Chapter 1343

Rosa looked up, sighing in relief at the sight of Joe. “Ned, you’re finally here. I was so scared doing all those tests alone.”

“What did the doctor say?” Joe asked.

“We’re waiting on one test result. If all is well, I’ll be in surgery this afternoon,” Rosa replied.

Joe nodded, his expression somewhat distant. This made Rosa anxious. “Yesterday, you said you had something to tell me after my surgery. Could you tell me now?”

“After the surgery,” Joe replied.

Rosa’s heart skipped a beat. “Could you give me a hint? I’m curious. Are we getting married right after my surgery?”

Joe frowned slightly. “Focus on your surgery. We’ll discuss everything after that.” His firm tone chilled her. It wasn’t about marriage; his reaction showed he hadn’t even considered it.

“Ned, be honest with me. Is there someone else? I’m about to undergo surgery, and I need the truth,” Rosa pleaded nervously.

Joe’s expression hardened. “You need to stay calm.” He turned and left.

Rosa watched him go, stunned. A disquieting feeling settled over her—he had serious doubts about his identity, or perhaps he was already convinced he wasn’t Ned.

Calvin entered as Rosa’s mind raced. “Ms. Reese, Mr. Sowle has some business to attend to and will return in an hour. He asked me to stay with you. Please let me know if you need anything.”

Rosa’s eyes glistened. “You work with him every day. Do you know if he’s actually busy, or if he just doesn’t want to be here with me? Does he hate being with me this much?”

Calvin couldn’t answer. Fortunately, Rosa didn’t press further.

An hour later, Joe returned as the nurses prepared Rosa for surgery. She looked genuinely scared as they wheeled her away.

“Ned, I’ll see you after the surgery, right? You’ll be waiting for me?”

“I will. Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” Joe replied.

Rosa searched his eyes, finding no concern. Three years, and he still felt nothing for her.