?Chapter 71:


    The moment Hailee’s words sank in, Elliana found herself caught between a smile and a sigh. She had originally nned to step in as Rosa to offer help, but fate had yed a strange trick—Hailee’s wish was tied to her other identity.


    Hailee exined, “My boyfriend was born with a heart condition. Treating it is extremely challenging, and the doctors say only a major surgery could give him a real shot at getting better. It’s a highlyplicated procedure, and aside from Dr. Atkinson, the odds of sess with anyone else are very low.”


    Hailee’s sentence faded into a breath as she exhaled quietly, the weight of her reality settling in her features. “But they told me Dr. Atkinson doesn’t see ordinary people. She’s too hard to reach, and even if I could find her, I’d never be able to pay what she charges. Her consultation fees start in the millions. For a surgery like his, the bill would be in the tens of millions.”


    With a faint, bitter curve of her lips, Hailee pushed through the next part. “Every day, I spend over two thousand dors just on his medicine. I’ve drained everything I have just trying to keep up. How could I ever afford a surgery like that?”


    Emotion choked off Hailee’s voice, catching her mid-sentence. “These days, I’m juggling several jobs, barely affording cheap meals for myself. The little I save goes straight to his prescriptions. I’m terrified every moment that I’ll lose one of my jobs, that I’ll fall short and fail him. Therefore, no matter how hard it gets, I can’t stop. I can’t rest. I have to keep working and somehow find a way to earn more. It’s just that I’m exhausted… I’m drowning.”


    Tears spilled freely now, her shoulders trembling with quiet desperation.


    Across the table, Elliana said nothing. Her silence wasn’t indifference—it was the stillness of someone listening deeply. Her gaze reflected Hailee’s pain like a mirror. “Doesn’t your boyfriend have family? Someone who could step in?”


    “He’s an orphan. He grew up in an orphanage,” Hailee answered softly, shaking her head.


    This simple reply brought understanding. Elliana didn’t press further. She felt conflicted, uncertain if helping Hailee was the right move. Her identity as Milena was constantly watched by powerful figures and global elites. Some truly needed her skills, but others had darker motives, aiming to exploit her for their own gain. Because of that, exposing herself as Milena wasn’t a choice she could make on a whim. As much as she had the heart of a healer, she had to protect herself first. As if realizing she’d said too much, Hailee quickly dabbed her eyes and gave a sheepish smile. “I’m so sorry, Elliana. You invited me out for a nice meal, and here I am, dumping my problems on you. I promise I won’t bring it up again.”


    Before either of them could say more, the waiter arrived with their food. While arranging the tes, Hailee mustered a smile and gentlydled a portion onto Elliana’s te. “Let’s just eat, okay? Forget all that.”


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    With an understanding nod, Elliana picked up her fork and sliced into the steak. Juices spilled across her te with every cut, the first bite melting tenderly on her tongue—but despite the vor, her chest felt heavy. Hailee had a genuinely kind soul. Even with such a heavy weight on her shoulders, she always kept a smile on her face around others, not wanting to be a burden or make anyone worry. Moreover, the moment someone threatened her friend, she stood without hesitation. Someone like her deserved more than silent sympathy.


    After finishing her first bite, Elliana met Hailee’s eyes. “What about your family? Do they know what you’ve been doing for your boyfriend?”


    In response, Hailee gave a subtle shake of her head. “My family is simple, just me and my dad. He raised me by running a tiny diner. Paid for everything—school, rent, food. After all that, I feel like I’m failing him now.”


    Tears were beginning to well again, her voice growing thinner with each word. “I can’t let him find out. He’ll just worry, and I’ve already put enough on his shoulders. But I can’t abandon my boyfriend either. He’s got no one else. I’m all he has. If I let go, he’s alone in the world.”


    Elliana wanted to ask what made this man worth such a sacrifice—what kind of love could drive someone to give so much—but the time wasn’t right. A love strong enough to make a woman give up everything had to be a story with manyyers. If she had asked Hailee about it, they’d be talking for hours, and that would have pushed back the evening’s recording session.


    Rather than press further, Elliana tucked her curiosity away. A quiet gesture followed as she gently scooped a bit of food onto Hailee’s te. “Come on, eat something. Things won’t stay like this forever. Who knows—maybe that unreachable Dr. Atkinson will appear one day and grant every single wish you’ve been holding onto.”


    Tears still clung to Hailee’sshes, but a smile managed to break through. “You don’t know how much that means. I know it sounds impossible, but your words make it feel a little less hopeless. Thank you.”


    No more words passed between them after that. Their meal continued in calm silence, aforting pause in the chaos of their lives. By the time they stepped outside, the sky had darkened into a velvet curtain. Across the road, the museum glowed beneath golden lights, its entrance nked by polished luxury cars. Guests in tailored suits and floor-length gowns filed inside,ughter and murmurs drifting on the breeze.


    Anticipation buzzed in the air—the grand finale of the Starry Oil Painting Competition was about to begin, drawing eyes from every corner of the art world.


    With a look that carried more than confidence, Elliana tilted her chin slightly and crossed the street with steady steps. She wasn’t here just topete. Tonight, someone was going to regret crossing her.


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