Matthew remembered it clearly back then.The time when Allison started to trust him.Years ago, when he first read that story in her notebook, she told him that she had written the story on a whim. When he expressed his interest in the plot, she asked if he would like to read the next part.So, during one of their tutoring sessions, she gingerly handed him the notebook when they took a ten-minute break.“What’s this?” he asked her. “A new study manual?”Allison didn’t say anything, which was a little odd. Nevertheless, Matthew took the notebook and opened it.It was then that he understood.She had written the continuation and wanted him to read it. She also probably wanted to hear his thoughts.So he read it without hesitation.-The sight of the gray cat on the bed where Mark was supposed to be startled Wendy so much that she almost fell off the bed.“What in the world?” she said, her fingers trembling as she picked up the pajamas that Mark had worn just now. There was no way that s
When they returned to the villa, Matthew’s phone rang with an incoming call. Allison left to go to her room, giving him some privacy. Though it was mostly because she didn’t want to hear him talking to Lily.Matthew stared at the screen of his phone, focused especially on the caller ID.It was Bryce.Matthew took a deep breath before accepting the call. “Hello?”“Matt,” Bryce said, his tone hushed. “The Chairman suddenly got an important call from Germany. It seems that the investor that Mr. Chairman has been persuading for a long time has finally considered his request. He hasn’t returned to the country yet and is currently on a plane flying straight to Germany.”Matthew felt the air escape his lungs, his shoulders sagging with relief. Good. His father didn’t know yet.“I’ve been doing my best to fill in for you. Thanks for at least responding to my emails quickly,” Bryce continued on, though his tone was clearly weary. “I know you’ve always been busy, but I never imagined that it wo
“How are you feeling?” Matthew asked while breakfast was being served on the table. Allison said she felt like eating oatmeal today, so that was what she was eating right now.“I’m feeling okay,” she answered. “It was nice to go outside.”“That’s good,” Matthew said, the relief evident in his words. Her body was delicate right now, and her immune system was weak as well. He needed to observe her condition carefully each day so that she would be healthy enough for the next treatment phase. “What about sleep? I forgot to ask if you slept well last night.”“I slept enough.” Allison didn’t bring up the fact that she slept two hours lesser than she was supposed to. She had been too worried thinking about her slip-up as well as the silliness of the Miracle Well’s concept.Not to mention that he knew about Abigail now…Matthew seemed satisfied with that answer and continued to eat. The two of them had breakfast in comfortable silence, with the only sound coming from using their utensils.“By
Of all the things that Matthew had expected this week, it had never been this one.After acquiring the results of the treatment, the doctor brought him and Allison some bad news. It seemed that the therapy didn’t have much of an effect on the remaining cancer cells.So they decided to try a new therapy on her tomorrow, hoping that it would bring positive results.“It’s still very experimental,” the doctor had explained. “We’ll have the result in a few days.”Later that night, Allison asked him to sit with her on the balcony. She looked more tired than usual, possibly because of the therapy that she went through a few days ago.There was no trace of glumness in her expression though, something that Matthew couldn’t help but notice.Then again, he also noticed that before her doctor’s appointment that day, Allison didn’t seem so anxious. Instead, she went forward with determination, as though believing that this was her last step to recovery.“How are you feeling?” Matthew asked as he t
“Is there something on your mind tonight, Lise?” Matthew asked carefully. He didn’t want to jump to any conclusions just yet. “I’m not sure about this, but I feel like there’s something you want to tell me. Is there?”Allison stilled for a second before eventually nodding. “I’ve been thinking a lot, Mattie,” she said slowly. “About what will happen once the treatment goes well. What I’ll do from then on.”“I see…” Matthew said, letting his voice drift off, silently encouraging her to continue.“I know you won’t be there for me anymore, that this is all just a temporary arrangement,” Allison said. “After going through treatment a number of times, my mind became clearer, and I think I’ve become well enough physically and mentally to come to a decision.”Matthew still had no idea where this was leading, but he kept silent, not wanting to interrupt her.“As I said earlier, I want to rekindle my passion for life. I used to immerse myself in working at the lab, right? Though I’m not sure I
“I should find a job or do freelance work online in the meantime,” Allison muttered as she scrolled through her phone. “I think I’m a little rusty when it comes to writing, so I’ll have to start working on that soon. For now, I’m fine with editing and proofreading. Maybe some popular sites are hiring right now…”A day had passed since the treatment. Allison was becoming chipper, and there was an inner glow to her that Matthew couldn’t deny. She even surprised him earlier after breakfast by claiming that she wanted to go shopping with him.“Shopping?” he had repeated when she brought it up. “You want to go outside? But you just finished with your new therapy yesterday…”“Then… can you do me a favor and buy me a new one instead? I’m fine with just one dress,” Allison told him with an imploring tone. “I’ll have to start looking for a new apartment afterwards. But first, I need a job.”A new apartment? A job?Matthew smiled wryly. It seemed that she was starting to plan her new life witho
A few days had passed, and now, today was probably the day when Allison would receive the results. Even though the doctor didn’t specify what date, it was clear that they would be receiving a call or message within this week.Matthew was anxious. If the treatment didn’t go well, it would spell the worst circumstance for Allison. She would have to be hospitalized again and go through several treatments. Worst case scenario, she would succumb to the cancer—No. No! That wasn’t going to happen. Not on his watch.He would find the best doctor in the entire world to treat her. He would do everything as long as she would get better.She had to get better! She had suffered enough already. She still had a lot of precious years left in her life that she needed to live.However, unlike him, Allison was as calm as ever. It was as if she already knew that it would be successful. The confidence in her stride and the relaxation on her features showed as much.He didn’t know how she could do that. U
Matthew’s head was whirling with questions, and he felt like he forgot how to breathe.What kind of development was this?How easy for her to say that. To say that they should let go of each other, and for good.It sparked something inside of Matthew. Something akin to anger.“How can you say something like that?” he said quietly, trying to control his emotions. “Why should we stay separated from now on? You don’t want to keep in touch with me anymore, is that it?”Allison slowly lowered the clothes in her hand. She was staring at him with something firm in her eyes, and her expression was solemn. “That’s correct,” she said flatly. “Isn’t it the same for you?”Matthew kept his anger in check for a moment. “What?”“Your company needs you, the CEO. Yet you’re here taking care of me, your ex-wife. Once the media gets wind of this, not only will the company get affected, but your girlfriend, Lily, will get involved, too. I don’t want to be in the spotlight anymore, either. It’s not a win-