: 3

Ever since he unilaterally decided to take responsibility for Roxanne Young, it wasn't just me—even Mrs. Alden rarely saw him.

She was afraid of worrying me, so she always forced a smile and kept her troubles to herself.

But I heard Mrs. Alden's lonely sigh in the middle of the night as she gazed out the window.

I knew she missed her son.

Mrs. Alden had been both mother and father to Cole, raising him all by herself. Now, she could only watch as he drifted further and further away, leaving his aging, ailing mother far behind.

I knew perfectly well that the reason he stayed out so often was because his mind was entirely focused on Roxanne Young.

But Mrs. Alden didn't know.

She just assumed he was busy with work, so she didn't dare even mention how much she missed him, afraid of being a burden.

If I didn't agree to take care of Roxanne Young's child, Cole would undoubtedly go himself.

The medical task force was already at capacity, work at the hospital was slow, and Mrs. Alden's health was stable.

Rather than get into a stubborn argument with him, I might as well use this as a chance for him to spend more time with his mother and lift her spirits.

I looked at Cole and asked tentatively,

"Mom isn't well. If I go take care of Roxanne Young's son, who will stay home and look after her?"

Cole frowned.

"What could be wrong with Mom? She's been getting stronger and stronger. How long has it been since she's had an episode?"

"You say you're staying home to look after her, but aren't you really just using it as an excuse to be lazy?"

"Fine, I'll stay home and take care of Mom, alright? Roxy is already having a hard enough time at the hospital. Stop being so jealous and manipulative!"

His entitled tone made my blood boil.

But the thought of Mrs. Alden made me force it down.

'Whatever. I'll just do it to make her happy.'

I never could have imagined at the time that this very decision would cost Mrs. Alden her life.

After Roxanne Young was hospitalized, Cole never forgot to bring a gift every time he visited.

Everything from snacks and flowers to designer jewelry.

He said that as a cancer patient, Roxanne Young needed to stay positive, and gifts would lift her spirits.

In the name of "lifting her spirits," our bank accounts were nearly drained. I'd fought with him about it countless times.

He insisted on playing the big spender and refused to compromise, but we didn't have the money to support his extravagant spending.

This Hermès bag, the one with the medicine inside, was a gift I bought for myself three years ago when I was finally promoted to Chief Physician.

Three years later, it was still pristine. I treasured it, keeping it free of the slightest scuff.

Back then, he'd even berated me for being a spendthrift, calling me wasteful and vain.

I never thought he'd take advantage of me not being home to take my bag and regift it to her.

And all I did was tell him the medicine was in the bag. He, however, thought I was being passive-aggressive and mocking him about it.

My fists clenched at the thought of what he'd done.

But with Mrs. Alden in critical condition, I had no time to worry about material possessions.

All I wanted was to call him back immediately. I was even willing to swallow my pride and explain, as long as I could get Cole to give Mrs. Alden her medicine quickly.

But I dialed his number and waited for a long time, only to find it wouldn't connect—

Cole had actually blocked me!

I was so frantic I could barely think straight!

'What is Cole thinking?'

'Mrs. Alden is having an episode! How could he block me, her doctor?!'

I had no other choice. Remembering he'd given the bag to Roxanne Young, I had to find her number in my contacts and try calling her instead.

This time, it went through.