Chapter 43
"What did you say?!" Ethan Sullivan staggered back, his face turning deathly pale.
Susan Thompson took a deep breath and recounted the tangled history between her and Andrew Lucas. The pain she had buried deep inside now poured out effortlessly.
"Daniel is Andrew's child," Susan murmured, lowering her lashes. "He just refuses to believe it."
"As for Nicole..." She hesitated. "She's your biological sister. Believe it or not."
"Susan!" Ethan suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. "I believe you! Nothing will come between us!"
Her eyes burned with unshed tears. His fierce devotion moved her, yet twisted her heart with sorrow.
She looked up into his determined gaze. Maybe she deserved a second chance?
Then the doctor's cold diagnosis flashed through her mind, crushing that fragile hope.
"Don't reject me yet." Ethan gently stroked her hair. "I can wait."
Before she could respond, he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead and walked away.
Watching his retreating figure, Susan whispered, "I know you're wonderful..."
Hidden in the shadows, Andrew clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He had followed out of concern, only to witness this scene.
"Heh." His lips curled into a mirthless smile, the last trace of warmth vanishing from his eyes.
Back in her apartment, Susan scrubbed furiously at the telltale marks on her skin. Only when her flesh turned raw did she finally give up.
As she prepared to leave for the hospital, her legs suddenly gave out. Collapsing onto the couch, she broke into a cold sweat.
Fifteen minutes later, she managed to drag herself up. The bitter taste of painkillers coated her tongue.
The hospital corridor was eerily quiet. Daniel sat on his bed counting red envelopes, his face lighting up when he saw her.
"Mom, Uncle Ethan gave me the thickest envelope!"
She ruffled his hair, relieved the surgery funds were finally secured.
After tucking Daniel in, she barely had time to rest when a sharp pain shot through the back of her neck—
Darkness swallowed her whole.