Chapter 26
Chris glanced at Liam and said, “I’ve met Mrs. Mendez once. She’s very
beautiful, and that’s why I have a deep impression of her.”
He turned to me and said, “I’m honored to be your friend.”
Feeling uneasy, I averted his gaze.
From my previous interactions with him, I did not expect him to be so
hospitable.
Liam glared at Chris for some time before he took my hand and asked me,
“Should I accompany you?”
1/10
Looking into his eyes, I knew he wanted me to say yes. After all, someone was
challenging his dominance over me.
I said, “I’m fine. I can handle this on my own.”
Chapter 26 How Absurd
Liam was still smiling indulgently. He took my fingers next to his lips and
2/10
kissed them. Next, he opened his mouth and put the tips of my fingers inside.
I was so embarrassed, though I knew if I pulled my hands away, he would
beat me at home. I noticed one of the female managers was already
blushing intensely.
She thought that Liam was loving, but she did not know that he was biting my
fingertips, and I was trembling from the pain.
I knew he was threatening me to change my decision, but I said nothing and
played dumb.
Liam bit me for a while before he released me. He rubbed my hands and
said, “Take care. I’ll be waiting for you outside.”
Dr. Hollister assigned several other oncologists to go with me to Dr. Norman’s
temporary office.
I could not find the chance to speak to Chris in private, and I was very
worried.
The doctors bombarded me with questions, and I answered them all.
Eventually, I said, “I’m not comfortable with so many doctors. Can I be alone.
with Dr. Norman?”
The doctors left the office. Only Chris and I remained in the office.
As soon as the door closed, I said, “Dr. Norman, I don’t want my husband to
know about my illness. Can you help me?”
Chris seemed to have expected I would make the request. He straightened
his glasses and said, “Your medical records are private. I can tell him that he
doesn’t have the right to pry.”
“That won’t do. You’ll be implying that I’m ill.” I had already thought of an
excuse. “My husband loves me very much. If he insists on getting me treated,
I’d have to spend the last few months of my life in the hospital.”
“What do you want me to do?” Chris asked.
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“Can you… write him a false report?” I said, “Say that I’m perfectly fine. Don’t
worry, the report is only for him. I can state in my will to prove that you’re only
acting under my orders, so you won’t get into trouble. Also… I wouldn’t ask you
to do it for free.”
Chris shook his head and began typing on his keyboard.
I did not know how else to convince him, so I could only sit on my chair
disappointedly and stare at his face.
There was no sound in the office other than the rhythmic clacking of the
keyboard.
Suddenly Chris said, “If you’re asking me for a favor, you didn’t have to lie to
me.”
did not reply.
Chris pushed the keyboard away and looked me in the eye. “Give me your
hand.”
Chapter 26 How Absurd
I extended my left arm. Chris said, “The other one.”
I extended my right arm to him and explained, “He was a little angry. He
wanted to stay in the room because he was worried I might lie to him.”
The bite marks on my fingers were deep, but Liam did not draw blood.
Chris glanced at my fingers and said, “He has to put up an act in public
anyway. That slap looks like it hurts a lot. I should check if it has any lasting
effects on you.”
“What about the other doctors?” I asked.
“I’ll deal with them,” Chris said. “I want to ask something unrelated though.
Does he beat you often?”
“No, it’s just that we argue sometimes…” I said.
He’s right. I’m asking him for a favor, so I should be more honest.
5/10
Chapter 26 How
I stopped mid-sentence and continued, “Our relationship is strained, and he
has a mistress. I don’t want them to know that I’m about to die. I… don’t want
them to gloat over it… do you understand?”
Chris nodded and said gently, “Thank you for telling me.”
“Thank you for agreeing. If it’s compensation you’re looking for…”
He seemed displeased when I said that. “Let’s not mention that again.”
After that, Chris went through a routine checkup with me.
The female manager returned to the office shortly after we were done. She
seemed anxious. “You don’t have to report to Dr. Hollister,” she said to Chris.
Then, she turned to look at me. “Mrs. Mendez, your younger sister was
involved in a car accident earlier, and she was brought to the hospital
nearby. Mr. Mendez is on his way there.”
“Is it serious?” I asked.
Chapter 26 How Absurd
“She was grazed in a few places,” the manager said, “But she was deeply
shaken from the ordeal.”
Back at his office, Chris sat on his chair and seemed relieved. “It’s not easy to
alter medical records. I was worried that I might not have time, but it looks
like I don’t have to worry about that.”
I nodded and said, “That’s good to hear.”
Chris smiled. He turned on his computer and looked through the X-ray slides.
“Luckily, the tumor didn’t worsen. I can give you some ointment for the bruise
on your face. Remember to use an ice pack too.”
“Okay,” I said. “Can you prescribe some more medicine for me?”
Chris was surprised. “Are you…”
“I lost my handbag,” I explained. “I keep my medicine bottle in there.”
Chris smiled with relief. “I thought you wanted to take your own life again.”
8/10
Chapter 26 How Absurd
“I won’t,” I said. Chris was the only person who knew about my illness, and he
was kind to me, so I thought I could loosen up a little. “Even though I only have
half a year left, I’d rather live my life to the fullest every day than take my own
life.”
Chris nodded. “You only live once. Every day deserves to be cherished.”
No one said anything after that, and I began to feel sleepy again. “I won’t
disturb you any longer, Dr. Norman. Thank you.”
Chris nodded.
I stood up and was about to leave when he said, “You don’t have to be too
sad.”
I stared at him.
Chris seemed hesitant as he said, “I don’t think they’ll be with each other for
long. Also, that man isn’t really worth your time.”
I was surprised. When I realized he was trying to comfort me, I smiled and
said, “Thank you.”
Liam brought me to the hospital to see if I had cancer. That was a
life-or-death verdict.
If he had even the slightest affection for me, he would not have left me at this
moment.
Rina was grazed in a car accident, and he left me for her.
No wonder Chris took pity on me. Even I thought it was very absurd.
It was so absurd for me to bicker with her for the entire evening.
The sky was completely dark when I left the hospital. A layer of snow covered
the ground.
I got into the car, fastened the seatbelt, and rested my head against the
window.
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Chapter 26 How Absurd
I now knew why the dizziness had been so frequent for the past two days. I
had been taking vitamin tablets.
M
