Chapter 434 Andrew, Why Didn't You Tell Me?
Frederick didn't spill the beans right away.
He just leaned over, grabbed a doc from the front locker, and handed it to Chloe.
It was a medical report.
Chloe eyed him suspiciously and opened it up.
One page in, she froze, her face going ghostly white. The report said Andrew had less than six months to live.
Less than six months?
Andrew, how could that be?
Chloe's voice shook, "Is this for real?"
Frederick gave a slight nod, "Yeah, it's legit. He's been in the hospital for four months now. Dad brought in a bunch of experts from all over, but Andrew's body was just too worn out."
Chloe tilted her head back, trying to hold back the tears.
Frederick handed her a tissue. "Dry those tears! Crying ain't a good look."
Chloe forced a smile.
Andrew had no clue Frederick and Chloe were coming. He was in the ward, leaning against the headboard, reading some docs.
The ward was dead quiet.
The bedside table was stacked with folders.
Nathan chimed in, "You've been at those docs for four hours. You need to rest. The doc's gonna chew you out again when he comes."
Andrew kept his head down, eyes glued to the papers.
"He always nags! You handle him for me! The company's just getting started, and there's a ton of stuff to sort out."
Andrew suddenly paused. He said softly, "Chloe's been with me for so long, and we have two kids. I can't just leave without setting things straight!"
Nathan felt a pang of sadness.
At the door, Chloe's heart shattered.
He was actually making final plans, with no hope left.
Nathan noticed her.
After a moment of surprise, he quickly played it cool, "Chloe, what brings you here! Come in and sit. Andrew was just thinking about you!"
Chloe's gaze was locked on Andrew.
Andrew knew the jig was up.
Frederick said from the door, "I told her! Andrew, she should know."
Andrew's eyes darkened.
After a moment, he spoke, "Nathan, go grab a coffee with Frederick."
Nathan forced a smile, "Alright!"
He walked out and gently closed the door.
The ward was silent.
Andrew got out of bed. He was in a blue and white hospital gown, looking frail, almost none of his old muscles left.
But he was still handsome.
Andrew's voice was soft, "Why are you standing at the door? Come in and sit."
Chloe stayed put.
She bit her lip and asked softly, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Andrew looked a bit stunned.
Then he gave a faint smile, "I let you down back then! And now I'm sick like this; how could I tell you? I wouldn't do that!"
Chloe's face was streaked with tears. She said, "So, you hid it for four months, planning to die quietly and leave the company to Gavin, right?"
"I'm not planning to die quietly!" Andrew frowned.
Chloe glanced at the documents by the bed.
For some reason, she suddenly got mad.
She walked over and swept the documents to the floor.
Andrew let her vent.
Chloe looked at him, shaking, "Andrew, you think you're doing me a favor, setting things up for the kids, but did you ever ask me what I want? Every decision you make is solo, and I never get a say." She was heartbroken.
Andrew felt her pain and wanted to say something to ease it.
Chloe wiped her tears and looked up, "You think leaving me billions will make it okay? No way. I'll always remember how you left me hanging, over and over!"
Andrew couldn't help himself. He stepped forward and gently hugged her, "Chloe, don't cry. I haven't given up. I'm getting treatment. I still want to see our baby born, to see Gavin grow up, get married, and have kids."
Chloe broke free from him. She smiled coldly, "Andrew, do you think I'm stupid?"
Andrew was just trying to comfort her.
Andrew looked at her, and Chloe pulled herself together and said, "Andrew, we have too many ties. If you die, it won't just be me who's sad. Think about Adeline and Charlotte. Who will they lean on? If you're a man, live for us! And don't think I'll promise to be with you if you get better. The only thing I can promise is that the baby in my belly will call you Dad! You can think of a name now and name them when they're born."
It was the first time she was so assertive.
But she was also scared, afraid Andrew would push back. After speaking, she opened the door and ran out.
Frederick and Nathan were smoking at the door. When they saw her, they immediately put out their cigarettes.
Both were surprised.
Nathan forced a smile and went in.
Frederick grinned, "Quite the firecracker! Didn't see that coming!"
Chloe blushed and stammered, "I was just talking nonsense!"
She leaned on Frederick's shoulder, feeling indescribably sad.
Frederick ruffled her hair, "It's good! Sometimes you need to let it out!"
Chloe was about to say something when Charlotte showed up with soup and overheard.
Charlotte glanced at Frederick.
Then she saw Chloe's red eyes, realizing she knew. She said to Frederick, "Take Chloe home first! Have the driver come back for me later."
Frederick had work at the company and nodded.
Charlotte pushed the door open and went in.
Andrew was sitting on the sofa, and Nathan was picking up the documents from the floor, advising, "Women need to be reassured. You didn't tell her about your serious condition; of course, she's mad! She's just emotional, not that she doesn't love you. You handled this poorly."
Andrew asked softly, "Nathan, do I still have a chance?"
"Of course you do!" Charlotte came in, put down the soup, and served a small bowl.
She handed it to Andrew.
"Did Chloe cry?" Andrew asked her, "Was it Frederick's idea to tell her, or yours?"
Charlotte gently hugged him, "It was both of our ideas!"
Andrew was a bit angry. He picked up the bowl of soup, took a couple of sips, then lost his appetite, "I don't want her to worry! I know her temper best."
Charlotte said gently, "You should be stronger for her."
Andrew was stunned. It took him a while to get what Frederick was up to. He was scared Andrew would throw in the towel, so he told Chloe.
Andrew was deeply moved. He drank the soup, trying to get as much down as he could.
Charlotte headed home from the hospital.
Andrew's condition was rough, and she felt heavy-hearted.
Frederick worked late. When he got back, Charlotte found out he had taken on most of Andrew's company stuff. She felt a bit distressed and decided to cook for him herself.
Frederick was starving and ate quickly.
Charlotte said softly, "I'll handle Andrew's company."
Frederick looked up.
Charlotte gently stroked his thin face and said in a low voice, "You're already juggling the Hawkins Group and Vertex Innovations. Adding Andrew's company, I'm worried your body can't take it! Frederick, I care about you too."
Frederick gently held her hand.
Charlotte continued, "Johnny and Lola are at school during the day! Kingsley is well-behaved. I can go to the company for half a day and come back in the afternoon to feed Sienna."
Frederick replied, "You think things through."
Charlotte looked at him. "I'm serious."
Frederick finished his noodles, wiped his lips, and said, "I talked to Dad. He'll temporarily take full charge of the Hawkins Group, so I can focus on Andrew's company. As for you, taking care of the kids is already a lot! And I don't want Kingsley and Sienna to miss their mom. Besides, you can take care of Andrew when you have time."
He had everything planned out.
Charlotte didn't push it and just nodded.
Frederick looked at the kids in the distance, who were seriously painting ceramic dolls.
He gently tapped Charlotte's nose, "You seem to have something on your mind today?"
Charlotte forced a smile. She spoke softly, "Frederick, I'm worried about Andrew. I'm afraid even if he gets better, he won't be able to make Chloe happy."
Frederick's gaze deepened.
He looked at her for a while, then smiled faintly.
He walked to the window, lit a cigarette, and smoked. After smoking half a cigarette, he asked slowly, "Are you worried that Andrew's, uh, performance might be impaired?"
Charlotte blushed.
With the servants and kids around, he just said it out loud.
Frederick glanced at the living room.
He chuckled softly, "They can't hear us."
Charlotte walked over, genuinely wanting to discuss the matter. Frederick touched her face and asked, "If I got sick and couldn't, you know, perform, would you mind and leave me?"
Charlotte said she wouldn't.
Frederick chuckled softly again.
Charlotte blushed, and she was about to leave, but Frederick held her waist.
Frederick put out the cigarette, his lips close to her ear, and said warmly, "Andrew's illness doesn't affect that."
Andrew struggled for a long time. During this period, his only comfort was Chloe coming to see him. She came for prenatal check-ups every couple of weeks. Even if she rarely talked to him and just sat for a while before leaving, it was enough for Andrew.
One day, Chloe brought Gavin.
She went for a check-up, and the nanny brought Gavin. Gavin pushed the door open, his little blond head peeking in.
Andrew looked up and saw him.
He said softly, "Why not come in?"
Gavin closed the door, slowly moved over, then climbed onto the bed and snuggled with Andrew, his little head resting against his.
Andrew felt a pang of sadness.
Maybe the kid sensed something.
He patted his son's head, "Not calling me Andrew anymore?"
Gavin was about to cry. He sniffled, his voice raspy, "Daddy!"
Andrew forced a smile.
Gavin, after all, was just a kid and couldn't hide his feelings like adults. He held Andrew's hand and said softly, "Daddy, I don't blame you anymore! Please get better, okay?"
Even if it meant letting that Molly have Daddy, he was willing.
He didn't want his dad to die.
Andrew was on the verge of tears. He had lived recklessly before, but now he had let many people down, especially Gavin.
Andrew held back his tears and gently hugged his son. "I promise you."
Gavin snuggled against him.
The little guy was probably too tired and fell asleep. Andrew stared at his small face for a long time.
There was a sound at the door.
It seemed to be Chloe's voice.
Andrew got out of bed and walked to the door, then paused.
In the hallway, it wasn't just Chloe; Landon was there too.
Landon had been sent by Jennifer to bring Chloe to the hospital. He didn't get along well with Chloe, and they could start arguing with just a few words.
He had Chloe cornered in the hallway, looking like he wanted to bully her. But he wasn't malicious.
He was young and handsome, wearing just a short-sleeved shirt in the late autumn weather, showing his smooth, firm muscles.
Andrew had always been proud. He came from a prestigious family and had good looks.
He was a young man admired by everyone, but now he felt inferior. He looked down at his own empty hospital gown.
Ashamed!
A feeling he had never experienced before arose.
Andrew retreated. He leaned against the door, a self-deprecating laugh escaping his lips. He brooded, 'What makes me think Chloe would still be hung up on me? I'm past my prime.'
There was a knock on the door.
Andrew composed himself and opened the door. Landon and Chloe were standing outside.
Andrew spoke politely and distantly, "Here to pick up Gavin? He's asleep."
Chloe looked at him. She wasn't stupid; she knew he was different, not as happy to see her as he used to be. It was because of Landon.
Chloe didn't want to explain anything. Instead, she nodded coldly, "Yes."
She looked at Landon, "Can you carry Gavin?"
Landon looked at Chloe, "Are you sure?"
Chloe forced a smile, "I'm going to Frederick's for dinner later. Are you coming?"
Of course, he was!
Landon not only didn't refuse but also picked up Gavin affectionately, "I'll carry him! Good boy, Gavin!" He even gave him a kiss.
Andrew's face darkened.
He looked at Chloe, "New boyfriend?"
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