Chapter 38
Chapter 38: Belinda had been unconscious throughout the night. As dawn broke and she opened her eyes, it felt as if she had narrowly escaped death. A sensation like a hand clenching her stomach sent waves of cold sweat across her body, draining her of all strength. “Belinda?”’ Darren, who had been vigilantly by her side, promptly hit the call button. “How are you feeling?”’ Raising her head, her vision blurred by perspiration, Belinda managed to make out the concern etched deeply in Darren’s eyes. “Darren, I”¦ I’m okay. How about you?”’ Her voice was barely a whisper, frail and breathless. “Relax, there’s no need to hurry,”’ Darren advised, holding her hand firmly. “Belinda, does the Cox family realize the extent of your illness?”’ Trying instinctively to withdraw her hand, Belinda found herself too weak to pull away from his grasp. Resigning herself, she shook her head with a trace of bitterness. “No, they’re unaware.”’ Darren’s sigh was gentle, though his expression remained troubled. “Even without knowing about your condition, the Cox family crossed the line last night, especially Kristopher. Last night, my boss insisted I stay and work closely with him for potential future projects, and then I saw”¦”’ He paused, his expression grave as he looked at Belinda. “You were right to divorce him.”’ Belinda managed a strained smile. Before she could say more, the door burst open. A female doctor in a white coat entered, her brow furrowed in concern. “Belinda, haven’t I warned you about avoiding stress and physical exertion?”’ she chided. She fixed Belinda with a firm gaze. “What were you up to last night? Your stress levels soared, and your stomach even got hurt. Do you think you have all the time in the world?”’ Updates loaded at Though the doctor’s tone was stern, Belinda understood her deep concern. She offered a feeble smile. “You’re right. I’ll take better care of myself.”’ “Take better care?”’ The doctor’s eyes narrowed. “If this happens again, I might not be able to help you!”’ She reiterated her medical advice before snapping her notebook shut. “You’ve opted out of chemotherapy and radiation, which I respect. But you can’t continue to neglect your health.”’ Belinda nodded weakly. “I get it.”’ With a heavy sigh, the doctor exited the room. “Belinda,”’ Darren began, his expression clouding over after the doctor departed. “Do you really intend to just sit here and wait for the end?”’ Clasping her hands under the blanket, Belinda replied, “I’m not waiting for death. I want to make the most of the time I have left.”’ She attempted a weak smile, her face pale. “Cancer treatment is excruciating, drawn-out, and often futile. Rather than squandering money and energy on the faint hope of a cure, I prefer to appreciate the time I still have.”’ Her eyes fixed on something beyond the sterile white walls. “Three years of marriage have shown me that even the hardest efforts don’t always lead to miracles.”’ Darren’s gaze was filled with sorrow as he observed her frail form and listened to her raspy voice. He sighed, sitting down beside her bed and grasping her hand. “Belinda, I know you well enough to understand your decision. I can’t change your mind, but”¦”’ His eyes met hers earnestly. “Allow me to be with you for whatever time remains, will you?”’ Belinda’s brow furrowed, and she attempted to withdraw her hand, but Darren held it firmly. “Belinda, let me be here for you.”’ “Be here for her? What exactly are you suggesting?”’ The conversation was cut short by a chilling, deep voice from the doorway. Kristopher strode in, rolling up his white shirt sleeves elegantly with a scornful smirk. He sat down, regarding Darren with disdain. “Promising to stay by a married woman’s side”¦ Mr. Wright, are you trying to disrupt our marriage?”’…