Still, Vince didn''t seem to mind; it was perfectly normal, after all.


    Childhood friends, next-door neighbors.


    After so many years, maybe feelings had blossomed when they were young. In its own way, that was remarkable.


    "Which hospital is it? Can you send me the address?" he asked.


    "Sure. I''ll hang up now and send you the location," came the reply.


    After ending the call, Herbert quickly added Vince as a contact on his phone. Might as well use this chance to keep an eye on thepetition and stay up-to- date on his rival''s movements.


    Once Vince epted the friend request, Herbert sent him the hospital''s location and Jessica''s room number.


    Jessica finished her meal, and Herbert took the empty container, tossing it in the trash.


    When Herbert turned back around, Jessica signed, "The surgery''s done, and I don''t need any more meds or injections, right? Can I be discharged?"


    "You''ll need to stay overnight for observation. As long as there are noplications, you can go home tomorrow. I cane by and change your dressing if you need."


    That worked out well.


    She didn''t want to waste any time. Unlike most people, she was on borrowed time.


    There was so much left to do—she needed to see Mr. Smith again and start preparing to return to work. In her spare moments, she''d have to look up the most reputable hospitals for liver treatment in the area, get herself checked out, and learn more about her condition-maybe there was still hope.


    After finally breaking free from her old life, she was desperate to start over, to get things back to normal.


    Vince arrived at the hospital, carrying a basket of fresh fruit and a bouquet of lilies, their sweet scent instantly brightening the room. Jessica smiled as she epted the flowers.


    Herbert realized, with a start, that he''dpletely forgotten to buy any. He''d been tiptoeing around,


    worrying it would be too forwardne


    since Jessica wasn''t divorced


    yet meanwhile, Vince had shown up with no hesitation at all


    And Vince was Timothy''s friend, too.


    If that was the case, why should he hold back? Tomorrow, he''d bring flowers too- and roses this time.


    Vince sat down beside Jessica''s bed, his expression full of concern. "Are you feeling any better?"


    "It''s nothing serious, just my throat. Don''t worry," Jessica replied, typing her response on her phone.


    Vince seemed to have more to say, but turned to Herbert instead. "Dr. Wheeler, would you mind stepping out for a minute? I''d like a private word with Jess."


    Herbert froze. Was he being kicked out already?


    He didn''t feelfortable leaving, but when he looked at Jessica, she gave him a gentle nod, signaling it was okay. Left with no choice, he stepped out of the room.


    Vince lowered his voice. “Actually, I wanted to ask you for a favor."


    "Go ahead." Jessica''s fingers flew across the keyboard.


    "It''s like this..." Vince exined that his younger sister had gone missing years ago. His mother, heartbroken, had never recovered; now, the doctors said she only had a few months left.


    At the mention of his sister, Vince''s face clouded with sadness. "I''m still searching for her, but honestly, it feels hopeless. My mom''s greatest wish isto see her daughter again before it''s toote. If I can''t find her, I was hoping you could pretend to be


    my sister-just once, so my mom


    can see her before she goes."


    Hearing that Vince''s mother was facing the same fate as herself, Jessica couldn''t


    help but feel a pang of sympathy.


    She typed a line on her phone, then held it out for Vince to read.