Chapter 18

"Let's pretend those dating days never happened."

He wanted to withdraw his love for me, even thought it was feigned. I gave a resigned smile. "Hum, my exact sentiments."

"Caroline, I agreed to the divorce then because I've always owed Gwen a wedding ceremony and I want to compensate her. It was never my intention to hurt you so I apologize and I'll be here if you ever require any help."

"Seems like you still have lingering feelings for your ex-wife?" I snickered and reminded him. "There's nothing to be sorry about. You don't love me and that's that, there's nothing contrite about it. Don't tell me you're feeling remorseful after we've divorced and you're starting to develop feelings for me on top of having doubts about whether you still love Gwen! If that's the case, Dixon, you're pathetic."

Dixon hesitated momentarily before responding. "Caroline, you don't have to use such a condemning tone. Admittedly, I wronged you previously, but that doesn't justify you overstepping boundaries."

"So what's the point behind this call?"

"Regarding your child, it's my fault..."

"Hold up, I don't accept your apology. You should apologize to the child, not me, for what you did to him. I know what you're trying to get at, you want to apologize to me so you can have a clear conscience when you marry Gwen, right?"

Dixon made no comment.

I hung up his call and threw the phone into the pocket of my overcoat after switching it off. After pondering for a while, I decided to switch it back on and texted Dixon. "You know what, I don't blame you. We'll go our separate ways and you can live a blissful life with Gwen while I'll aim for my own fresh start."

My perfunctory and superficial words would probably not reassure Dixon that I had truly forgiven him.

However, at that moment, Summer's predicament was truly the only worry on my mind.

At the end of the day, I had brought all this mess upon myself.

My ignorant and dense self had committed these irrevocable mistakes.

"I'm deserving of all the misery I'm currently suffering from!"

I exhaled slowly as my body went numb.

My legs buckled and I knelt on the sandy ground. The waves came crashing towards me and just as I was about to be engulfed by the body of water, a pair of hands grabbed me and lifted me up.

The tears flowed freely down my cheeks as I identified who those strong arms belonged to.

"Brother Henry, when did you come back?"

He was a handsome man with defined facial features and he stared forlornly at me.

Henry Cook had been adopted by my mother two decades ago but had returned to his biological family when he was 15 and I was eight. We had never met face to face since then and had merely kept in contact through video calls, which had been scant to begin with, so it was astounding that I had recognized him with a single look.

He responded. "I took leave from work and thought of coming back to Wu City to visit you."

He ruminated and continued. "You don't seem happy."

"Yes, I'm very unhappy with my life."

"Return to S City with me."

"No, this is my home."

"Alright then, I'll accompany you for the next few days."

"Okay, thank you brother."

I was thankful for his timely appearance.

Henry loosened his grip on me and squatted as he gestured for me to get onto his back. I proceeded to hug his neck obediently and he asked glumly. "Is your pallid complexion due to sickness?"

I confirmed his supposition directly. "Yes, I'm sick."

Henry pressed patiently, "Have you seen a doctor?"

"Yes, the doctor informed me that there was no cure."

His voice dropped to a whisper. "What kind of incurable disease?"

"Cancer, advanced stage."

He was dumbfounded.

Henry sent me home and brought some water and my medicine to me. After taking them, I lay on the bed and queried, "Where's sister-in-law? I heard the two of you were arguing over an imminent breakup the last time around."

"She demands a break-up day in, day out, and I'm weary of it. Let's not talk about her because you're the focus of my concern now. How did you land yourself in this miserable state?"

Henry's words were laced with despondency and dismay.

This situation was implausible to him.

I comforted him. "It's alright, I know you're appalled because I took such an extended period of time to digest this matter. Since I've already accepted my fate, you shouldn't be upset as your sorrow will affect my spirits as well."

He managed a helpless response and said, "Allow me to take care of you."

"Alright, thank you Brother Henry."

Morning dawned upon me and I was rudely awakened by a piercing pain. I pressed against my stomach as I struggled to get two painkillers into my mouth. After the pain subsided, I took a shower and applied some make-up before descending the stairs.

The sight of Henry preparing breakfast in the kitchen greeted me and he glanced up as my entrance alerted him. Discernible distress shrouded his features when he saw me.

"Carol, your nose is bleeding."

My fingers grazed across my nose and strength failed me as I crumpled into his warm embrace. I gazed at him dazedly through my lashes.

"Maybe the symptoms are surfacing, could you send me to the hospital?"

Henry acted upon my request and took me to the hospital. The doctor injected morphine into my veins but the pain took its own sweet time to abate as I laid motionless on the bed. Following the doctor's exit, I put on my overcoat and prepared to take my leave when I caught sight of Henry seated on the bench. His reddened eyes stole attention away from his proud features. I asked softly, "Have you been crying?"

Hearing my words, he made a conscious effort to withdraw his gaze.

He chided gently, "Foolish child, why must you put yourself under such torment? How am I supposed to explain it to your mother? And why did you not notify me earlier? I could have come to Wu City earlier to accompany you. It's painful to imagine how you survived till now and how vulnerable you must have been."

"Brother Henry, this is destiny. There's nothing to be sad about."

He instructed firmly but softly. "Come here, I'll give you a piggyback home."

I ran over cheerily. "Okay, you must take me home."

I climbed onto his back and clung onto his neck as I shut my eyes.

He secured both his hands around my legs as he went on his way steadily.

Just as we arrived at the entrance of the hospital, a despicable voice called out my name and exclaimed with superficial astonishment. "Why are you here? Who is this guy?"

The voice belonged to Gwen Worth. There existed no bigger misfortune than having bumped into her.

I was feeling too lazy to entertain her and so I closed my eyes and pretended to be oblivious to her questions.

Henry noted my reaction and he likewise wanted to disregard her presence and leave with me, however, Gwen obstructed him and questioned brazenly. "Who are you? Do you know her?"

An impassive voice interrupted her. "Gwen, don't be impudent."

Henry readied himself to leave, but the same stone-cold voice stopped him. "Mr. Cook, I heard the news of your visit to Wu City a while back but I did not expect us to meet in such an abrupt manner. You and Ms. Shaw..."

"Mr. Gregg, she's unwell. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."

Henry smiled sardonically and snickered. "I wonder if Mr. Gregg has a screw loose, seeing that such a trivial woman is being prized by him. She 's nothing compared to Carol."

He was largely aware of my plight and so his trenchant words were directed at Gwen Worth.

I was not inclined to converse with them and thus I continued my fake slumber on Henry's back.

Gwen perceived the insult in Henry's words and retorted involuntarily, "What nonsense are you spouting? If I'm trivial, she's got to be more undeserving than me!"

"Oh?" Henry incited her. "You believe you're more esteemed than her?"

Gwen was prepared to snap back when Dixon stopped her in her tracks.

"Gwen, shut up."

Henry delivered a derisive reminder, saying, "Mr. Gregg, rein your woman in."

Dixon countered. "This business does not concern Mr. Cook."

Henry carried me back to the Shaw house but I was oblivious to the pair of eyes that followed me as I made my escape and never looked back.