Chapter 17

The doctor adjusted his glasses, eyeing the well-dressed man suspiciously. "You didn't know the patient has terminal stomach cancer? Are you really her family?"

Andrew's fingers dug into his palms. His Adam's apple bobbed.

"Refusing medication despite such pain!" The doctor frowned disapprovingly. "This is playing with her life!"

Andrew's pupils constricted. He knew exactly why Susan avoided medicine—he'd personally thrown her pills out the window.

The memory of Susan desperately reaching out the window suddenly stabbed his nerves. He pressed a hand to his chest, but the searing pain wouldn't subside.

"Who are you to her? If you're not family, notify her relatives immediately. She doesn't have much time left."

"She won't die!" Andrew's sudden outburst made the doctor recoil. His bloodshot eyes were terrifying. "I forbid it! No one takes her away!"

The doctor gathered courage. "Sir, be realistic. In her condition, she has maybe a week—"

Before she finished, Andrew's explosive rage sent her scrambling to her office. One more second and she feared he'd snap her neck.

"Andrew, why do brides wear veils?"

"To grow old together."

"Andrew, when we marry, I'll wear a veil too—be your most beautiful bride."

Susan's smiling memory burned his eyes. She promised to grow old with him. How could she break that promise?

When Susan was wheeled out of emergency, Andrew crushed her to his chest. "Just stay alive, Susan. I'll forget everything."

Waking to Andrew's red-rimmed eyes, Susan thought she dreamed.

"Andrew?" Her weak smile trembled. "I'm dreaming of you again..."

"Not a dream." He gripped her hand, voice rough. "I'm here, Susan."

Feeling his warmth, Susan knew it was real. Before she spoke, Andrew's near-broken voice demanded, "Why didn't you tell me about the cancer?"

"I did..." she whispered. "You didn't believe me."

Andrew froze. He recalled his own words—"Good riddance!" Now each syllable carved his heart.

"You won't die." He buried his face in her neck. "We'll grow old together..."

Susan leaned into his embrace—warmth she'd never dared imagine.

"Andrew, Daniel is truly yours." She gathered courage. "Take the paternity test. Then you'll know I never lied."

Andrew's eyes darkened. Those vile images remained like thorns, yet he nodded. "Fine. I'll test."

Susan's eyes lit instantly. "Then...could you lend money for Daniel's surgery? He's fading..."

"Just stay alive." Andrew kissed her pale lips. "I'll give you anything."

The tender kiss shattered hearts. Remembering Nicole's pregnancy, Susan tasted bitterness. But with limited time left, having Andrew's company and Daniel's surgery chance was fortune enough.

Nicole's sudden high fever and coma interrupted their fragile peace. Andrew rushed to another hospital.

After five hours, Nicole stabilized. Andrew muttered reassurances before hurrying back. Outside Susan's room, he overheard a doctor's hallway call:

"Can you believe it? Faking illness is one thing, but terminal cancer? First time in my career!"