Chapter 230: When Was It Diagnosed

Once again, Jerry and I found ourselves engulfed in an awkward silence.

I tugged on Claire's arm. "Claire, about this..."

"Almost done." Jerry suddenly interjected, addressing Claire softly yet firmly. "Claire, I will marry her soon. Please focus on your health. Once you're better, we can plan the wedding."

A torrent of questions swirled in my mind, but Jerry didn't as much as glance in my direction, as if his words had nothing to do with me.

Claire was overjoyed; her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yes." Jerry confirmed with a smile.

Shifting the topic, I urged, "Claire, hurry and eat your breakfast. Mr. Quill will be here soon."

By the time Claire finished her meal, Grant and his team had returned.

The doctor was about to commence treatment, which meant I couldn't stay in the ward any longer. With no other plans, I decided to return to the hotel and pack my things.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I stepped out of the elevator in Tranquil Haven with my suitcase, I saw Jerry and Nolan at the door, one standing and the other sitting.

I was surprised. "Waiting for me?"

Jerry remained silent, but Nolan ran over, his short legs moving quickly, and nodded earnestly. "Yes! Hope, Jerry brought me to your house!"

I looked down at him, then back at Jerry. "And Jerry?"

Nolan replied with certainty, "Jerry is leaving soon!"

Jerry shot Nolan a glance. "Who told you that?"

I asked, "So you're not leaving?"

Jerry calmly pinched Nolan's cheek and then turned to me. "I have a meeting now. He's all yours. If he gets too much, call me."

I assured him, "Don't worry, I'll take care of him."

Jerry's gaze intensified, his eyes locking onto mine. "By the way, the answer you were about to give last night before Sophia interrupted; I want to hear it when I come back to pick up Nolan."

I had expected that looking after such a young child would be challenging, but it was surprisingly harmonious.

Once inside, I realized Jerry had arranged for regular cleaning, leaving the place immaculate. As I unpacked, Nolan chattered cheerfully around me. But when I picked up my drawing board to work, he busied himself with a puzzle on the floor, surprisingly focused.

When I was watching him, he blinked his big eyes at me. "What's up?"

"I think you're great and very focused."

Nolan responded with a serious nod. "Jerry says that if you multitask, you'll be unfaithful in relationships and end up single forever!"

I laughed, "Do you even know what being single means?"

Nolan nodded vigorously. "Yes! Jerry is single!"

Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door. I thought it was Jerry coming to pick up Nolan, but when I opened the door, I saw Sophia.

I was slightly stunned. "Sophia, aren't you going abroad for a trip?"

Sophia smiled and politely asked, "I still have some time. May I come in and sit for a while?"

"Of course." Nolan heard Sophia's voice and ran over, throwing himself into her arms. "Mommy! I missed you!"

Sophia joked, "If you missed me, why not come abroad with me?"

Nolan shook his head firmly. "No! I have important things to do!"

Sophia laughed, "What important things?"

Nolan's big eyes darted around, and he pouted mysteriously. "I promised Jerry I wouldn't say."

"Alright, alright, go play." Sophia patted Nolan's butt and sent him into an empty room.

I opened the fridge and asked Sophia, "Would you like some mineral water or juice?"

Sophia smiled. "Neither. I just want to chat for a bit before I have to catch my flight."

I nodded and led her to the living room to sit down.

Sophia was straightforward. "What are your thoughts on the relationship between you and Jerry?"

If I said I hadn't thought about it these past two days, that would be a lie.

I admitted, "I'm still thinking, but I don't have an answer yet."

Gone were the days when I could do anything on a whim. Jerry and I had been separated since childhood for over twenty years, and then we endured a two-year 'life-and-death' separation.

The first twenty years had changed my personality drastically.

The past two years had driven a wedge between us.

Sophia wasn't surprised and smiled. "There's no rush. Take your time. I came to see you today mainly to ask a favor. Jerry's temper has gotten worse these past two years. My son will need your care."

I smiled. "Sure. Although I don't think Jerry's temper isn't that bad."

Sophia pursed her lips. "After the explosion, he lost his vision and was blind for a long time. As for his legs... It was a fate worse than death for him. Initially, he didn't want to cooperate with treatment and became irritable. Do you know why he agreed to treatment?"

I looked at Sophia. "Why?"

"I told him that if he ended up disabled or dead, I would make you pay."

She looked at me apologetically. "Sorry, I had no other choice, and your abandonment back then really hurt him. As his family, I didn't like you at the time."

I was silent for a moment, my voice hoarse. "And then?"

"Then he tried his best to cooperate with the doctors." Sophia added incredulously, "Did you know he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at that time? But he endured both mental and physical pain and pulled through for you."

Bipolar disorder—a torment of alternating mania and depression.

I clenched my fists. "When was he diagnosed?"

"After you went back to Christopher."

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Chapter 230: When Was It Diagnosed