The man stepped forward and introduced himself with a polite smile. “Hello, my name is Howard Xanthos.
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Nicole instinctively pulled her hands closer, her drowsiness vanishing. “Dr. Xanthos…”
She hadn’t expected Hayden to bring a doctor to her so early in the morning and was completely caught off guard.
Not wanting Hayden to discover her brain tumor, she forced a smile. “I’m sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night, so my pulse is racing. Wouldn’t that affect your diagnosis?”
Howard shook his head kindly. “No worries. It won’t interfere.”
He gestured for her hand.
Nicole swallowed nervously, trying again to refuse. “I already had a check–up recently. The results showed I’m fine. Besides, I’ve been feeling better these past few days.”
“Come now, it’s not like I’m billing you for this. Don’t be afraid!”
As he spoke, he took the opportunity when Nicole seemed distracted to place his fingers gently on her wrist.
Nicole stiffened, her heart pounding as panic raced through her mind. She had no idea what to do next.
Time dragged on, and gradually, Howard’s smile faded, replaced by a grave expression.
Hayden, who had been paying close attention to Howard’s expressions, felt a wave of nervousness course through him.
“How is she?”
Nicole kept her head lowered as she curled the fingers of her other hand into a fist. It seemed that what she had feared had still come to pass.
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Chapter 18
