Chapter 362 Won't Live Past Six Months
Sebastian smiled indulgently.
He should've turned off the video and gotten back to work, but he couldn't look away from Isabella.
"Sleeping in class, huh? I'll give you an earful when I get back," He muttered, his fingers tapping the phone screen like he was tapping her forehead.
With a faint smile, Sebastian left the video on and got back to his work.
The bedroom at Willowbrook Estate was cozy, the bedside lamp casting a soft, sleepy glow. Sebastian's voice was smooth and soothing, making Isabella drowsy until she finally drifted off.
She didn't know how long she'd been out. She reached out only to touch empty space. Jolting awake, she realized Sebastian wasn't there, and she missed his warm embrace.
"Why are you awake?" came his voice from the phone above her head.
"I thought you were next to me. I got used to it. But you weren't there, so I woke up," Isabella mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "What time is it? Why didn't you turn off the video?"
Usually, Isabella would turn off the video before sleeping, so Sebastian had no idea she reached for him every night.
He felt a pang of sorrow.
"Go back to sleep, I'm here." His voice was cold but tender, soothing her sudden wakefulness.
Isabella murmured, closed her eyes, and whispered, "When you come back, I'll give you a..." The word "surprise" turned into a long breath as she fell back asleep.
This time, Sebastian ended the video, fiddling with his phone for a moment.
After a pause, he called Kaine. "Book me the next flight back home. Now."
It had been almost a week since he last held her, and his longing for Isabella had grown unbearable, messing up all his plans.
He needed to see her, hear her surprise.
He couldn't wait any longer.
Kaine moved quickly, booking a flight that left in two hours.
Sebastian got up and headed to the hospital.
Joshua's condition had been tough to manage, and Sebastian had to keep a close eye on him.
Aurora Isle was leading in gastric cancer treatment, but even here, Joshua wasn't getting better, which worried Sebastian deeply.
The hospital corridor was eerily silent, the smell of disinfectant sharp and the atmosphere heavy.
Sebastian stood outside Joshua's room, watching through the glass as Joshua vomited.
Afterward, Joshua grimaced, clutching his stomach, his 6'2" frame curled up on the small sofa, a sight that tugged at Sebastian's heart.
He wanted to go in but couldn't bring himself to.
They'd grown up together, and Sebastian knew Joshua well; he always preferred to handle things alone.
Sebastian turned and headed to Kevin Martinez's office.
As he knocked, Kevin was about to leave but stopped when he saw Sebastian.
"Mr. Lawrence," Kevin said, shaking his head in shame. "He only has about six months left."
Sebastian's vision blurred for a moment, then he frowned. "Are you serious?"
Kevin repeated himself, explaining, "Joshua wants to live, but his will to survive isn't strong. He's exhausted, both physically and mentally. In this state, six months is already a stretch."
Kevin hesitated, glancing at Sebastian to gauge his reaction.
A chill ran down Sebastian's spine. "Go on."
"Joshua came to me and gave me a card. He wants to leave and stop treatment, but he asked me to keep it a secret. He wanted me to tell you he was in a closed session at another facility. I think he did this partly to leave and partly to spare you more pain."
Kevin handed Sebastian a bank card.
Sebastian didn't take it, feeling like a hole had been torn open in his chest.
"Sebastian, I've seen many patients like Joshua. He probably feels like he's burdening you. Patients like him tend to push away everyone they care about and face things alone. Leaving him alone might be better."
Sebastian's throat tightened, his hand resting on the sofa back, unmoving for a long time.
"Does Joshua know how much time he has left?" he asked.
"He does," Kevin said. "Joshua brought it up himself, saying he won't live beyond six months. He's always been very aware of his condition."
The room fell silent.
After a while, Sebastian hoarsely agreed, "Do as he wishes. Pretend I don't know. But tell him to undergo regular treatment, or else you'll reveal the secret to me."
"I was thinking the same thing," Kevin replied.
Sebastian nodded, closed his eyes, exhaled deeply, and turned back towards Joshua's room.
He knocked twice and entered.
Joshua's pain had eased, and he was pouring water. Seeing Sebastian, his eyes darted away slightly.
He tried to cover up with a drink of water. "Why are you here at this time? Have you sorted out the issues with the Aurora Isle branch?"
Sebastian looked at him and spoke softly, "Your doctor called me over, saying you need a closed session."
"Okay, let's do it," Joshua put down the glass, turned away from Sebastian, and stretched lazily. "I've been doing well recently. A period of closed session should lead to significant improvement."
"I agree," Sebastian felt a profound sense of helplessness.
At that moment, he realized that no matter how much power he wielded, he couldn't fight against death. He couldn't stop it, just as he couldn't stop Moore's illness from taking her life, and now, he couldn't ease Joshua's suffering.
Following Joshua's words, Sebastian said, "Let's stick with the doctor's plan, try the closed session for a month, and I'll come back then."
Joshua turned around, leaning against the glass window, arms crossed. "No need, I'll return to our country in a month. By then, I'll come to your wedding. I know you well, and I'm sure you'll have a wedding for Isabella. It would be a shame if I couldn't recover."
Sebastian glanced at him, coldly mocking, "Cut it. I know you're going for Brittany."
Joshua shrugged.
Sebastian averted his gaze, checked the time on his wrist, and then said, "I have to go to the airport. Take care of yourself here, and recover well."
"Okay," Joshua replied.
Sebastian turned and left.
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