Chapter 15

The man running toward Sophia was Edison. When he heard that Sophia had been staying at the hospital for two days to accompany Joshua, he dropped everything and rushed over. He had always thought she didn’t care about Joshua, but seeing this scene completely shattered that belief. He stood beside her, slightly out of breath, steadying her trembling body with one hand.

“Sophia, are you feeling unwell?”

Hearing his familiar voice, she turned to look at him with reddened eyes. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words came out. His gaze darkened as he took in her state. He had always believed that she hated Joshua, but what he witnessed today overturned everything he thought he knew. Fear crept into him—fear that this incident would reconcile her with Joshua, jeopardizing everything he had worked to gain.

After a moment of hesitation, he feigned confusion and asked casually, “Joshua has always been healthy. How could he suddenly fall so ill?”

Sophia’s sharp gaze shot toward him. “How do you know the person in the emergency room is Joshua?”

Caught off guard, Edison quickly concocted an excuse, lowering his head and speaking pitifully. “You haven’t reached out to me these past few days. I thought you didn’t want me anymore, so… I secretly asked your assistant where you were.”

“Your assistant told me Joshua was sick, and you were here with him at the hospital.”

Her expression softened as she looked at him, pressing her lips together without responding.

I was laid on the operating table, surrounded by the robotic voices of medical professionals and the cold beeping of machines. “Sophia, now that you know I have terminal cancer, will you finally agree to divorce me? But I’m tired this time. Living is exhausting.” I thought. I let myself sink into the darkness, replaying the moments of my life. In the end, I realized there wasn’t much worth holding on to.

“Dr. Cowell, the patient’s breathing is slowing, and there are abnormalities in the ECG reading!”

The chief physician glanced at the monitor and quickly ordered, “The patient has lost the will to live. Go out and have the family sign the critical condition notice immediately.”

A nurse nodded, picked up the necessary documents, and hurried to the door. She exited the emergency room and walked briskly toward Sophia and Edison.

“Are you the patient’s family? His vital signs are unstable, and we need a signed critical condition notice to proceed with the surgery.” Sophia froze. “What did you say?” How could someone healthy just moments ago, a young man in his twenties, suddenly be at death’s door after only a few hours?

Edison’s eyes flickered, and he urged gently, “Sophia, you should sign it quickly! Joshua’s condition can’t wait.” Though his words seemed concerned, he secretly hoped Joshua would die. That way, he could openly stay by her side. The nurse nodded in agreement. “The situation is critical. Please sign quickly.”

Her hands trembled as she took the pen the nurse handed her, scribbling her name shakily onto the form. She didn’t even know why, but an acute pain had spread from her chest, radiating through her entire body.

The nurse took the signed document and turned to leave when Sophia suddenly stumbled forward, chasing after her. “He’ll be okay, won’t he?”