Chapter 77: Chapter Seventy seven:Three months to live
We followed them inside.
"The patient needs rest," the doctor reminded us. "Please keep your voices down."
"Thank you, doctor," Aunt said gratefully.
"It’s no trouble. If you need anything, let us know," he replied before leaving.
Aunt turned to us. "She’s stable now. You can relax a little. After waiting so long, you should all eat sothing."
"Alicia, you’ve been here this whole ti," she added gently. "Take a break. Now that Nana is stable, don’t exhaust yourself. You’ll need your strength when she wakes up."
"Rose is right," Uncle agreed. "Why don’t you go ho and rest? She may not wake up anyti soon."
"Aunt, you should go ho with Grace," Alexander said. "The driver can bring you back tomorrow."
Though she hesitated at first, we eventually convinced her.
"Uncle, please take them ho. Alicia hasn’t been discharged yet—we’ll wait here," Alexander added.
"Alright. Thank you, Alexander," Uncle said before leaving with Aunt and Grace.
Soon, only Alexander and I were left in the room. A quiet tension settled between us.
"You haven’t eaten, have you?" he asked softly. "After waiting this long, let
get you sothing. Just a quick bite."
"Mm," I nodded.
Alexander turned and walked out, his footsteps echoing faintly in the corridor.
Third Person POV
After leaving the room, Alexander called Jim and asked him to bring food for Alicia. Then, without hesitation, he headed straight to Dr. Harrison’s office.
Inside, Dr. Harrison had just sunk into his chair after the long surgery when a knock sounded at the door.
"Co in."
He rubbed his forehead, exhaustion evident on his face. Though only middle-aged, the demands of his work made him look far older.
"Alexander, it’s you. What can I do for you?"
"Dr. Harrison, I need to know the truth about my grandmother’s condition. I’m alone—you don’t have to hide anything. Please, tell
honestly."
Dr. Harrison straightened, his expression turning grave. He let out a quiet sigh before speaking.
"To be honest, Matriarch Roseline’s health has been declining for years, mainly due to stress. Even though she’s taken care of herself, her body can no longer keep up. The surgery was successful, but her overall condition is still critical."
Alexander’s voice dropped to a whisper. "How much ti does she have?"
Dr. Harrison t his gaze and slowly raised three fingers. "At best, three months. Beyond that... it’s out of my hands. It will depend on fate."
Alexander went rigid, as if struck by an invisible blow. A dull ache spread through his chest.
Three months.
That was all she had left.
He wanted to believe it was so kind of cruel mistake—but deep down, he knew better. If even Dr. Harrison, a leading expert, had no solution...
"Alexander, I know this is difficult to accept," the doctor continued gently. "But the truth is, the chairwoman has already co to terms with her condition. What concerns her most is you."
He hesitated briefly before adding, "I’ve seen the news... Is it true that you and Alicia are getting a divorce?"
Stepping closer, Dr. Harrison placed a hand on Alexander’s shoulder. "She’s the one you’re ant to spend your life with. If things truly can’t be fixed, I won’t interfere. But the chairwoman doesn’t have much ti left. Wouldn’t it be better to let her leave this world in peace?"
Alexander’s eyes reddened as he swallowed hard. "I understand, Dr. Harrison. Thank you."
With a heavy heart, he turned and walked out.
He found a quiet corner, sat down, and stared ahead blankly—like a statue, still and lifeless.
"Mrs. Alicia, Mr. Blackwood asked
to bring you so food," Jim said as he walked in, holding a food box. He set it down and helped her open it.
Alicia looked up. "Where is he?"
"I’m not sure. His car is still downstairs, so he’s probably sowhere in the hospital," Jim replied.
She nodded softly.
With her grandmother’s condition worsening, she knew Alexander must be carrying just as much pain as she was. He was probably alone sowhere, trying to steady himself.
More than anyone, Alicia understood how much Alexander cared about Roseline.
Two years ago, Roseline had fallen gravely ill. At the ti, everyone thought she wouldn’t survive—but she did.
Among all her family mbers, Alicia had been the most devastated. After her father’s death, Roseline had been the only person she could truly open up to. Though she had gradually accepted reality, the pain had never fully faded. On the surface, Alicia seed fine, but deep down, she remained fragile.
Roseline knew this.
She worried constantly about what would happen to Alicia after she was gone. In the end, she made a decision—to entrust Alicia to soone she had raised herself: Alexander.
At that ti, Lilian had just left him. Faced with his grandmother’s failing health, he agreed to the marriage so she could have peace of mind.
And just like that, he found himself married to Alicia—the little girl he had never paid much attention to before.
Alicia’s POV
The room fell silent again after Jim left.
I had little appetite, but thinking of the child growing inside , I forced myself to eat a few more bites. After eating as much as I could, I stood up and walked over to Nana.
I stood there for a mont, staring at her pale face, listening to the steady beeping of the machines. The sound was reassuring, yet it only made the emptiness around
more pronounced.
Slowly, I sat beside her and gently took her hand. It was cold—much colder than I rembered.
My chest tightened.
"Nana... you have to wake up," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "You promised you’d stay with
a little longer..."
My fingers curled around hers.
"If you don’t wake up... what am I supposed to do?"
Tears slipped down quietly, landing on the back of her hand.
Just then, the door creaked open behind .
I quickly wiped my face. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
When Alexander walked in, his expression looked calm, but his eyes were empty, devoid of any warmth.
"You’re back. Co, eat sothing," I said softly, gesturing to the food I had set aside for him.
"Mm."
He sat down, picked up the chopsticks, ate a few bites, then quietly cleaned up and threw the trash away.
"You’re not fully recovered yet. Don’t stay here," he said. "Go back to your room and rest. I’ll stay tonight. If Nana wakes up, I’ll co get you."
I nodded. "Don’t stay up too late. Get so rest when Uncle returns."
"Okay."
Alexander walked
to my room before heading back to keep watch over Nana.
After washing up, I climbed into bed.
I wasn’t sure how long I had been asleep when a sharp knock on the door suddenly woke .I rubbed my eyes instinctively, but my vision remained blurry.
Through the window, I could tell it was still pitch dark outside.
"Who is it?" I asked, getting out of bed and quickly dressing.
From outside ca Alexander’s voice. "Alicia, Nana’s awake. She wants to see you."
"I’m coming." I hurried to finish, opened the door, and said, "Let’s go."
"Wait."
"What’s wrong?" I paused.
Alexander stepped closer and, under my gaze, unbuttoned my shirt slightly before fastening it again. "You were in such a rush, you did it wrong."
If one button was off, they all would be.
"Oh, I didn’t notice. What ti is it?"
"One in the morning."
"Oh"
We walked side by side to Nana’s room,unaware of what was waiting for us.
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