Elodie froze when she saw him.


    Elias didn''t wait for her to speak; the truth was already in enough.


    "Let''s get you somewhere to rest." His brow furrowed as he carefully helped


    Elodie to her feet. She felt so light and fragile, and while he made sure she leaned on his arm for support, Elias kept just enough distance so she wouldn''t feel ufortable.


    "Thank you, I''m alright," Elodie murmured, her voice thin and weak as she stood.


    Elias nodded softly. "Sit down for a bit. Take your time." He nced over at the oncology ward across the hall.


    After years of research into malignant tumors, he''d seen too many patients like her-he knew all too well what someone looked like after a round of chemotherapy.


    Elias took in her pale face, surprised, and asked, "Are you here alone? No one came with you?"


    He didn''t hide his disapproval, and Elodie realized immediately that he''d probably guessed the truth.


    She nodded. "Yes, just me."


    She didn''t bother to exin why.


    Elias sat down beside her. "If you''re going through chemo, you really should have someone with you."


    He was puzzled-why wasn''t Jarrod here with her? If they were as close as he suspected, surely he''d be at her side. At the very least, Sylvie could havee.


    Elodie simply nodded, not mentioning that neither of them even knew about her diagnosis.


    "Would you mind telling me what''s going on?" Elias asked gently.


    At this point, there was nothing to hide. He was a doctor, after all, and she trusted he''d keep her confidence. "Uterine cancer," Elodie said quietly.


    Elias pressed his lips together.


    No wonder he''d sensed something off about her before.


    And now, all at once, he thought of Jarrod and Sylvie.


    Meanwhile, Elodie was left to hold herself together, all on her own.


    He unconsciously furrowed his brow. "Did you bring your medical records with you today?"


    Elodie shook her head. "I just came in for my second round of chemo."


    "That''s okay. I can pull up your records in the hospital system. When was yourst scan?" His voice was low and gentle, offering no pressure.


    Elodie hesitated. "About two months ago, I think."


    Elias thought for a moment, then asked, "If you''refortable with it, I could take a look at your case for you. But honestly, I''d rmend a more targeted scan. That way, I''d have a much clearer picture."


    Elodie was surprised.


    She knew how busy Elias


    was-between his research and hospital work, it was rare for him to find


    any spare time. But there was


    no denying he was a genius, one of


    the best in his field.


    And now, he was offering to help her himself.


    She didn''t hesitate, and for the first time in a while, hope flickered in her chest. "Of course. Thank you."


    Elias studied her for a moment. "You''re not well enough for another scan today. Wait about a week, let yourself recover, and thene see me."


    Elodie felt like she''d gained something unexpected today.


    When he saw some color return to her cheeks, Elias asked, "Do you want me to walk you downstairs?"


    Elodie checked the time and shook her head. "No need, Dr. Warwick. I''m feeling much better now."


    Elias nodded, respectful and reserved, and didn''t press further.


    But as Elodie turned to go, Elias couldn''t help but think of the hardship she faced alone.


    He watched her retreating figure. "When you''re ill, having a good mindset is just as important. Maybe it''s time to let go of the people and things that only bring you down."


    Elodie paused, ncing back in confusion.


    But Elias was already walking away.