This was the first time Elodie had ever heard him speak so sharply.


    Even though his face remained impassive-he wasn''t being sarcastic, not even remotely cruel-his words still stung.


    Jarrod didn''t bother arguing with her. He simply turned, walked out, and left her to the doctors, giving them space to work.


    Elodie had no intention of sparring with Jarrod, either. Now that the pain was gradually easing, she pressed her lips together, her face still pale, and looked at the physician. "I know what''s wrong with me. There''s no need for a full workup.” She''d just taken an unexpected hit to an already swollen area. The sudden blow had triggered a sharp, familiar pain.


    But the doctor was firm. "Your case seems unusual. We need to rule out internal bleeding."


    Elodie closed her eyes for a moment. She knew perfectly well it was her uterine cancer acting up again—the pain had be a constantpanion, and the impact had simply made things worse. Still, there was no sense in resisting now. A checkup was the safest option.


    "All right. Please, if there''s any news, speak to me directly. The man outside... he''s not family. You don''t need to involve him." Her voice was weak, but she made herself clear.


    The doctor didn''t press further. He ordered a CT scan and a blood test.


    It was a busy night in the ER, so the results would take a while.


    Jarrod hadn''t left. He was sitting a short distance from Elodie''s bed, not saying a word, but keeping a watchful eye on her from time to time.


    That was how things stood until Alexander arrived, breathless and anxious. One look at Elodie''s ashen face, and his expression tightened. "Is it serious? What happened?"


    Elodie forced a small smile, trying to reassure him through her difort. "It''s fine, really. Just a knock."


    Before long, Naylor and Sylvie showed up as well.


    Elodie didn''t bother putting on a pleasant face for either of them. She was feeling


    too unwell to waste energy on politeness, and she knew perfectly well they weren''t here out of genuine concern for her just following social protocol because Jarrod was involved.


    Sylvie''s expression was cold. She nced at Elodie lying in the bed, then, without a word, moved to stand beside Jarrod. "Jarrod, did the doctor say what''s going on?"


    Jarrod finally looked up, his face as unreadable as ever. "We''re still waiting on the results."


    Sylvie said nothing more. She didn''t really know what to make of Elodie''s condition. It was just a bump, wasn''t it? Did that really warrant a trip to the ER?


    Naylor''s expression was moreplicated. Elodie did look unwell, that much was obvious, but what surprised him more was Jarrod how he''d been the one to rush Elodie to the hospital, and how quickly and instinctively he''d acted.


    "Mr. Silverstein," Naylor began, as if he wanted to ask something.


    Jarrod nced at him, eyes cool and distant. Suddenly, Naylor understood. Jarrod had simply been closer to Elodie when she copsed. He nced over at Sylvie, Jarrod''s girlfriend, but she seemed perfectlyposed, showing no trace of jealousy or irritation. Clearly, she thought helping someone in need was the right thing to do.


    Still, the fact that Jarrod had carried Elodie out like that... Something about it didn''t sit quite right with Naylor, but he couldn''t put his finger on why.


    Jarrod didn''t seem to notice-or care-what Naylor was thinking. His gaze was back on Elodie''s bed. With Alexander''s arrival, Elodie finally seemed to rx a little.


    She turned to Alex. "Could you show them out? I''d like a little peace and quiet."


    She didn''t bother with polite thanks or empty pleasantries. She had no illusions- none of the three truly cared about her.


    Her words were blunt, and Sylvie didn''t even look her way. She simply said to Jarrod, “If there''s nothing serious, we''ll head out and leave you to rest."