Since I''d already taken the day off, I figured I might as well go back to my room and sleep.


    The second round of chemo was even worse than the first. I couldn''t tell if it was killing the cancer cells or trying to kill me.


    The side effects hit hard. I dry-heaved for a while and had another nosebleed.


    After about an hour of struggling, my body finally started to adjust.


    After taking a quick shower, I copsed on the bed. Without Jude around, the world suddenly felt a lot quieter. I drifted off in a daze.


    Unfortunately, Jude just had toe haunting again. He actually showed up at Casey''s ce.


    First it was nonstop ringing, then Jude started pounding on the door like a maniac. "Ada! Ada! I know you''re in there! Open up!" he shouted.


    Thankfully, it was still daytime. The neighbors hadn''t started yelling yet.


    I dragged myself to the door and opened it. "What do you


    want?"


    28%


    Maybe I looked too pale, because Jude just stood there with his mouth half open, totally speechless.


    Right as I was about to close the door, Jude shoved his hand between the frame. He said, "Ada, can we talk?"


    I almost mmed the door on his fingers, but in the end, I held back. When he tried to step inside, I blocked the entrance. "Whatever it is, say it here."


    Jude hesitated for a moment, then mumbled, "You''re sick, right? It wasn''t Casey who went for the checkup-it was you, wasn''t it?"


    Jude suddenly gets a little smarter,'' I thought, rolling my eyes. ''But clearly, he isn''t smart enough. Or maybe he just doesn''t care enough.


    ''If he''d gone to the hospital, pulled some strings, he would''ve known I wasn''t just there for a checkup.''


    ''But he didn''t. And now he''s here asking me instead. That says enough.''


    I also didn''t feel like exining. So I just replied, "Yeah. Low blood sugar. Too much internal heat."


    "I''ll take you to get checked again, okay? Our family hospital''s more reliable," Jude said, trying to sound sincere.


    That''s when it hit me-the Carson Group owned hospitals, of course.


    I shook my head. "Thank you, but it''s just low blood sugar. I''ll be fine in a couple


    days. As long as you and Vivian stay out of my sight."


    "If you don''t have anything to do, then just go ahead and leave."


    I grabbed the door, trying to shut it again. But Jude was way stronger than me, and he wouldn''t let go.


    I didn''t know what was wrong with Jude today-he was being especially stubborn.


    Jude leaned in, using his body to block the door. "Ada, don''t forget-Grandpa told us to move back to the old house.


    "Living with Casey isn''t exactly convenient. Come back with me."


    Jude cleared his throat awkwardly. I kept pushing against the door.


    But Jude wouldn''t budge, like he''d made up his mind not to leave until I agreed.


    In the end, I gave in. "Fine. Wait here. I''ll be out in a minute."


    +15


    17:02 Thu, 8 May


    Since I promised Ewan, I figured I should follow through.


    Thepany''s anniversary event wasing up anyway. After that, we could go


    our separate ways. No one would have anything to say.


    Besides, I didn''t want him to make a scene and drag Casey into it.


    We rode in silence. I kept my eyes closed the whole time, trying to rest, afraid I''d pass out again.


    Luckily, nothing happened on the way. When we got back to the old house, only Juno was around. The rest of the annoying bunch had already left.


    Seeing us walk in together finally brought a smile to Ewan''s face. He said, "That''s more like it. A couple should always stick together.


    "As long as you''re close, no gossip can touch you. Now go get ready for the anniversary party. Don''t embarrass the family."


    Juno kept smiling, throwing in a fewments of her own.


    I knew Juno wanted me to stay the Carson wife-a sick woman who couldn''t get pregnant.


    And if Jude disappeared one day, her side of the family could split the assets with nopetition.


    But Juno was going to be disappointed. Jude and I were divorcing soon.


    I said a few polite things and went straight to my room. This time I came prepared-with painkillers. Finally, I could get some real sleep.


    Too bad Vivian wasn''t in the mood to sleep. Or maybe she just wanted Jude to sleep with her.


    A little after eleven, Vivian called, sobbing into the phone. "Jude, I had a terrible


    nightmare... I''m really scared. Can youe be with me?


    "I think I twisted something. My foot won''t move. It really hurts..."


    I stayed lying on my side, never turning around.


    Jude got out of bed quietly, murmured a few words offort, then changed and left the house.


    Asb


    ers.


    downstairs to get some water.


    She opened her door and gave me a knowing smile. "Jude''s heading out thiste? Can''t it wait till morning?"


    We both knew what was going on. No point pretending.


    and poured me a ss of water. "Ada, men are just like that. Don''t take it too seriously. Feelingse second. You should know


    He even had an emerald jewelry set custom-made for you. And a tailored gown. That has to mean something."


    Juno leaned closer, whispering, "That emerald set cost a few millions. What could show more sincerity than that?"


    With that, Juno raised an eyebrow and smiled, then turned around and headed upstairs.


    I drank the water in one gulp, thinking, Juno is right. With my situation, wearing jewelry worth a few millions isn''t the worst way to go out.


    ''Jude and I don''t have love anymore. All that''s left is how much he''s willing to spend,''