Chapter 175 I Want You to Make Love to Me
"Yvette, why on earth would I help you?" Albert's voice was icy, and Yvette could see the mockery in his eyes.
She felt like every breath was a struggle, each one more painful than the last.
Trying to keep her emotions in check, Yvette said, "I have no other options. I had to come to you. Please, for the sake of our past marriage, help my mom."
Albert shot her a cold look. "You once said you didn't want to trouble me or have any connection with me. Now you need something, so you come to me?"
Yvette's hands clenched tightly, her eyes downcast. She was visibly nervous and uneasy. Albert wondered if this was how she looked when she asked others for help.
Listening to his sarcastic words, Yvette broke out in a cold sweat. She awkwardly said, "Yes, I hope you can let bygones be bygones..."
Before she could finish, Albert cut her off impatiently, "Fine, I agree." He raised an eyebrow and continued, "But what about your sincerity? If I help you find Dr. Martinez, what will you give me in return?"
Yvette's long-suppressed emotions were building up. She said, "As long as my mom can survive, you can decide it."
Albert took off his coat and tossed it aside. He walked over to Yvette, looking down at her.
Yvette tensed up under his intense gaze. She leaned back against the sofa, finding it hard to breathe. She looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting Albert's.
"Alright." Albert bent down, placing his hands on the back of the sofa behind Yvette, trapping her in front of him.
They were so close that Yvette could almost feel his warm breath on her skin, causing her body to tremble slightly.
Albert narrowed his eyes and said, "Then I want you to make love to me."
Yvette's eyes widened. Even though they had slept together many times over the past two years, things were different now. They had lost their child and were on the verge of divorce.
Yvette began to tremble uncontrollably. She lowered her head abruptly and closed her eyes. She knew Albert was mocking her, but she had no leverage to resist.
Yvette gritted her teeth, trying to control her trembling. She took a deep breath and finally spoke, "Alright."
Yvette nodded, a tear falling onto the back of her hand, which she quickly wiped away as if nothing had happened. "I agree."
Hearing this, Albert frowned slightly, looking at Yvette's lowered head, suddenly feeling uninterested.
He stepped back half a step, his gaze cold as he glanced at Yvette. "Do you really think sleeping with me can save your mom's life?"
Albert's disdainful tone finally broke Yvette. Her tears fell uncontrollably, one after another.
Her body was worthless to Albert and certainly couldn't be exchanged for something as important as a life.
Yvette knew she had only humiliated herself by coming here. She slowly stood up from the sofa and wiped the tears from her face.
When she looked up again, her face was calm. She said numbly, "Sorry for bothering you today. Since you can't help, I'll leave now."
Yvette turned to go, but Albert's voice stopped her. "If I can't help, are you planning to find someone else?" he asked emotionlessly.
'Of course,' Yvette thought, pressing her lips together as she silently left Albert's house.
Albert stood by the large floor-to-ceiling window, a red glow at his fingertips flickering.
As he exhaled a puff of smoke, the hazy white cloud made him squint, blurring his vision.
Yvette's tearful yet stubborn face lingered in his mind.
He admitted his dislike for Lassie. But that was Yvette's mom. If Lassie were gone, Yvette would feel the same pain and despair he felt when he lost his own mom.
Albert took a deep drag on his cigarette, then finally extinguished it. He took out his phone and dialed a number. "Are you in the country?"
Willard seemed busy on the other end, taking a while to respond, "Yeah, I just got back."
"I need a favor," Albert said.
Willard chuckled. "I can still help you?"
"Yes, my wife's mom needs brain surgery. The doctor recommended you," Albert said in a deep voice. "The situation might not be good."
Willard was silent for a couple of seconds before responding, "Alright, I'll contact the hospital and have the patient transferred as soon as possible. I'll take a look."
"Thank you," Albert said.
"No need to thank me," Willard replied.
Leaving Albert's house, Yvette was exhausted, but she knew she couldn't rest.
She called the hospital to check on Lassie's condition. Learning that it wasn't good, she dialed David's number.
David was working but answered quickly, "Yvette?"
"Are you busy?" Yvette asked cautiously.
"I'm at the hotel you came to last time. I have work here," David paused, then continued, "If you need something, I'll have the driver pick you up."
"No need, I'll take a cab," Yvette said.
She hailed a taxi, gave the address, and the car sped off.
David always had a keen sense of others' needs, responding warmly to make them feel less awkward and uneasy.
When Yvette arrived at the front desk, she didn't need to say anything. Someone led her to David's room.
Yvette knocked on David's door and was greeted by a familiar face, yet with a completely different expression, causing a complex mix of emotions within her.
David smiled at Yvette, saying, "I should have come to you, but I have work here and can't leave."
"It's okay." Yvette licked her slightly dry lips, thinking about Lassie's condition. Every minute was precious. She told David everything, "Albert won't help me. You're his brother, so you must have a way, right? Can you help me, David?"
David's eyes flashed with surprise. "He won't help you?"
"Yes." Yvette smiled bitterly.
"I'll try. Dr. Martinez is my mom's younger brother, but I'm not sure if he'll help me," David said, looking at Yvette. "If Albert asks, he should agree."
