?Chapter 42:


    Belinda shut her eyes, offering no response to Kristopher’s probing question.


    Shortly after, Kristopher and a nurse escorted her back to her room. The nurse quickly reviewed the essential precautions before she exited, closing the door with a soft click.


    Now alone with Kristopher, Belinda watched as he moved to stand beside her bed, his gaze drifting to the medications cluttering her nightstand. He picked up a box, his tone t as he asked, “What’s this condition that has you coughing up blood so frequently?”


    “It’s just a stomach problem,” Belinda responded, swiftly taking the box from him and cing it back. “An old issue that’s red up recently,” she added, not wanting to arouse his suspicion. “Nothing serious. I should be better in a few days. Sometimes certain foods just set it off.”


    “Just a regr stomach problem?” Kristopher looked at her skeptically, a hint of mockery in his voice. “And your gums bleed too?”


    Belinda grimaced, nodding reluctantly. “Yes, I’ve had some mouth ulcerstely. They bleed when I brush my teeth.”


    “So, the blood you vomited yesterday came from your gums, not your stomach, right?” Kristopher challenged, his skepticism apparent. “You im it’s just a stomach problem, yet you’re constantly spitting up blood. That doesn’t sound like something trivial.”


    Caught off guard by his implication, Belinda paused, the weight of his words slowly sinking in.


    She offered a smile tinged with bitterness and sorrow. “Yes, you caught me, didn’t you?”


    His response came with a quiet sigh of relief, his eyes glinting with amusement. “You know your little schemes won’t work on me.” Three years prior, during his time in aa, she had cared for him tirelessly, bathing him despite his considerable height over her. Though he was unable to talk or move, he was acutely aware of her constant presence and the soothing murmur of her voice.


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    She possessed a vitality and energy unmatched by any woman he had encountered.


    Thus, when she coughed up blood, he was certain she was faking it. Just then, Kristopher’s phone broke the silence.


    Anthony was on the line.


    He pulled out his phone, hesitated at the sight of “Grandpa” disyed on the screen, and after a lengthy pause, answered.


    “Why did it take you so long to answer?” Anthony’s voice, filled with irritation, thundered through the phone the moment the connection was made. “Where are you right now?”


    Taking a moment, Kristopher responded softly, “I’m at the hospital with Belinda.”


    At the mention of Belinda, Anthony’s tone immediately mellowed. “How is she? You’d better hope she’s alright!”


    “She’s okay,” Kristopher replied, giving Belinda a nonchnt nce and sighing lightly. “It’s just a minor stomach problem, nothing to worry about.”


    “Why was she coughing up blood then? Last night, I heard she coughed up a whole lot!”


    “It was just her gums bleeding,” Kristopher replied, massaging his forehead with a little impatience. “Don’t worry about it. She’s perfectly healthy.”


    “Perfectly healthy, you say?” Anthony scoffed. “You don’t seem to care about her at all! She has vomited blood, yet you say she’s well?” Kristopher gave a faint smile. “I just don’t want you to be too worried. In fact, she is really okay and doesn’t have any serious illness.”


    “If she’s really okay, arrange for someone to keep herpany ande home. I’m clued in about everything that happenedst night,” Anthony said with a heavy sigh. “You have thirty minutes to get here and sort this out.” With that, Anthony ended the call.


    Kristopher’s expression turned sour, and he red at Belinda. “Did you hear that? Your actions have caused all this trouble. You’reing with me to sort things out.”


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