Chapter 25 You Are Hopeless
Emma's health was going downhill fast, and she knew her time was running out. So, whenever she could, she'd swing by the psych hospital to see her grandpa, Douglas Campbell. He was the only family she had left.
Emma sat across from Douglas, a simple lunch spread out in front of her. Douglas still looked pale, but his eyes lit up when he saw her.
"Emma," Douglas said with a soft smile, his voice full of warmth.
Emma's eyes were filled with worry as she gently held his hand. "How you holding up, Grandpa?"
"I'm doing alright. Eating well, sleeping okay," Douglas's voice was weak, but he tried to sound more lively. "And you? How's work treating you?"
"Not too bad. Picked up some design gigs lately," Emma smiled faintly. She always thought she'd be the one taking care of Douglas in his old age, but now it seemed like she might go first.
Just then, a doctor walked in, looking all serious, and cut into their chat. "Ms. Jones, I need a word with you."
Emma's heart sank. She put down her fork and followed the doctor into the hallway.
"After his check-up, we found he has lung cancer, and it's pretty advanced," the doctor said, his voice heavy with helplessness. "The initial treatment cost is around three hundred grand."
"What?" Emma's heart dropped, and her face went pale. "Three hundred grand? I don't have that kind of cash."
"I know it's tough, but..." the doctor looked concerned, "if we don't start treatment soon, it'll get worse fast."
Despair washed over Emma, and tears filled her eyes. "I'll find a way to get the money."
Truth be told, even though Emma was married to George and seemed to have a fancy life, she was actually broke and struggling. She couldn't even scrape together thirty grand, let alone three hundred for Douglas's treatment.
"Mia, come out here. I need to talk."
The early winter wind by the sea felt like a knife cutting across her face.
Mia had no clue why Emma had come here. Just as she was about to ask, Emma spoke up, "Mia, I have a favor to ask. If I don't make it, I want you to scatter my ashes into this sea."
Mia panicked. "Emma, what are you talking about!"
"I'm serious," Emma smiled faintly, looking at the deep blue sea, her eyes reflecting beautiful memories. "This is where George and I fell in love. No, actually, this is where my one-sided love started."
Tears silently rolled down her cheeks.
Mia was instantly pissed. As a good friend, she couldn't stand seeing Emma torture herself like this. She couldn't help but curse, "Men are all the same! Emma, stop loving him and let yourself go."
"I can't let go," Emma smiled bitterly. Loving George was as natural as breathing, already woven into her life.
Let go? No way.
"So, you're willing to risk your life for him?"
"All I want is for him to be happy."
From the moment she fell for George's eyes, she had lost herself.
Mia's head was about to explode with anger at Emma. She rubbed her temples and let out a deep breath, saying, "You're hopeless."
Emma knew it too. She had been hopeless for a long time.
"Mia, I have one more favor to ask."
"Go ahead."
"If I'm gone, can you visit Douglas often?" Even though Emma didn't know who would live longer, her with a tumor or Douglas with lung cancer.
Mia agreed without hesitation.
After setting things up for herself and Douglas, Emma said goodbye to Mia and headed back to the Russell Villa.
As soon as she got to the door, she saw Ethan waiting there. Seeing her return, he walked over with a worried look. "Emma, why didn't you answer my calls? Are you okay?"
It felt nice to be cared for, but Emma didn't want to get too close to Ethan or let George get the wrong idea. Just as she was about to speak, she saw George getting out of a silver-gray business car.
"Ethan, it's been years, and you're still hung up on Emma?" George's tone dripped with sarcasm.
Emma felt insulted and angry for Ethan. "We are innocent, George. I am your wife, and Ethan was your classmate. Please show some respect."
"Wife? You remember you're my wife? Then why are you here, cozying up with an old flame at the doorstep?" George's double standards wore Emma out. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and turned to go inside.
Not long after, George came in too, his face stern, wrapped in a layer of frost.
Emma thought George would humiliate her again, but he surprisingly spoke calmly, "Emma, we need to talk."
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