Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia turned towards the commotion.
A young woman was clinging to a doctor’s white coat, her expression filled with despair. The doctor looked equally helpless. “I’m really sorry, but her medical expenses are substantial. I can’t cover them for you,” he explained.
“Please, perform the surgery first! I promise to pay the bills gradually afterward, please! I beg of you!”
The woman pleaded desperately, dropping to her knees and clinging to the doctor’s leg.
The doctor sighed, unable to offer much comfort.
A crowd had gathered. Some watched with curiosity, others were indifferent, and a few looked genuinely sympathetic.
Alicia frowned at the scene and began walking toward the distressed woman.
Monica grabbed her arm. “Alicia, are you really going to help?”
Alicia replied, “I think she looks familiar. I want to see what’s going on.”
Monica hesitated for a moment but seemed moved by the woman’s desperate cries. “Alright, I’ll come with you.”
Alicia made her way through the crowd until she reached the woman.
When she got closer, Alicia recognized her as Lilliana’s assistant.
Without hesitation, Alicia bent down and helped the woman stand.
The assistant’s face looked drained, and her eyes seemed unfocused. Even as Alicia supported her, she continued to cling to the doctor’s coat, refusing to let go.
The doctor spoke gently. “I’ll help you start a fundraising campaign. It’s the only thing I can do for now.” With those words, he turned and walked away.
The assistant tried to follow him, but she was too exhausted. She collapsed right in front of Alicia.
Seeing the crowd watching, Alicia decided to lead the assistant away from the scene. She found a quiet corridor where they could sit down.
Monica soon returned with a bottle of water.
Alicia comforted the assistant. Eventually, she managed to calm her down. However, the assistant’s tears continued to fall.
“Thank you… I need to go back and check on my sister. Thank you for comforting me,” the assistant said, preparing to leave.
Alicia gently held her hand. “What illness does your sister have?” she asked.
The assistant seemed to recognize Alicia but avoided making eye contact.
She was unwilling to share the details.
Alicia wasn’t sure about the assistant’s character, but it was clear she was in a dire situation.
Alicia thought she might be able to help, and perhaps this was an opportunity worth pursuing.
The assistant felt a wave of guilt and hurried away. Alicia didn’t try to stop her. Within those few moments, Alicia had already made up her mind. “If you need any help, reach out. I’m sure you know how to contact me.”
The assistant hesitated for a second. She then turned and ran off, avoiding looking back.
Alicia watched her stumble away and let out a sigh.
Monica spoke up, breaking the silence. “I remember now. She’s Lilliana’s assistant. I’ve seen her in photos online before. If she went as far as kneeling to a doctor, she must be desperate. Either Lilliana doesn’t know about this, or she just refuses to help. Alicia, are you planning to do something for her?”
Alicia felt torn.
She needed to talk this over with Caden.
“I’ll go check on her sister first,” Alicia stated. “Monica, thank you for being here with me. You can go ahead if you have things to do. I’ll just take a quick look.”
Monica shook her head. “I don’t have anything urgent. I’ll come with you.”
The assistant’s name was Gina Mendoza, and her sister, Harley Mendoza, was suffering from a brain tumor. The tumor was causing nerve compression, making surgery risky. Because of that, they had initially chosen conservative treatment.
Now, an emergency had come up, and Harley needed immediate surgery. The cost was enormous. It amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars-an amount Gina simply did not have.
That explained why Gina had knelt and pleaded with the doctor earlier.
After wiping away her tears, Gina went to get some food for her sister. She spent a long time coaxing Harley to eat a little, but it all ended up being in vain as Harley vomited everything back up.
Harley was still young, but her face was pale, and she was so weak that she couldn’t even muster the strength to cry.
Gina stood facing away from the door, wiping her tears while her shoulders trembled visibly.
Alicia watched from outside the window, her heart aching at the sight.
The hospital had already started the fundraising campaign, and Alicia made a contribution. Harley had no part in the mess that had led to this.
After some time, Alicia and Monica decided to part ways. Alicia wasted no time. She immediately sent a message to Caden.
“I need to see you right away.”
Caden read the message and responded quickly. “Head to the apartment.”
After replying, he left to buy some condoms.
Alicia was already waiting downstairs at Caden’s office building.
“I can come up if you’re free now,” she messaged him.
Caden was a little surprised at her eagerness.
Did she want to do this in the office?
He couldn’t deny that the idea of having sex in his office was intriguing.
Caden responded, “Yes. I’ve granted you access. Go on up.”
Alicia’s reply came quickly. “Are you not in the office?”
“I’ll be there soon. Just wait for me,” Caden answered. He had just arrived at the pharmacy and was in the middle of picking up a few things.
He carefully chose two boxes of condoms and added several aftercare products to the basket.
After finishing his shopping, Caden made his way back to the company. On the way in, he ran into Hank.
Hank looked anxious, holding his phone as if it were burning his hand. “It’s Mrs. Ward,” he said.
Caden frowned. “Why haven’t you answered it?”
Hank replied, “I answered the first call, but she insisted on speaking directly with you. She sounded really upset. I think she’s ready to come storming over here.” The phone continued ringing persistently, and the sound was growing more and more grating.
Caden sighed, realizing he had no choice. He headed toward the lounge to take the call.
As soon as he answered, Ciara began demanding answers. “Your doctor told me you haven’t gone for your follow-up in ages. Care to explain why?”
Caden had anticipated this.
He replied in a flat tone, “I’ve been feeling fine.”
“Not this again! You always use that excuse to avoid your treatments. Do you think I’m that easy to fool?” she snapped.
“It’s different this time,” Caden countered.
Her anger only seemed to escalate. “You said the exact same thing last time! Can’t you at least come up with something new? I’m sick of hearing this!”
Caden didn’t reply, choosing silence instead.
Ciara continued, “If you refuse treatment, I’ll come over myself to make sure you’re doing what you’re supposed to. I’ll be there next week, so you’d better be taking care of yourself.”
“Medicine. If I find anything wrong, you’ll regret it!”
Caden rubbed his temples in frustration. “Why bother with treatment anyway? It’s just a minor issue.”
Ciara snapped back, “How do you expect me to get great-grandkids if you don’t take care of yourself? Don’t you want to get married? Do you plan on staying single forever?”
“You want great-grandkids? I’ll have Hank sort that out for you,” Caden replied.
Hank was shocked. What? Why me? he thought to himself.
Caden knew continuing the argument would only make Ciara angrier, so he decided to end the call.
Hank took the phone back, looking worried. “Mrs. Ward seems serious this time. Maybe it’s best if you listen and cooperate with the treatment.”
Caden replied indifferently, “If she hadn’t called, I’d already be getting treated.”
Hank stood there, momentarily bewildered.
His eyes fell on the pharmacy bag in Caden’s hand, and realization dawned on him. “Mr. Ward, are you buying random medications again?”
Caden stepped into the elevator, moving the bag to his other hand.
Hank hurried in after him.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” Hank asked. He worried that Caden might be rushing things and taking the wrong pills. “You’re not a doctor. What if you make a mistake? What if it causes a problem?”
Caden replied, “You don’t need to worry about it.”
“Of course I have to worry! Mrs. Ward made it clear I need to watch over you. It’s one thing if you refuse proper treatment, but if you take the wrong medicine, she’s going to kill me.”