《Mr. Burns Is Killing His Wife》


 Chapter 1 SheS Dying

    Chapter 1 She''S Dying


    Chapter 1 She''s Dying


    "Ms. Powell, did your family note with you?"


    Elisa Powell was confused. It was just a physical exam report, did she really need someone to


    come with her?


    Besides, what family did she have left?


    Her mother died in childbirth giving birth to her. Her father treated her as a tool to make money. Her


    brother med her for their mother''s death and hated her bitterly. And her lover - she had stolen


    him away. If it weren''t for the doctor suddenly mentioning the word "family", she would have nearly


    forgotten what that meant.


    After a moment of hesitation, Elisa shook her head. "Just me."


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    The doctor furrowed his brows, pushed up the sses on his nose, and let out a heavy sigh. His


    eyes were full of pity and his tone was helpless. He handed Elisa the stack ofb reports on his


    desk.


    "Ms. Powell, the test results are back. Late-stage stomach cancer."


    He seemed to pity this young woman who had such a terminal illness, speaking and moving


    cautiously.


    Elisa''s breath hitched. She took theb report and frowned at the numbers. She wasn''t a doctor, but


    she could tell how serious the tumor in her stomach was.


    She had actually suspected something when she had the endoscopy done, but didn''t dare think


    about it.


    The doctor pointed at the images, exining them one by one to Elisa. Elisa spaced out, only


    catching half of what he said. In summary, she didn''t have much time left and needed to be


    admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy as soon as possible.


    How long could someone withte-stage stomach cancer live? Elisa was clearer than anyone on


    this illness, because her grandfather had struggled for two years before dying from it.


    The doctor kindly suggested, "Ms. Powell, we rmend you be admitted as soon as possible to


    begin treatment."


    "If I''m admitted, will I get better?" Elisa asked hoarsely, seeming to mutter to herself.


    The doctor didn''t respond, only shaking his head helplessly.


    So there was no cure. Elisa licked her dry lips, stood up and shoved the diagnosis into her bag.


    She said thanks, turned and left the examination room.


    When she left the hospital, it was raining outside. The fine rain mixed with cold wind stung her face


    like knives. Elisa opened her bag, took out her umbre and popped it open. The rain fell diagonally


    and the umbre didn''t block the chill.


    The March weather wasn''t very cold, but Elisa''s chill came from her bones, spreading nonstop


    through her blood to her limbs.


    Her fingers were red from the cold. She held the umbre with one hand and clenched her other


    hand in a fist in her pocket, but no matter how she tried, she couldn''t warm up.


    Elisa walked aimlessly, turning the ring on her left hand. She looked up at the overcast sky. The


    weather in Yorkshire changed so quickly. Before she realized it, spring hade. Spring was


    supposed to be the season of vitality, so howe when it arrived for her, it meant she was going


    to die?


    Elisa stood at the roadside and hailed a taxi. When it pulled over, she slowly folded up her umbre


    and bent to get into the backseat.


    The driver asked, "Where to?"


    "North Yorkshire," Elisa replied softly.


    After driving for a while, Elisa couldn''t help but open her bag and look again at the images from the


    diagnosis.


    The stomach in the pictures was twisted and ugly, hard to believe it was part of her own body.


    Her stomach cancer was starved out. In the four years married to Hamish Burns, in order to please


    him she had diligently cooked to his tastes, thinking that even if he didn''t like her, at least seeing a


    full table might soften him towards her a bit.


    But Hamish had no desire or willingness to share a meal with her at all. Still she hopefully prepared


    dinner every day, texting him on time toe eat. All this waiting didn''t bring him, but it did bring the


    stomach cancer.


    In the end she couldn''t hold back her tears. Elisa sucked in a breath. She had thought herself strong


    enough to weather any storm.


    But today, all the strength she had pretended to have copsed instantly. Her stomach kept


    cramping and Elisa curled up, unable to stop her trembling. She bit down hard with a stifled moan.


    Hearing her sobs, the driver nced in the rearview mirror. The woman was hunched over, her


    slender back shaking uncontrobly. It seemed like all the air in the car would be sucked away by


    her. This was the first time he had seen someone cry so despairingly.


    "Miss, are you alright? Did you just get dumped or have problems with work?" he asked.


    No response from the backseat, so he continued, "Nothing''s so bad it can''t be endured. Try thinking


    positive - crying won''t solve anything. Go home and get some good rest, tomorrow the sun will rise


    on a new day."


    Elisa lifted her head with a bitter smile at the corner of her mouth. She hadn''t expected that the


    person tofort her in her terminal illness would be aplete stranger.


    The driver just smiled without responding, and focused again on driving. When they reached North


    Yorkshire, he pulled over in a temporary parking spot.


    The thirty minute drive cost 28 pounds. Elisa paid and got out of the car, ripping up the diagnosis


    report and tossing it in the trash can.


    Another cold wind blew by. Elisa wiped the dried tears from her face, resuming the calm, unruffled


    expression of a mature woman. Only her puffy red eyes and bloodless face gave away that she had


    been crying.

 Chapter 2 Blood Draw

    Chapter 2 Blood Draw


    Chapter 2 Blood Draw


    Exhausted, Elisa went upstairs and turned the key to her apartment halfway. As she opened the


    door, her foggy mind sensed something different about the atmosphere inside, instantly bing


    alert.


    She could hear someone talking on the phone from behind the door. Hamish was back.


    Should she tell him about her gastric cancer diagnosis? Would he show some concern after hearing


    about it?


    Elisa repeatedly asked herself these questions, but her body seemed to move on its own - the door


    was already pushed open before she made up her mind. That was when she saw Hamish''s ashen


    face re at her the moment she entered.


    "Where have you been fooling around? Do you know how many calls I made to you?"


    Fooling around? If going to the hospital for a blood test and gastroscopy was considered fooling


    around, then she supposed she was. After all, death coulde knocking anytime for her now.


    As she thought about this, her eyes welled up again. But Hamish did not notice Elisa''s reddened


    eyes at all, still furiously using her with his gaze for not answering his calls.


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    Elisa took out her phone from her bag and shook the ck screen. "It''s out of battery," she said.


    She had two phones - one for work and one specifically for waiting for Hamish''s calls. The past two


    days, her stomach issues had consumed her so much that she had forgotten to charge it, which led


    to missing his calls on her way home.


    "What was so urgent?" For Hamish to call her repeatedly, she could guess without thinking who it


    was about.


    Just as she was about to continue that train of thought, Hamish grabbed her hand and pulled her


    outside. "L is injured and lost too much blood. Come with me to the hospital."


    Of course, all his panic was because of L Morris.


    Her heart instantly filled with sourness.


    L had a severe blood clotting disorder and a very rare blood type. As it happened, Elisa''s blood


    type matched hers.


    Soaked from head to toe by the rain, Elisa''s long seaweed-like hair clung dripping wet to her back.


    Her lips were sickly pale, her hands like ice, but Hamish did not notice any of this. The hospital L


    was in was just nearby, a ten minute walk, but Hamish was too anxious - he forcibly shoved Elisa


    into the backseat.


    Eyes fixed ahead as he drove, Hamish''s gaze inadvertently nced at the rearview mirror, and


    when he saw Elisa''s ghostly pale face, he couldn''t help but furrow his brows tightly. "Your face is as


    white as a ghost."


    So he finally noticed, huh.


    Elisa smiled mockingly, feeling a bitter obstruction in her throat. She opened the window and


    watched the raining down harder and harder outside, her body freezing up, breath turning into


    mist. Her eyshes fluttered lightly.


    Hamish gave her an indifferent nce, then felt an inexplicable irritation when she didn''t respond.


    He felt like there was something off about Elisa today.


    But then he thought, what did it matter to him what happened to Elisa? He should be focused on


    L''s condition right now. With this thought, his right foot pressed down slightly harder on the


    elerator, speeding the car up.


    At the hospital, Hamish dragged Elisa out of the car before she even got her footing, pulling her


    stumbling and struggling to keep up behind him.


    Hamish brought Elisa directly into the blood draw room, his cold eyes telling a nurse, "Draw her


    blood, no need to check, hurry."


    A bitter taste rose in Elisa''s mouth. Hamish trusted her blood more than her as a person, even


    finding checks a hassle. Wasn''t he worried that the cancer cells in her body might enter L''s?


    Elisa''s expression struggled for a bit before she said, "Hamish, I''m not feeling well today, could we


    not..."


    Hamish''s eyes narrowed dangerously, a threatening glint shooting out. He gripped Elisa''s chin in his


    hand and said coldly, "What right do you have to refuse? We signed a contract four years ago, ck


    and white, clear as day. Elisa, please fulfill your duties properly."


    That''s right, the contract they signed four years ago - she would provide blood to L


    unconditionally if L ever lost too much blood again.


    This was the deal she had struck back then. Even if Elisa were dying, she still had to donate blood


    to L.


    This was what she owed Hamish.


    That year, L had gotten into a car ident in Heise resulting in massive blood loss that urgently


    required Rh-negative blood.


    After hearing about L''s ident, Hamish had anxiously begged Elisa for help. At that time, in a


    moment of madness, Elisa had proposed an exchange - "Be my man, marry me, and I''ll save L."


    She still remembered the shock in Hamish''s eyes that day, and the disgust for her as a person that


    had slowly risen in his eyes afterwards.


    From that moment, Elisa had known they could never get along peacefully again.


    She had taken advantage of Hamish''s most difficult time of need to force him to concede.


    Born into the prestigious Burns family, Hamish was superior from birth. With the temperament of


    one high above others, enjoying the best of everything, surrounded by people who looked to him as


    leader, he had never even heard a harsh word before. This was the first time he had been


    threatened and coerced by someone.


    Elisa knew what Hamish detested most was being forced to do something against his will. So when


    she saw him sign the agreement without the slightest hesitation, she knew she had lost.


    Seeing how much he was willing to do for L''s sake, her heart ached bitterly, but sheter


    consoled herself that over time and marriage, feelings would blossom and Hamish woulde to


    care for her like he did for L.


    But sadly, God is fair. Elisa never imagined she would be abandoned by God so quickly.


    identally contracting a terminal illness, she really deserved it!


    As the needle pierced her skin and the dark red sma was slowly drawn out, the pain made


    Elisa''s face even more ghastly pale. It hurt terribly, even more than the gastroscopy.


    The nurse drawing her blood had never seen such a frail and weak woman before. Staring at that


    slim white wrist, she softly asked, "Can you still endure?"


    Dizzy, Elisa shook her head hoarsely, "Go on, I''m fine."


    The nurse drew a total of 600 before she dared not continue. The woman''s hands were just too


    icy cold, no longer normal body temperature.


    Right before losing consciousness, thest thing Elisa heard was Hamish asking the nurse, "Is that


    enough? Keep drawing if it''s not."


    How did Hamish be so ruthless over the years?

 Chapter 3 An Unsuitable Ring Is Like A Marriage

    Chapter 3 An Unsuitable Ring Is Like A Marriage


    Chapter 3 An Unsuitable Ring is Like a Marriage


    When Elisa woke up again, she was alone in the hospital room. Her phone was dead so she didn''t


    know how long she had slept. Looking out the window, the sky was still dark.


    Elisa got up, put on her shoes, grabbed her bag and walked out. As she passed by L''s room, she


    couldn''t help but stop as she saw the door was slightly ajar. L was inside with her husband


    Hamish.


    L had a face that made people fall for her. Even wearing the blue and white striped hospital gown


    couldn''t hide her clean and elegant aura. Her skin was very fair which made her almond eyes


    appear bright and clear. Elisa thought perhaps this was what Hamish liked about L, that innocent


    energy that came from within. Comparing herself, she was just a vicious hearted person who broke


    them up.


    Hamish''s kindness to L made Elisa a little jealous. Looking at them for too long, even she


    admired their rtionship. People who didn''t know Hamish thought he was cold by nature, but Elisa


    knew he had given all his gentleness to L and was unwilling to spare any for others. Of course, he


    had been good to her a long time ago, but now there was nothing left.


    Her peeping eventually caught the attention of the two inside. L looked at her once and her body


    shook like a little white rabbit as she hid behind Hamish. Her face showed fear, eyes red, as if


    looking at an unforgivable viin.


    Hamish gently patted L''s shoulder, giving Elisa an icy cold stare. Seeing it was Elisa standing at


    the door, irritation rose within him. That irritation turned into disgust and openly showed on his face


    as he scolded, "What are you doing standing there?"


    Elisa stood at the door watching the intimate couple inside. She suddenly felt it was too dazzling


    and didn''t want to look but she really couldn''t help it. Because this was a side of Hamish she had


    never seen before, the Hamish she yearned for. The more she looked, the more blurry her eyes


    became. It hurt so much, her heart felt dead.


    Hamish shielded L behind him, ring at Elisa. Seeing her pale bloodless face, aplicated


    emotion rose within him and his brows furrowed tightly.


    "Since you''re awake, go back."


    Elisa hesitated and asked hoarsely, "Are youing home tonight?"


    Seeing the guarded look in Hamish''s eyes, Elisa didn''t even bother exining. She didn''t


    understand what terrible thing she had done over the years to make Hamish guard against her like


    a thief.


    People''s hearts are made of flesh. Although she had separated him from L, during their four years


    of marriage, she had served him like a nanny, taking care of his daily needs.


    Although she couldn''t achieve a harmonious marriage, she had never interfered with his rtionship


    with L over the years. In the past, Hamish was more cautious, doing things in secret. After the


    Powell family declined and fell off the rich list, she was no longer a threat to him.


    She had never mentioned his open or hidden affairs with L. But to say she didn''t care? How could


    that be possible?


    Being with Hamish, Elisa lost everything. Not only did she get stomach cancer and was dying, she


    also had to help prolong his life. She was about to lose her own life yet who was there to help


    prolong hers?


    Elisa''s heart suddenly felt like it was being pierced by thousands of needles, the pain spreading


    through her blood vessels to every limb and joint. Even her fingertips hurt and shook.


    Elisa didn''t argue with Hamish''s order. After so many years she had gotten used to it, from initial


    fawning to now quietly restraining herself, drawing a line she could not cross.


    As she turned to leave, Elisa heard L''s voicee from inside.


    "Is Elisa okay after giving so much blood? She looks so pale."


    "She''s fine, her health has always been good."


    Look, this was the man she loved. Even her love rival could see her poorplexion yet he did not.


    Hamish was not a careless person. He could spot issues at work with one nce, know right away


    if something happened to L, yet he had no patience or care for Elisa who he had known for six


    years.


    Elisa took a deep breath, left this ce without looking back. The rain outside was getting heavier.


    She lowered her head and slowly walked back. There was no umbre in her bag. After getting


    drenched, her body chilled to the bone. Her originally sallow lips were now chapped from the cold.


    Her curledshes also had water beads on them.


    The cold made Elisa''s head and eyes swell up. Even her stomach ached from the chill. She


    reached to clutch her stomach but identally knocked off the ring on her left hand. Elisa stared


    nkly as she followed after it. After wearing it for four years, the ring had lost its original luster and


    had even ckened. She thought back to when they had signed the marriage contract and she


    casually said, "Now that we''re married, we should at least have wedding rings right?"


    Hamish had heard her and directly bought a cheap 30 dor single ring from a roadside stall and


    tossed it to her.


    He mocked, "Here, this is all you''re worth."


    At that time, Elisa just smiled faintly, the destion in her eyes unspeakable. The ring was a size


    too small. She forced it onto her finger until her ring finger was red and bleeding but she persisted in


    wearing it.


    At that time, Elisa stubbornly thought that if she wore the ring long enough, someday it would fit.


    She didn''t expect that after wearing it for so long, it would slip off her finger.


    Just like her rtionship with Hamish.


    Elisa curled up in the heavy rain, her stomach burning and churning violently. She quickly covered


    her mouth and dry heaved twice. Her eyes hurt until they were bloodshot and tears flowed out


    uncontrobly.


    The rain continued to fall. Passersby on the streets opened up their umbres one after another.


    Elisa squatted on the ground and picked up the ring, clutching it to her chest. She slowly stood up


    after her stomach settled down a bit.


    She was like a ghost in the rain, lost in her thoughts until she bumped into someone. Elisa came


    back to her senses, flustered as she lowered her head to apologize. It was a young mother and


    child. The woman held her child''s hand, her voice gentle, "It''s okay."


    The child looked up at Elisa''s flushed eyes and asked in a small voice, "Sister, were you crying?"


    The woman patted the child''s head and gave Elisa an apologetic look before leading the child away.


    With their backs to her, Elisa heard the child ask his mother, "Why was sister crying? Was she


    scared?"


    "How could big sister be scared?"


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    The sound of rain grew lighter and Elisa gradually couldn''t make out what else the mother and child


    said.


    Elisa gently clutched her stomach. She looked up and forcefully held back her tears. Scared? How


    could she not be scared - going to the hospital alone, getting an endoscopy, being called to the


    doctor''s office alone, and finally being diagnosed with a terminal illness. With all that, how could she


    not be terrified to the point her whole body turned cold.


    But more than all of that, what Elisa feared most was dying alone, without anyone by her side.

 Chapter 4 Divorce Hamish

    Chapter 4 Divorce Hamish


    Chapter 4 Divorce Hamish


    Elisa staggered back, the ten-minute walk took her twenty minutes. The vi had no heating, the


    huge room was deathly cold.


    Elisa kicked off her high heels, stumbling drunkenly into the bathroom. She turned on the hot water


    in the bathtub, halfway full, the resolute person a moment ago now lifeless like a corpse in the tub.


    The hot water spread, the person silent and motionless, therge red dress covered the entire


    bathtub, like a ring blood water, making Elisa''s face as white as rice paper.


    She closed her eyes, her face sinking into the water. The water gradually overflowed over her head,


    sealing off all senses. The brief suffocation numbed her heart. After a while, she couldn''t help but


    open her mouth, hot water entered her mouth, and a wave of nausea rushed up from her stomach.


    Elisa opened her bloodshot eyes from the water and poked her head out. Shey on the bathtub,


    her body crawling and hanging. Her stomach felt like there was a hand tearing and scratching.


    Numbly she opened her mouth, her upper body convulsing uncontrobly. Not having eaten all day,


    what she threw up was yellow acidic water that burned her throat, even bringing tears to her eyes.


    After throwing up to the end, Elisa rubbed her sore eyes and looked at the mucus on the ground


    mixed with blood water. The corner of her mouth ticked up slightly, a smile not reaching her eyes,


    the pupils filled with lifeless destion.


    She took off her red dress and used it to wipe the blood stains on the ground. She couldn''t let


    Hamish see the blood.


    Outside, the sky gradually darkened. Elisa walked barefoot back to the bedroom and dove into bed


    head first. She couldn''t sleep, not knowing she could still fantasize about a hopeful future when she


    first got sick. Now, no matter how hard she tried, it was just a futile struggle.


    Four years, she had given herself away in four years, from being full of affection to now boundless


    despair.


    Today, it seemed she had used up all her tears for this lifetime. Elisa put her hand over her heart,


    bitterly mocking herself: Clearly it''s your stomach that''s bad, what are you hurting for?


    The phone in her bag suddenly vibrated. Elisa reflexively propped herself up, taking the phone out


    of her bag at top speed. When she saw the caller ID on the screen, she seemed to have lost all her


    strength.


    It wasn''t him. Elisa, what are you still hoping for?


    Elisa stared nkly at her phone for two seconds before stiffly swiping up to answer the call.


    "Micah." Elisa''s voice was very hoarse, like the edge of a de scraping over a whetstone,


    somewhat grating.


    Micah Baker was her childhood friend who grew up together, not family yet closer than family. For a


    long time when she was little she lived at the Baker residence. To Elisa, Micah was like her brother.


    On the phone, Micah asked worriedly, "Elisa, why is your voice so hoarse? Are you sick?"


    "A little cold, just woke up from a nap and my voice is hoarse,"


    Before Elisa could finish, Micah interrupted her on the phone, "Elisa, are you trying to lie even to


    me? Have you forgotten I''m a doctor? I can still tell the difference between a just woken up voice


    and one that''s been crying."


    She choked up, like there was a sharp rock stuck in her throat, grinding it bloody and raw, couldn''t


    spit it out nor swallow it down. She couldn''t get out a single word of exnation, only letting out a


    bitterugh in the end.


    Micah asked, "Elisa, can you tell me why you were crying?"


    Elisa held her phone, staring at the wooden floor. No one liked to reveal their weakest spots. She


    shook her head in refusal, "Can''t."


    Micah was taken aback. He knew what kind of personality Elisa had. To put it nicely she was strong-


    willed, to put it bluntly she was stubborn as an ox. If she didn''t want to say it, even an iron mp


    couldn''t pry it out of her.


    Micah could only change the subject, "Did you go get your physical exam results from the hospital


    today?"


    Elisa pursed her chapped lips, "Pretty good."


    Micah said, "If you don''t want to say, fine. I''ll go to the hospital myself and check your exam results.


    I still have the qualifications to look at them."


    Micah was the head surgeon at that hospital. If he wanted to check, it was the simplest thing.


    Mistake.


    "You tell me yourself or let me check, you choose." He continued pushing her.


    The phone went very quiet, so quiet she could hear the breathing on the other end. Elisa admitted


    defeat, "Cancer,te stage stomach cancer."


    Micah: "..."


    The other party seemed to be holding something back, ragged breathing constantlying through


    the call to her ears.


    "How could that be possible, you''re still so young.", Micah murmured to himself, his voice gradually


    choking up.


    Even over the phone Elisa could feel his grief. He was sad for her. Having someone care about her


    before she died, she was already very content.


    "Come to the hospital and let me examine you again."


    Elisa refused, "No matter how many times it''s examined, it''ll be the same result. Micah, I know my


    own body. Perhaps this is retribution."


    "Nonsense! Elisa, listen to me, get admitted and treat it properly, you''ll definitely get better." Micah''s


    voice was filled with grief. As a doctor specializing in this field, he was clear how serious this


    disease was, and how agonizing the pain could be.


    How could Elisa let her body get to this state?


    Micah didn''t know how to persuade Elisa. Sometimes it wasn''t whether she wanted to live or not,


    but whether God would give her life. Her time had already been limited. The hospital''s advice was


    either get admitted and suffer a few more years, or give up treatment and let God decide. In short,


    she was going to die soon either way.


    "Elisa, divorce Hamish. Look what state he''s tortured you into these four years."


    Divorce. Elisa had never thought about divorcing Hamish. To her, he was her everything, the light


    she wanted to grasp for her whole life. But how could you grasp light?


    Elisa tightly gripped her phone, knuckles white from force. Using a lot of effort she said, "I''ll consider


    it."


    Divorcing Hamish was like forcibly carving out a piece of flesh from her chest. How could it be


    easy?


    Micah told her to go to the hospital again tomorrow. Elisa agreed with her mouth but didn''t truly take


    it to heart.


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    Aside from being Hamish''s wife, she was also the CEO presiding over Powell Group, always busy


    with things.


    A person''s endurance was like a camel, able to bear burdens and move forward under high


    pressure, but often a camel would die from just one extra straw loaded on its back.


    After the call ended, Elisa casually threw her phone on the bedside table. Her stomach kept hurting,


    looks like it would be hard to sleep tonight. She opened the drawer and took out two bottles of


    medication, one for pain and one to help sleep. She took two pills from each then fell back on the


    bed.


    Perhaps the medication took effect, her mind started feeling muddled. Frequently having


    nightmares, like a ghost pressing down on her, her chest heavily weighed down and unable to


    breathe. She shook her head mumbling, after struggling awake she suddenly realized the thing


    weighing her down wasn''t some evil spirit, it was clearly Hamish.

 Chapter 5 He Had Never Seen Elisa Get Sick

    Chapter 5 He Had Never Seen Elisa Get Sick


    Chapter 5 He Had Never Seen Elisa Get Sick


    Hamish''s body was emitting chilliness. The two were only a few centimeters apart, and Elisa was


    chilled awake in an instant, facing the sinister gaze of the man. She didn''t know where to dart her


    eyes.


    Suddenly, a bony finger pinched her chin, forcing Elisa to raise her head and look up in panic.


    "Hamish, when did youe back?"


    "I cane back whenever I want. Do I need to report to you?" Hamish knelt on the bed, forcibly


    pressing down on Elisa despite her resistance. He moved forcefully, pinching Elisa''s wrists without


    an ounce of mercy.


    Feeling the woman in his arms go from rxed to stiff, finally struggling and resisting, but having


    her legs suppressed.


    Elisa was panic-stricken. She had never seen Hamish like this before, like a vicious wolf about to


    shred and devour her. She was very afraid of him like this. The gentle and refined Hamish in her


    memories was bing more and more blurred.


    She instinctively started begging for mercy: "Hamish, it hurts so much."


    "Elisa, you really disgust me. Both your face and your body repulse me. A woman like Elisa doesn''t


    deserve to be treated well or patiently. It''s all excessive."


    Elisa''s body stiffened. She clenched her teeth tightly, her face as dull as old paper under the dim


    light, without a hint of color.


    She should have been used to Hamish''s insulting words, but for some reason, her heart still ached


    as if it was being crushed in someone''s palm little by little.


    Hamish rarely came back. He treated her like a prostitute,ing back to lie down when he was


    bored before leaving again, as if to fulfill her "marital duty."


    Today L was injured. Logically, he should have been with the love of his life at the hospital. But


    now, in the middle of the night, he appeared in her bedroom. With a little thought, Elisa understood-


    he must have had a disagreement with L. Otherwise, how could it be her turn?


    But tonight she really didn''t have the extra energy to deal with him. Elisa pushed against the man''s


    firm chest, looking for a chance to escape. Her body had just straightened up when her long hair


    was seized from behind.


    "Ah--" Elisa let out a cry of pain as her neck leaned back. "Hamish, it''ste today. I don''t want to


    have sex with you."


    She didn''t know what it was about those words that angered him. Hamish''s gloomy face looked


    particrly terrifying in the light and shadow. He grabbed Elisa''s hand forcefully and pressed her


    face into the pillow.


    "Elisa, who are you pretending to be innocent for? Do you think I don''t know if you want to do it or


    not? Threatening me to get married, and now you want to act indifferent?"


    It was too unpleasant to hear. Elisa''s breathing shuddered. She stared at the ceiling with tears


    swirling in her eyes before finally being unable to hold back, wetting the pillow.


    This was the man she had insisted on marrying, using the cruelest words to injure her all over.


    Seeing her moist eyes, Hamish''s heart tightened for a moment. He untied his tie from his neck in


    irritation and tied Elisa''s hands to the headboard.


    Elisa endured the pain brought by stomach cancer. Her tongue pressed against her teeth as she


    suppressed her voice, desperately swallowing back the bloody taste in her throat. She was on the


    verge of begging for death, in excruciating pain.


    Watching the woman curled up like a cat in the bedding, trembling finely, she looked a bit pitiful to


    Hamish.


    Of course Hamish didn''t care about her, let alone have her in his heart. Elisa''s health had always


    been good. Working overnight and still being able to go to work on time wasmon. In all the time


    with her, it seemed like he had never seen her get sick.


    Her long hair was messy on the bed. Her back was very slender. When she bent over, her two


    shoulder des were like butterflies about to spread their wings.


    He couldn''t help reaching out to touch them. His fingertips had just made contact when the woman


    recoiled as if frightened, quickly moving sideways. Hamish''s eyes shed with fierceness, extremely


    displeased in his heart.


    "Usually like a dead fish, and now you want to y hard to get? But I''m telling you it''s useless!" For


    some inexplicable reason, a surge of irritation rose in Hamish''s heart. Even he didn''t know how to


    quell this emotion.


    He was unwilling to admit this feeling came from Elisa. He could only think of L-thinking of what


    L had said to him at the hospital, asking when he would divorce Elisa-his mood instantly slipped


    downward.


    Hamish gritted his back mrs. What was there about Elisa that was worth arguing with L over?


    Elisa hugged herself, like a turtle shrinking into its shell, presenting a state of self-protection. She


    felt so cold, even though she had turned on the AC and was under a quilt. She still couldn''t


    withstand the chill.


    It was as if a gash had been sliced open in her chest, infected and rotting her internal organs.


    She had always endured pain well. She would swallow broken teeth and think nothing of it. But this


    time, she really couldn''t stand it anymore. Once the thought of divorce stabbed into her heart, it


    would spread wildly.


    When she had the strength, she would talk to Hamish about divorce. She was going to die soon.


    She didn''t have time to appease him anymore.


    When Elisa passed out from the pain, she heard Hamish say hisst words.


    "If it wasn''t for you having the same blood type as L in your body, do you think I would look twice


    at you? But soon you won''t have any use left."


    When Elisa woke up, Hamish was long gone. She weakly propped herself up. The quilt slid off,


    exposing the hideous wounds on her neck and shoulders.


    Elisa got out of bed. Her feet had just touched the ground when her mind spun into brief darkness.


    Elisa staggered into the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror.


    The battered body covered in injuries made one feel pitiful upon seeing it. Elisa was no exception.


    She pitied herself. Her heart was so small, yet it waspletely filled with Hamish. She had tried


    her best to please him for four years, but in the end still couldn''t escape a goodbye.


    If feelings could be obtained through effort, how wonderful would that be?


    She stood in front of the sink washing her face and brushing her teeth. Her already painful throat,


    afterst night''s begging and sobbing, had be even more painful. As she was brushing her


    teeth, a gag reflex urred in response to irritation in her throat. Her body convulsed as she


    retched. What she spit out was toothpaste foam stained with blood.


    Elisa had always adapted well. Even vomiting blood was something she could get used to and pay


    no mind. She turned on the faucet and rinsed away the bloody foam in the basin.


    After cleaning up anding out, it was past 7:30. She couldn''t eat anything, but thinking of the


    deformed stomach inside her, she still heated up a cup of milk to drink.


    At thepany, Elisa processed documents and looked over Powell Group''s profits for the past few


    months. The data was declining. It was as if Elisa had already seen the day Powell Group would fall


    into decline.


    She had long known about Hamish secretly sabotaging Powell Group out of spite, in order to get


    back at her. He could be said to stop at nothing.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    Hamish had always been the vengeful type. He acted decisively and in a sh had pulled the once


    strongestpany in Heise, Powell Group, down from its status in the business world.


    In the end she was no match for him. Hamish''s vicious methods were something she could probably


    never learn in her lifetime.


    After flipping through a ledger, Elisa leaned back in her chair, picked up the now cold coffee on her


    desk and took a sip. The coffee''s bitter taste slowly diluted the bloody sweetness in her throat.


    A skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Elisa got up and went to the floor-to-ceiling window,


    looking at the high-rises before her. It was time to prepare for the end.


    But who should manage this massive corporation after her death?


    Her dad? Or her brother? Those two only knew how to enjoy the fruits of others''bor. She feared


    that if Powell Group was handed to them, it would be squandered in a matter of years.


    The more Elisa thought about it, the more she realized the most suitable person to take over Powell


    Group was actually her legal husband who was bent on bankrupting Powell Group-Hamish.


    Elisa''s brows were shrouded in gloom. Her eyes looking out the window had be very deep, like


    a drop of ink dissolving into them, an undiluted ck. She raised her left hand and pressed it


    against the cold window, her fingertips turning cold white. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the


    ss.


    The office was very quiet, making those soft taps especially clear. Elisa rarely had moments of


    absentmindedness. She liked spacing out, sinking into a fleeting state of loss of awareness, as if


    only this could make her temporarily forget the pain reality brought her.


    The phone on the desk suddenly vibrated. Elisa snapped back to her senses and looked over. From


    three meters away, she could still clearly see "Father" on the screen.


    Father should have been one of the closest words in the world, but to Elisa it was just a cold


    appetion. She went over and answered the phone.


    "Elisa, transfer 200, 000 to my ount." Koby Powell''s voice was slightly low, his tone cold and


    detached.


    Elisa''s hand holding the phone tightened: "Dad, are you only calling me for money?"


    Koby sounded a little impatient: "It''s only right for a daughter to give her father money. If you weren''t


    in charge of the Powell family, do you think I''d want money from you? If you don''t want to give


    money then sign Powell Group over to me."


    Elisa carefully savored the appetion "daughter." It was admirable her dad still remembered she


    was his daughter, not just a cold, impersonal money printer.


    He remembered she was his daughter, but why did he never care about her? She didn''t expect


    Koby to treat her very well, she just wanted him to ask her normal questions every so often-have


    you eaten? How are you feelingtely? Are you tired from work? Things like that would be enough.


    She was actually very easy to satisfy, just needing a tiny bit of care.


    "Did you hear me or not!" Koby snapped over the phone.


    Elisa suppressed her emotions: "Didn''t I just transfer one hundred thousand to youst week? It''s


    only been a few days. Did you use it all up already?"


    "That little bit of money can''t do much," Koby said somewhat guiltily. But thinking of Elisa controlling


    this massive corporation, sometimes taking in over a million a day, he felt some confidence again.


    "Hurry up and transfer the money, or I''ll go straight to yourpany for it. Let''s see if it''s more


    embarrassing for me or for you then."


    "I can give the money, but you have to tell me what you''re using it for. 200, 000 is no small amount."


    Seeing Elisa relent, Koby also lowered his tone: "I''ve got my eye on an investment project recently,


    justcking 200, 000. Once I make money from it I won''t need to ask you anymore."

 Chapter 6: ItS Better Not To Give False Hope

    Chapter 6: It''S Better Not To Give False Hope


    Chapter 6: It''s Better Not to Give False Hope


    "An investment project? Elisa frowned, barely listening to Koby''s words. If he really had any


    business acumen, her grandfather wouldn''t have left the Powell Group to her.


    "Just send the money over if you know about it, I need it urgently now."


    Elisa said, "I can give you money, but you have to send me the information about the investment


    project for me to review first."


    What father has ever been controlled like this by his daughter? Koby felt humiliated. He cursed


    Elisa over the phone, saying she was trash and he should have aborted her early on. After saying


    some harsh words, he tried to gain sympathy.


    A p followed by a candy, Elisa was already numb to these tactics. After listening, she simply


    replied ndly, "Anything else to say? I''m busy here, I''ll hang up if there''s nothing else."


    "Don''t hang up, don''t hang up!" Koby quickly stopped her, afraid she would change her mind and he


    would lose the money.


    After hanging up, Elisa waited by herputer. Soon, Koby sent over the documents. She


    forwarded them to her assistant to print out a copy and bring in, and to help make her a cup of


    coffee at the same time.


    The documents were delivered. Elisa lowered her eyes to read them. Only when a cup of hot coffee


    was ced on her desk did she stop. The coffee emitted a rich aroma. Elisa freed a hand to pick it


    up and took a sip. The coffee was high-quality Blue Mountain. The aftertaste was fragrant, yet still


    too bitter.


    She had a sweet tooth and disliked bitter tastes. As someone who used to need a sugar cube even


    when taking medicine, she now had to rely on this bitter coffee to stay alert.


    Elisa took a sip and put it down, continuing to focus on the documents.


    Koby was investing in real estate. There were ns, certificates, and the team also seemed


    reliable. Not even halfway through, Koby called to hurry her for the money.


    Her assistant knocked and entered as Elisa was on the phone. She nced over to signal the


    assistant to speak.


    The assistant said, "Ms. Powell, Dr. Baker is here to see you downstairs."


    Why was Micah here? Elisa was surprised and no longer had time to deal with Koby. She hurriedly


    said "I see" and promptly hung up the call.


    "Go bring him up, and get someone to make a cup of tea and bring it in."


    In the time her assistant went to get Micah, Elisa transferred 2 million to Koby''s ount.


    Elisa stared at her phone until the screen went dark, but didn''t get a word of thanks from her father.


    Sheughed self-deprecatingly and finally threw the phone on her desk.


    "Ms. Powell, Dr. Baker is here."


    The office door was open. Seeing Micahe in, she waved at her assistant to leave.


    "Have a seat," Elisa said, standing up. Her office wasrge with a dedicated guest area by the floor-


    to-ceiling windows. She led Micah over to the sofa.


    Micah smelled a strong aroma of coffee as soon as he entered. Following it, he saw the half-


    finished cup on the desk. He frowned, "You''re still drinking coffee?"


    "I can''t?" Elisa pushed the tea on the coffee table toward him and casually asked, "Did youe


    today for something?"


    Micah sat down, "Looks like you''vepletely forgotten what I told youst night."


    Elisa''s outstretched hand froze. She quietly sat back on the sofa, head lowered, looking like a child


    who had done something wrong.


    "No matter what, you have toe to the hospital with me today."


    Elisa didn''t look at Micah, but at the withered nt next to her. She moved her lips, "Go do what?"


    "A full examination, determine a treatment n, get admitted."


    Micah scrutinized Elisa carefully. He hadn''t seen her for just a month, yet she had be so thin.


    He couldn''t imagine how someone who used to be afraid of getting injections when sick could now


    endure the agony of advanced stomach cancer.


    Elisa shook her head. The strands of hair on her forehead obscured the emotions in her eyes.


    "Micah, my illness is like this nt. The roots are already rotten. No treatment can cure it."


    "Ellie, how do you know it can''t be cured if you don''t even try? You can work tirelessly, spend all


    your effort pleasing a man who doesn''t love you for four years, yet why won''t you spend a little time


    on your health?" Micah felt Elisa didn''t value herself enough. She was only twenty-four.


    She should be healthy, happy, vibrant, enjoying the best life has to offer, not resigned to a dull


    marriage, imprisoning herself in work, and certainly not enduring the torment of cancer.


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Micah went to Elisa''s side and stroked her head like he used to, "Medicine is advanced nowadays.


    As long as you don''t give up and properly undergo treatment and surgery, there''s..." He stopped


    mid-sentence, unable to continue, because he saw Elisa''s eyes redden.


    Elisa caressed the withered leaves with her right hand and murmured, "Then tell me, how high are


    the chances of sess for the surgery? 50%? 20%? Or 0. 1%?"


    Micah pressed his lips together tightly, not making a sound.


    "Forget it." Elisa pulled the cracked corners of her mouth into augh. "You better not say anymore.


    That little bit of hope is better not given."


    She understood Micah''s meaning. Who doesn''t want to live? To have a healthy body? But she had


    never heard of anyone withte-stage stomach cancer surviving.


    With a flick of her right hand, the withered leaf crumbled in Elisa''s grasp, falling from her fingers to


    the ground.

 Chapter 7 LetS Get A Divorce

    Chapter 7 Let''S Get A Divorce


    Chapter 7 Let''s Get a Divorce


    Elisa''s eyes were lifeless, devoid of any will to live. This frightened Micah. "Ellie, is there nothing


    you want?" he asked.


    "There is something I want," Elisa said vacantly. Her face suddenly felt icy cold and she covered her


    eyes with her palm. Only then did she realize she was crying.


    "Micah, in my life, other than not having met my mother, what don''t I have? Wealth, power, even the


    man I''ve loved for so many years is by my side. Everything she could want is right in front of her,


    within reach yet still out of grasp."


    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Clearly Elisa did not wish to continue discussing this with him. She turned and sat at theputer,


    continuing to go through files. Micah''s visit today to persuade her had been futile. The Elisa now


    had locked herself away in a narrow, dim space where no one could enter.


    "Does Hamish know you''re sick?"


    "He doesn''t know, and I don''t want him to know either. Whether I''m sick or not, I''m still the proud


    Elisa, never one to fish for sympathy with illness. Besides, Hamish might not even sympathize.


    Knowing I''m about to die, at most he''d regret losing his walking blood bank that can no longer


    donate blood to L."


    Micah was silent. Finally he sighed softly, took two bottles of medication out of his bag and ced


    them on the coffee table - strong painkillers and anticancer drugs.


    "Don''t drink coffee anymore. Take the medication properly and eat on time," Micah instructed, then


    took a deep breath and left.


    Hearing the door close, Elisa looked up at the two bottles on the coffee table, then took out her


    phone to nce at her messages. Other than work stuff there was nothing.


    It had been half a month since Hamish was home. Elisa had gradually given up her habits - no


    longer leaving lights on for him or cooking dinner waiting for his return. Butte at night she still


    couldn''t kick the habit of watching her phone.


    She thought she could get rid of her feelings for Hamish all at once, but this emotion was like drugs


    - once you try it, you never know how terrifying it is until it''s toote. By the time you realize, it has


    already grown into a towering tree, blocking out all light. She wanted to quit, which meant hacking it


    out from the roots. It was something that had grown on her heart, entangled in the softest flesh. Just


    thinking about it made her heart ache.


    Elisa opened her contacts. The only person listed there was Hamish. She tapped his name.


    The call rang three times with no answer. This was normal, nothing to be disappointed about. Other


    than feeling a little chilled inside, all that remained was numbness.


    Elisa persisted tirelessly with the calls, the first time she had been this persistent since getting


    married.


    "Beep beep." On the fourth call, the ringing continued for a long time. Perhaps annoyed by her


    persistence, Hamish finally picked up.


    "What is it?"


    Hamish''s voice came through the phone to Elisa''s ears, not much warmer than her own hand.


    Seventeen days without contact did have an advantage - at least her emotions were stable. She


    didn''t break down crying when she heard Hamish.


    Elisa''s voice was somewhat hoarse. "Are you able toe home for a bit this weekend?"


    "What, haven''t touched you for half a month and now you''re eager to cozy up to me? How


    shameless can you be, Elisa?"


    Elisa''s body stiffened.


    The one who loved first and loved deepest was destined to be unequal in the rtionship, moreover


    Hamish had never loved her at all. She was as lowly as dirt.


    Elisa suppressed her temper. "I have very important matters to discuss with you, what you''ve


    always wanted. Are you sure you can''te back?"


    Hamish didn''t respond. The phone emitted noise and she could faintly make out L''s voice, soft


    and sweet. Elisa couldn''t hear what she said, only Hamish''s maic voice telling her, "Go to sleep,


    I''m here with you."


    Had she not closed the window? Otherwise why did she feel so cold?


    Suddenly Elisa felt chest pains, tightly squeezed until she couldn''t breathe. She clutched her chest


    gasping heavily for air, like a fish tossed ashore nearing death.


    Elisa let out a stifled groan, her stomach clenched and a mouthful of blood was already rising in her


    throat.


    The phone had gone quiet. Hamish simply responded, "What is it?"


    Before Elisa could speak, L hastily advised, "Hamish, Elisa misses you. Why don''t you go back to


    see her?"


    Elisa heard this clearly. Suddenly she felt disgusted, realizing how stupid she was to ask such a


    humiliating question, even needing Hamish''s lover to pity her and persuade him to go home.


    Now she understood - Hamish had been happily apanying L to y these past weeks, how


    could he spare a thought for her, a discarded belonging.


    Thinking back on the past four years, Elisaughed softly. The smile didn''t reach her eyes, still


    carrying that prideful coldness.


    She didn''t even know when the call had been cut off. Elisa simply held her phone, her hand


    stiffening as she slowly lowered it. The screen had long gone dark.


    Elisa took a deep breath. Blood flowed from the corner of her mouth and she reached to wipe it


    away. Her entire hand was stained with blood, sticky and ufortable. But Elisa didn''t bother


    cleaning it. Still gripping her phone, she sent Hamish a text:


    "Let''s get a divorce."

 Chapter 8 Hamish, Did You Just Try To Kill Me?

    Chapter 8 Hamish, Did You Just Try To Kill Me?


    Chapter 8 Hamish, Did You Just Try to Kill Me?


    Elisa waited nearly half an hour but still did not receive a reply from Hamish. She nced at the time - he was probably already asleep with L at this hour of the night.


    The blood on her hands had dried and felt disgusting. Elisa dragged her weak body into the bathroom to wash the blood off her hands. The icy liquid felt chilling to the heart.


    After returning to her room, she habitually poured herself a cup of hot water and took painkillers and cancer medication. The strong painkillers Micah gave for cancer''s end anesthesia - she would only take them when the pain was truly unbearable. Taking too much could lead to dependence and damage the nerves.


    She poured all the pills into in jars and threw them into a drawer. She wanted nothing more to do with Hamish. So what if they had loved each other for 16 years, been together for 6 years, and married for 4 years? It was nothing to get worked up over.


    At first light, Elisa awoke. She did not have the habit ofzing in bed - once awake, she would get up. Even though she was not going out, she still put on makeup out of habit, to make her sickly face look a little more spirited.


    Looking at her married self in the mirror, Elisa smiled. There was still tomorrow after today.


    Worried that Mr. Lane had not eaten breakfast, Elisa made two servings. Right after nine o¡¯clock, the doorbell rang.


    Elisa took off her apron and hung it on the wall before going to open the door. It was Mr. Lane.


    "Ms. Powell."


    "Come in quick. Have you eaten? Elisa asked.


    Following her in, Mr. Lane replied, "Yes, I''ve eaten."


    Hearing he had already eaten, Elisa did not feel right eating breakfast herself either. She hurriedly drank a ss of milk and made some tea before bringing it into the living room.


    Mr. Lane got right to business, sitting down and taking out hisptop. When he heard Elisa wanted to transfer most of Powell Group''s shares under Hamish''s name, he looked at her in astonishment, even stopping his typing.


    "Ms. Powell, you have to consider this carefully. Powell Group is your separate premarital property that your husband has no im to. I''ve seen many divorces fought over property division in court, but this is the first time I''ve seen someonepletely give up their premarital assets.


    Moreover, thepany owns a multi-billion dorpany. Setting aside whether Powell Group other shareholders would agree, your father alone would never allow it. If he knew you were divorcing and giving away thepany, he would surely react explosively."


    "I know, that''s why I need to discuss making a will with you next," Elisa replied, but before she could finish, the doorbell rang outside. She had to get up and answer it.


    "Excuse me a moment, I''ll get the door."


    Upon opening the door, a dark figure abruptly appeared before her eyes. An icy chill rushed up as Elisa instinctively took a step back.


    Looking up at Hamish, she asked, "Why are you back?"


    "Didn''t you tell me toe back?" Hamish''s normally pitch-ck eyes seemed somewhat bloodshot now. Hismanding aura naturally carried an oppressive force.


    Gripping the door handle, Hamish forcefully pushed it open and strode inside arrogantly. "What did you mean by the text you sent mest night?"Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Elisa was stunned briefly beforeughing mockingly. So this was about the divorce - the man who had verbally abused herst night for not wanting toe back had rushed right over at the first mention of divorce. He couldn''t wait, it seemed.


    Hearing her inexplicableugh, Hamish¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. His gaze swept the surroundings and upon seeing a pair of men''s leather shoes by the shoe rack, a sinister look shed through his dark pupils.


    Already in an extremely bad mood, Hamish now felt ready to explode. He had always had a terrible temper and never showed restraint when angry.


    Grabbing Elisa''s wrist, his gaze moved from the shoes on the floor to her face. Seeing she was still wearing makeup, his smile grew increasingly sinister. "So that''s why you suddenly want a divorce. Turns out you found a new lover? What, am I no longer enough for you alone?


    Elisa''s heart tightened. Frowning, she said, "Hamish, what nonsense are you talking about?"


    "Telling me toe back tomorrow was so you could be home alone with your wild man today, right?" Hamish forcibly dragged Elisa into the living room, squeezing her wrist as if wanting to crush the bones. He threw her onto the sofa and pressed his body down, mping her throat.


    "I didn''t." Elisa didn''t know what madness hade over Hamish that he would look at her this way - so deep and heavy, vaguely unsettling, leaving her limbs stiff with fear. She felt the air being sucked out of her chest, gasping desperately for breath.


    The thing Hamish hated most in life was betrayal. Even if he no longer loved this woman, he had used her - she was his, and he would not tolerate another man touching what was his.


    Thinking of Elisa secretly hiding a man at home, his anger raged, making him want to kill her on the spot.


    Elisa''s neck ached and her chest felt stuffy, even her fingertips trembling. The survival instinct made her raise her hands to grip Hamish''s wrists, but she did not have the strength to break his hold.


    Her vision went dark at the edges. Just as she thought she was about to suffocate and die, Mr. Lane heard themotion and hurried out, grabbing Hamish''s shoulder.


    "Mr. Burns, what are you doing?"


    Hamish turned his head. "So you''re the man Elisa''s hiding?"


    Mr. Lane immediately realized Hamish had misunderstood. He quickly exined, "No, don''t overthink this. I only came today to draft the divorce agreement between you and Ms. Powell." Worried Hamish didn''t believe him, Mr. Lane hurriedly took out his business card to show him.


    Hamish''s grip loosened slightly and Elisa gasped for breath, her body curled up and trembling on the sofa.


    Seeing Hamish release his hold, Mr. Lane also rxed, boldly asking, "Mr. Burns, why don''t you first discuss the divorce property division with Ms. Powell?"


    Hearing "divorce" again put Hamish back on edge, his mood turning icy once more for inexplicable reasons even to himself.


    Mr. Lane felt his legs go soft under Hamish''s sinister gaze. Unsure whether to stay or leave, he could only stand awkwardly, not even daring to let his eyes wander.


    It was only when Hamish uttered a low "get out" that Mr. Lane hurriedly turned and left, forgetting even hisptop in the living room.


    Elisa''s health was much weaker than before. Being strangled by Hamish had left a red mark around her slender, snow-white neck. It took a long time for her breathing to return to normal.


    Only now did she feel the extent of her illness. She had been grabbed and threatened by Hamish before, and while very ufortable, it had never been like now where she was powerless for so long after.


    "Hamish, were you trying to kill me just now?"

 Chapter 9: HamishS Outburst

    Chapter 9: Hamish''S Outburst


    Chapter 9: Hamish¡¯s Outburst


    Elisa had seen Hamish angry before, but he always gave off a cold and aloof vibe. Even his anger seemed distant, so she had never imagined him in such a fiery state today.


    Why was Hamish so furious? Was it because of the divorce? Or did he suspect she was hiding someone and being unfaithful, just like him?Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Hamish didn¡¯t answer her. He slumped onto the sofa, his gaze sidelong, his eyes red and pitiful, resembling a helpless rabbit.


    ¡°Why suddenly bring up divorce?¡± Elisa asked.


    Based on his attitude towards her just now and his current tone, anyone unaware would think she was the one involved in infidelity and domestic violence.


    Elisa almost burst intoughter from anger. She covered her neck and sat up, saying, ¡°Hamish, haven¡¯t you always wanted to divorce me and openly be with L? I¡¯m granting your wish now, so why does your expression seem so unwilling?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m asking why you want a divorce!¡± Hamish repeated, his tone growing more intense.


    ¡°Why else? I¡¯m tired of this marriage. I don¡¯t love you anymore, and I don¡¯t want to be L¡¯s walking blood bank. Is that enough?¡± Elisa¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot, perhaps from crying earlier, giving her a frightening appearance.


    Fearlessly, she stared at Hamish as if trying to see through his skin and into his heart. How was it that after four years of trying to cover it up, she still couldn¡¯t hide her true feelings?


    Elisa chuckled self-mockingly, ¡°If you think these reasons are not enough, then believe whatever you want.¡±


    Hamish¡¯s mind was filled with wild thoughts. What else could he think? He simply suspected Elisa of infidelity. Otherwise, why would she suddenly stop loving him?


    Although he disregarded her feelings for him, he was well aware of how much she cared for him. And now, she imed to have none, leaving him with an empty feeling, as if something had been lost.


    Hamish¡¯s gaze turned sinister, and the anger that had subsided surged back. His eyes were bloodshot, and he approached Elisa, grabbing her cor. ¡°Elisa, it seems like you had a lot of thoughts while I was away. Divorce is a lie, but someone else is real. I suppose thatwyer who came today is one of them. After all, a b**** like you probably can¡¯t be satisfied by just anyone.¡±


    Hamish yanked Elisa up and threw her to the ground, towering over her with an insulting re.


    Elisa almost vomited the milk she had drunk in the morning from the impact. Her stomach twisted in pain. She had a gentle personality, but she wasn¡¯t one to submit easily. Hamish¡¯s words enraged her, and the stifling anger almost crushed her chest.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I¡¯m involved with someone else!¡± Elisa gritted her teeth and sneered, ¡°What? Are you the only one allowed to have someone on the side? I¡¯m not?¡±


    Hamish pped her hard, without giving her a chance to react. Elisa was sent flying, her ears ringing from the impact.


    ¡°Do you dare say it again!¡± Hamish¡¯s p made Elisa cough up blood. He used all his strength, almost shattering all her illusions.


    Elisa wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and closed her eyes. She truly didn¡¯t want to waste any more of her remaining life on Hamish.


    ¡°Hamish, four years is long enough. I can¡¯t waste more time with you. I can¡¯t wait anymore,¡± she spoke as if a dying person would, but Hamish failed to understand. He was dumbfounded for a moment, then sharply retorted, ¡°You think I discovered your thoughts and now you want to have fun with those wild men of yours? You forced me to marry you back then, and now you want a divorce? That¡¯s wishful thinking!¡±


    Elisa found it amusing. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll give you your fair share of the divorce settlement. I won¡¯t let you suffer.¡±


    Did he really care about her portion of the divorce settlement? The Burns Group¡¯s daily profits were many times higher than the Powell Group¡¯s. Even if Elisa handed over the entire Powell family to him on a silver tter, he wouldn¡¯t spare her a second nce.


    Besides, what he wanted was always taken by force, without needing anyone''s charity.


    Hamish sneered, then forcefully tore at Elisa¡¯s clothes, pinning her down.


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? Hamish, we both know whates next,¡± Elisa resisted.


    Hamish leaned down to kiss her neck, biting her and pulling on her hair. Elisa gasped, tears welling up in her eyes from the pain.


    She tried to kick him, but before she could, the man forcefully held her down. Hamishughed and replied, ¡°You¡¯re making such a fuss just to make me stay with you, right?¡±


    Elisa fought back, ¡°Who said I¡¯m causing a scene? I called you back for a divorce.¡±


    Hamish didn¡¯t like her mentioning ¡°divorce¡± and leaned in to cover her mouth.


    Tears continued to stream down Elisa¡¯s face as she bit Hamish¡¯s lip. Her mouth filled with the taste of blood, and Hamish frowned slightly but didn¡¯t let go.


    Feeling nauseous from the blood in her mouth, Elisa feared she would vomit.


    Unaware of her difort, Hamish¡¯s mind was consumed by the thought that Elisa was involved with someone else. He was like a wild beast, wanting nothing more than to tear this damned woman apart, both inside and out.


    He had never shown any mercy towards Elisa. Her tears only fueled his rage, turning him into a demon emerging from hell.


    Compared to half a month ago, Elisa had be much thinner. Her slender waist seemed fragile, ready to snap. She was a perfect woman, and even if her body was reduced to mere bones, it wouldn¡¯t diminish her stunning beauty.


    Elisa¡¯s whole body trembled from the pain in her stomach, and she leaned on Hamish¡¯s shoulder, coughing.


    A drop of blood dripped from the corner of her mouth onto Hamish¡¯s ck suit, but he didn¡¯t notice. With blurred vision, Elisa reached out with trembling fingers to wipe it away.


    Hamish gently stroked her disheveled hair, then forcefully gripped her chin, his tone cold and heartless, ¡°Had enough? Do you still want other men?¡±


    Elisa¡¯s eyes turned watery, and her gaze appeared lost and empty. She seemed unable toprehend Hamish¡¯s words.


    Hamish chuckled, ¡°Elisa, I¡¯m not getting a divorce because of your blood. Do you really think I care about you just because we made love a few times? Stop dreaming!¡±


    Elisa¡¯s heart turned to ashes in an instant. She had once held this marriage close to her heart, but Hamish had destroyed her sixteen years of love, trampling on her heart and leaving it in the mud. Although she had hesitated before, now Elisa just wanted to divorce Hamish as soon as possible. She didn¡¯t need him to live.

 Chapter 10: Hamish, IM Dying

    Chapter 10: Hamish, I''M Dying


    Chapter 10: Hamish, I''m Dying


    Elisa''s lips turned pale as she struggled to speak a series of words, feeling a bit weak. Mechanically, she put on her clothes.


    "Hamish, we could have ended this marriage amicably. Since you refuse, I''ll have to sue you for domestic violence. See you in court."


    Elisa was a woman who wouldn''t yield easily, no matter the situation. Even when she was mistreated, she would shed a few tears and quickly regain herposure. Hamish didn¡¯t know where to start to break someone like her, and it was the first time he felt that way.


    They often say that once someone experiences enough pain, they won''t repeat their mistakes.


    Elisa dared to challenge him now, relying on the mighty Powell Group as her support. Without the Powell Group, she would be worth less than a dog.


    Originally, he had no interest in acquiring it, but now he realized that he had to take over the Powell Group as soon as possible and bankrupt the Powell family. Only then would Elisa be under his control, obediently following his orders, and bing apliant blood bank tool.


    Hamish attributed his twisted possessiveness to his hatred for Elisa. He didn¡¯t want to divorce her, but only because he didn¡¯t want to grant her wish.


    "It seems that the punishment was too lenient; otherwise, how could you not have learned your lesson!" After saying this, Hamish forcefully grabbed Elisa''s hand and pulled her up from the ground.From N?velDrama.Org.


    She felt weightless, as if he was holding a feather. She didn''t resemble a woman of 168 cm in height and the weight she should have had.


    Elisa, caught off guard by his actions, said, "Let go of me, I can walk on my own!"


    Of course, the man wouldn¡¯t listen to her. On the contrary, he tightened his grip around her waist and walked forcefully towards the bedroom.


    He threw her onto the bed. Elisa, frightened by Hamish¡¯s appearance, quickly hid in the corner of the bed. No one could endure pain, and what had just happened was already enough.


    Hamish watched her movements and sneered, "With your figure, do you really expect me to touch you a second time?"


    Elisa lowered her head, pursed her lips, and clenched her hand under the sheets, trembling.


    Hamish opened a drawer filled with various items. His gaze casually passed over the medicine bottle, not paying much attention to it, and pulled out a bunch of keys.


    "Since you seem to be in good spirits, three days without food shouldn''t be a problem for you."


    His emotionless words chilled Elisa, and she looked at him in disbelief.


    "You want to lock me up here for three days?"


    Hamish wasn¡¯t just saying it; his sinister gaze swept over her, slightly restrained. He turned and walked out.


    Ignoring the pain in her body, Elisa rolled off the bed and hurriedly followed behind Hamish.


    However, how could her severely ill bodypare to Hamish? The door in front of her made a loud bang, and the entire wall seemed to shake.


    Elisa felt as if she had fallen into an icy-cold water, her pores shrinking. She couldn¡¯t help but tremble, and her clear eyes became misty once again.


    She heard the sound of the door locking from outside. Hamish truly intended to leave her locked up here for three days without food.


    Three days without eating was unbearable for a normal person, let alone someone in the advanced stages of stomach cancer. Elisa mmed on the door with all her strength. "Hamish, let me out! My stomach hurts, I''m scared, I''m really scared."


    Hamish, standing outside the room, locked the door and rattled the keychain. He stared sharply at the closed door, as if he could see Elisa''s tearful face through it.


    He sneered, ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with me?¡±


    Elisa''s body was weaker than before, and she had lost some weight, but her stomach was still fine. It was just three days without food. There was tap water inside, and she wouldn¡¯t die from just water.


    He had made up his mind to punish Elisa, to give her asting memory, and make her afraid to defy him.


    Elisa continued to pound on the door. The room had soundproofing panels, so she wasn''t sure if Hamish was still outside. She could only plead with him repeatedly to let her out.


    Resting her head against the door, her heart turned cold, and tears fell heavily. "Hamish, I''m going to die."


    "Hamish, I''m dying."


    "I''m really going to die."

 Chapter 11 Just Because I Like You, You Are So Unrestrained In Hurting And Bullying Me

    Chapter 11 Just Because I Like You, You Are So Unrestrained In Hurting And Bullying Me


    Chapter 11 Just Because I Like You, You Are So Unrestrained in Hurting and Bullying Me


    At this moment, tears could not stop flowing, wetting her clothes. Outside, it waspletely silent. She did not know if Hamish had heard what she said, but one thing was certain-he had never cared if she died. He would not care about her.


    Elisa stopped abruptly. She wiped away her tears in disorder and curled up on the floor with her back against the door. She bit the back of her hand to keep herself from crying out.


    Her youth, her love, her marriage-it had all begun with Hamish, and now it was ending with him too.


    Hamish, I¡¯ve liked you for sixteen years. How many sixteen years are there in a lifetime? How could you take advantage of my feelings for you to bully me like this?Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Elisa let out a painful whimper. She hadn¡¯t eaten breakfast, only drinking a ss of milk. Now she was hungry, and her stomach clenched ufortably.


    Using thest of her strength, Elisa crawled and staggered into the bathroom. She opened the toilet and started retching violently, throwing up nothing but sour liquid that burned her throat.


    Even after vomiting, her stomach kept contracting. Elisa knew she couldn¡¯t throw up anymore or she¡¯d start bleeding. She desperately covered her mouth and moaned in pain.


    Elisa went back to the bedroom and took out the two bottles of medication from the drawer. For the next three days, she¡¯d have to rely on these to survive. There was no purified water in the room, so Elisa could only swallow the pills with tap water from the bathroom.


    Her esophagus was thinner than normal people¡¯s. The dry pills got stuck in her throat, slowly dissolving into a bitter acidity. Elisa made a mess of herself, suppressing her urge to vomit while forcing herself to swallow four pills.


    After getting the medicine down, Elisa couldn¡¯t help but heave once more. The pills she just swallowed seemed to havee back up to her throat. She forcibly covered her mouth. The bitter taste lingered ceaselessly in her mouth.


    Elisa curled up in bed, hugging a quilt. She waited from day to night. The originally stuffy weather now felt like the dead of winter, freezing her to the point of delirium.


    Elisa¡¯s pupils floated erratically. As the light grew darker, she started hiding under the covers like a turtle.


    Outside, thunder rumbled and a lightning bolt cracked down, its bright sh illuminating the entire bedroom for an instant.


    The room she had decorated to be so warm and cozy now looked terrifying. Light and shadows criss-crossed the ss windows. Another bolt of lightning struck amidst deafening thunder, seeming to tear apart the entire sky.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Elisa let out a shriek, hugging the quilt tightly. Her body was drenched in cold sweat.


    In the pitch ck stormy night, she couldn¡¯t see five fingers in front of her. When people fall into fear, their minds tend to run wild. She imagined a monster appearing on the ceiling to swallow her up, an arm reaching out from beside the bed to grab her. She didn¡¯t dare move, only hugging her shoulders tighter.


    ¡°Hamish.¡±


    ¡°Hamish.¡±


    ¡°Hamish!¡± She called out his name, her voice going from trembling to hoarse with despair, as if wanting to viciously w this man out of her heart.


    The empty room gave no response, only the muffled rumbling of thunder outside.


    She was like an abandoned person, unwanted, and destined to be forgotten.


    Elisa started weeping again. She couldn¡¯t tell if these were emotional tears or just physical reflex.


    After locking the door, Hamish left North Banbury. His phone dinged with a weather alert-thunderstorms tonight.


    Hamish nced at it briefly before putting his phone back in his pocket. He remembered L was afraid of thunder. As for Elisa, if she dared to defy him, would she be scared of a mere thunderstorm?


    Hamish drove towards L¡¯s ce, but his mind kept involuntarily thinking about Elisa. His whole being felt restless, as if his soul had been snatched away.


    Hamish hated being controlled like this. He gripped the steering wheel tightly. At a stoplight, he couldn¡¯t help pounding the wheel with his fist.


    L¡¯s face was somewhat haggard after just recovering from an illness. When she saw Hamishe in, her eyes lit up in pleasant surprise.


    The originally pale little face regained some liveliness because of Hamish¡¯s arrival. ¡°Hamish, have you eaten yet?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll make us dinner so we can eat together.¡± This house was bought by Hamish for her, and the ingredients in the fridge were also chosen by someone he hired-all high-quality stuff. There was no one in this world who knew this man better than her, and this was one area where Elisa could notpare.


    Hamish nodded silently and returned to the living room. He turned on the TV which was ying the most popr variety show, with constant backgroundughter. But he didn¡¯t feel amused at all.


    He stared at the TV, yet his mind kept involuntarily thinking about Elisa-her tear-reddened eyes, her face as dry and faded as old paper. His heart twinged.


    When leaving the bedroom, he had heard Elisa¡¯s hoarse cries.


    She¡¯d said she was going to die.


    He was supposed to not care, so why did his heart suddenly sting sharply, as if pricked by a needle? That subtle pain spread through his blood, reaching every corner of his body. His brow twitched.


    Hamish pressed his temple where a vein kept pulsing.


    His mood grew increasingly restless. Sitting on the sofa, his toes had already edged toward the front door subconsciously.


    When L came out with the freshly made soup, a pungent smell of smoke hit her nostrils. She looked towards its source and saw the man lying on the sofa, shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal strong, well-defined forearms. His long, slender fingers held a cigarette as he stared down to take a drag, the bluish-white smoke covering his face and obscuring his expression.

 Chapter 12 - Reaping The Rewards Of Others Labor

    Chapter 12 - Reaping The Rewards Of Others'' Labor


    Chapter 12 - Reaping the Rewards of Others'' Labor


    The spacious room suddenly became very quiet, so quiet that L could hear the sound of Hamish flicking off ashes from his cigarette. Little sparks of fire dropped from his fingertips.


    L rarely saw Hamish smoking, or more urately, Hamish rarely smoked in front of her because he was considerate of her poor health.


    A sudden unease rose in L''s heart. She had been quite happy earlier today when she inadvertently saw the text messages on Hamish''s phonest night.


    Elisa was going to divorce Hamish.


    L also knew that Hamish had gone to see Elisa this morning. L had thought he couldn''t wait to get divorced, but judging by his gloomy appearance now, it didn''t seem to be what she had imagined.


    "Hamish, dinner is ready." L tried her best to rouse her spirits and reassured herself not to be afraid. She was the one Hamish had loved for so many years, not that arrogant and domineering Elisa who could snatch him away.


    Brought back to his senses, Hamish put out the cigarette in his hand and came to the dinner table to see the dishes L had prepared.


    In such a short time she had made three dishes and one soup, with meat and vegetables, and the presentation was not bad either. Butpared to Elisa''s cooking, it stillcked something.


    Why did he think of that woman again? Hamish clenched his back mrs, trying to squeeze her image out of his mind.


    L sat across from him, eating small mouthfuls from her bowl, ncing at him from time to time. Several times she moved her lips as if wanting to say something, but ultimately didn''t speak.


    She felt uneasy and afraid in her heart, afraid to ask anything in case the truth waspletely different from what she hoped for. She was afraid of disappointment.


    L was a timid, cowardly woman. Her only ambition in life was focused on Hamish - she wanted Hamish to marry her.


    Today Hamish was distracted, even when eating his mind frequently wandered. L noticed it several times. Finally, unable to restrain herself, she put down her bowl and asked, "Hamish, how did it go with Elisa today when you went back to see her?"


    A man with handsome features, even his hands were exceptionally elegant. Holding his chopsticks, every movement while eating was extremely refined. Upon hearing L''s question, there was a slight pause in Hamish''s actions. "How did what go?"


    L gently bit her lower lip, stammering, "I mean about you divorcing Elisa today."


    As soon as she finished speaking, she felt the man''s gaze turn cold across from her. Her body was as if doused by a bucket of icy water. L couldn''t help but shudder, her eyes filled with timidity.


    Seemingly noticing her fear, Hamish softened his gaze and said, "The divorce is off."


    Was it Elisa who called it off or did Hamish not want the divorce? L preferred to believe it was the former.


    "Hamish, you and Elisa are the real married couple. I''m at most just your mistress. I used to really hate the ''third party'', but I never imagined there would be a day I became the kind of person I hate the most, stealing another woman''s husband and even her blood."


    Hamish didn''t like people who were self-pitying. But with L, he felt guilty and showed her a rare patience he normallycked.


    "Elisa and I signed an agreement. The blood was given voluntarily by her. You don¡¯t need to feel sorry for her."


    With a worried expression, L asked, "Hamish, if my health improves and I no longer need Elisa''s blood, will you divorce her? And does your previous promise to marry me still stand?"


    Facing these questions, Hamish found he could not answer a single one, or rather, he didn¡¯t know how to respond. The emotions he had just suppressed inexplicably rose again.


    Having been with him for so many years, L could discern Hamish''s thoughts with one nce. She concealed the loss in her eyes and spoke words of selffort out loud.


    "Hamish, I just don¡¯t want you to be forced into doing something you¡¯re unwilling to do because of me.¡±


    Hamish abruptly stood up, interrupting her words, "I''m going back to thepany to work overtime these next few days, so I won¡¯t being here."


    "Hamish, Hamish¨C" Before L could get up to chase after him, he had already left the dining room.


    The door mmed loudly. Her heart quivered. For a moment she didn¡¯t know how to react.


    In a daze, L walked to the window watching the figure downstairs. She kept watching until she could no longer see his shadow, still standing in ce.From N?velDrama.Org.


    Why shouldter generations benefit from earlier generations''bor? She would rather chop the tree down than let Elisa take advantage.


    The first thing Hamish did when he returned to thepany was prepare to acquire Powell Group. His assistant Tobias Wilson sent him a record of transfers showing a total of 3 million dors.


    He nced at the amount and asked, "Did he sign all the documents?"


    "Signed," Tobias replied. "Last night we got the Powells drunk. They signed whatever was put in front of them, and even after sobering up they obediently transferred the $3 million over."


    Hamish gave a coldugh. Aside from Elisa, the entire Powell family were fools.


    "Take care of them in three days," Hamish said concisely.


    "Three days? I¡¯m afraid that''s..." Tobias'' face fell, clearly hesitant.


    Hamish silenced him with a look, leaving Tobias to grasp his meaning on his own. Three days it was, then.


    After giving instructions, Hamish returned to his desk. When looking at theputer screen, he habitually put on a pair of blue light sses to protect his eyes. His fingers moved quickly over the keys, the lenses reflecting white light.


    Tobias quietly left the office, sneaking a nce at Hamish before closing the door. A single word echoed in his mind: scumbag.

 Chapter 13 Hamish, I Can Live Without You

    Chapter 13 Hamish, I Can Live Without You


    Elisa was locked in her bedroom for three days. She couldn''t get out and her phone was left outside, so she had no way to contact anyone for help.


    The first day was bearable, but as time went on, her body felt worse and worse. The tap water was unfiltered, and she was so thirsty she had to drink some. When hungry, she chewed up tissues and swallowed them. When in pain, she took antacids and painkillers.


    To maintain her strength, Elisay in bed the whole time. Her cold sweat came and went, soaking her and then drying over and over again. Her face, already pale, now looked nearly the same color as the wall behind her. In the light she almost looked transparent.


    Three days felt endless. Elisa had never felt time pass so slowly, especially at night. Sitting in the dark, it was as if time had stopped.


    Numbly, she closed her eyes. Her whole mind was muddled. As a cancer patient, her body was very weak, and a slight mistake could cause a fever. She felt her forehead - no thermometer, so she could only use her hand. Her temperature had indeed gone up.


    Her eyes were dry and painful, aching whether open or closed. As time passed, Elisa''s mind grew number and number, like a rusted machine.


    The only thing supporting her now were Hamish''s words - as long as she stayed locked up for three days, she could leave.


    But when would that be?


    She nuzzled the nket covering her, curling up tightly into a ball, hugging herself. Strangely, though wrapped in a nket, her body still felt icy cold. Every pore oozed chill. Her toes curled from the cold. Her stomach hurt terribly. Even the organs next to it seemed to cramp in pain, as if infected by the cancer cells and rotting with her stomach. Elisa gritted her teeth, making them creak.


    At this time, Elisa was using all her strength to battle the pain and sickness. What she didn''t know was that outside, the situation had flipped upside down.


    The Powell Group was facing its biggest crisis as shares plummeted. Elisa''s disappearance left the wholepany uneasy.


    Koby had also taken a fall recently. A property development project he had invested in had turned into a coal mine disaster, with the mountain copsing and burying 32 miners alive. 10 were lightly injured, 15 seriously injured, and 7 died.


    Illegal mining plus loss of life meant Koby was either getting sentenced to death or life in prison. Even if he put up the whole Powell Group as coteral, he couldn''t save himself. Locked away for three days, Elisa went from princess of the Powell family to the criminal''s daughter overnight, cursed everyone online.


    In just one day, the incident had fermented until everyone knew about it. Seeing things were just about ready, Hamish decided to go pick up Elisa and watch this good show.


    The court''s sentencing for Koby was scheduled for 10am. He wanted to take Elisa to watch her father''s death sentence with her own eyes. He thought her expression then would definitely be quite interesting. He had said to lock Elisa up for three days, but in the end only went to get her on the fourth day at 7am.


    Hamish was in a good mood, driving with a faint pleased smile at the corners of his mouth.


    Hamish went straight to the bedroom when he got back to the vi. The whole vi was silent, giving the feeling that no one else was here.


    The keys jangled as he looked through them one by one, finally finding the bedroom key at the end.


    He turned it counterclockwise twice, hearing it click open. Pushing the door slowly inward, the room was very dark, with curtains blocking all the windows and firmly shutting out the light. Hamish looked around, finally spotting Elisa curled up in a ball in one corner of the bed.


    He turned on the light. That faint sound made the woman on the bed shudder slightly. Hamish knitted his brows.


    What was Elisa doing? He hade in already, why was there no reaction?


    "Elisa." Hamish walked over and jerked the nket off. Locked up for nearly four days, Elisa''s face was pale and haggard, her lips cyanotic. Her whole being was like a fragile artifact that could shatter from the slightest touch. Hamish had never seen her so weak. His heart inexplicably twisted. Quite painful.


    "Get up, stop pretending to be dead!" His fingers touched her arm. Only then did he realize her body was cold as ice.


    Hamish panicked. Bending down, he picked up the skinny, emaciated Elisa. She weighed even less than three days ago. So this was how much weight she could lose from not eating for three days. Holding her felt like holding a child. Only bones left on her body, even a bit jabbing.


    The light outside was a bit ring. Elisa''sshes fluttered weakly open. Those beautiful eyes were blurred, unable to focus on anything. Lifeless and hollow.


    She had made it through after all.


    Elisa tilted her head slightly to look at Hamish''s chin, his thin lips, nose, eyes, gaze sweeping over him bit by bit.


    The tears she had endured for three days now fell. Hamish noticed and lowered his head. Elisa looked at him tearfully and intently.


    Elisa often gazed at him this way, with endless depths of feeling. Hamish had always found it quite disgusting. But now Elisa''s eyes were like they had lost their light. Inside there was only pitch ck darkness. No matter how Hamish searched, he could not find that hint of feeling.


    Hamish''s heart thudded. Like being struck heavily. Dull painful.


    Elisa was severely dehydrated, and the torment of her illness had taken its toll. Her whole being was like a withered flower, too weak to even speak. She rasped out two words, "Go... where?" Hamish was already carrying her to the parking garage. "To the hospital."


    "I don''t want... hospital." Since young, she disliked going to hospitals. To her, hospitals were where tragedies began. Her mother had died in one. With her illness, going to the hospital would reveal everything to Hamish with one checkup.


    Hamish nced at her coldly. "You don''t want hospital, you want to die?"


    I''m going to die soon anyway, Elisa thought. She coughed a few times, aggravating her stomach. She pressed on it firmly, eyes wet as she trembled out, "Let''s... go to registrar... divorce..."


    "You still want divorce?"


    At this time, Hamish''s face was icy cold as winter. His gaze on Elisa''s face was sinister, like countless knives.


    Elisa had no choice but to face it. She swallowed and moistened her throat, then hoarsely went on steadily, "What else? I don''t need you to live. I can live without you, Hamish. Look, you locked me for four days, but I''m fine, aren''t I?"


    Hamish pressed his lips in a line. He had been standing by the back door, but hearing Elisa, he strode over to the front passenger side in one step. With one arm holding Elisa, his other hand pulled open the car door to put her in.


    "Since you''re fine, thene with me somewhere else." He had intended to take her to the hospital, but it seemed unnecessary now. She was very spirited!


    His actions were rough, disregarding Elisa''s feelings. More like throwing than cing her in. Elisa''s head knocked directly on the steering wheel, ringing loudly. Hamish went around to the driver''s seat. The car door mmed shut thunderously, even making the car shake slightly.


    Curled up on the seat, Elisa seemed to be in pain somewhere, face very pale and expression twisted.


    Hamish leaned over her. Not bothering if she was seated properly, he simply pulled the seatbelt over and belted her in, then stepped on the elerator and took off.


    Elisa didn''t know where Hamish was taking her. The car moved fast, scenery shing by outside. Having grown up in Bankshire, she was very familiar with the city''s roads. Looking at the signs by the roadside. Hamish, was he taking her to the criminal court?


    Where was he taking her and why? Could it be for divorce proceedings? But divorce cases didn''t go straight to court either, how did it involve criminal court?


    Elisa''s mind was muddled. She pondered one thing and then another, until her head hurt without figuring anything out.


    She turned to look out the misty window at the heavy clouds pressing down on the rooftops, as if they could copse at any moment.


    To let Elisa have the strength to watch what would happen next, Hamish stopped the car at a breakfast ce. Without even locking the car, he got out.


    Elisa smiled bitterly.


    With her current physical state, even if she tried to run, she wouldn''t get far. Hamish seemed very confident about handling her.


    Seeing Hamishe back with a cup of porridge, Elisa''s gaze went distant until he said "Eat." and she reacted.


    Elisa reached out to take the porridge. The warmth from the paper cup steadily transmitted into her hand. She lowered her head stiffly to sip a small mouthful through the straw. She had to admit, this was the most delicious porridge she had tasted in her life. So warm and sweet.


    Tears circled in her eyes. Elisa


    sniffed and scolded herself inwardly: Elisa, is this all you''re worth? Have you forgotten how Hamish insulted you? Locked you in the bedroom without a care for four days? How can you be moved?


    But that was Hamish, the Hamish she had liked for sixteen years. She was worth that little - one crepe could buy her true heart, or she wouldn''t have pined for him all these years.


    Her stomach, stuffed full of chewed


    up tissues, was bloated to begin


    with. Now with some porridge, it churned violently inside, as if a stick was twisting around. Elisa suddenly bit the straw hard and retched. Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Hamish, driving, nced at her. "What, not to Miss Powell''s tastes?"


    His tone was fully mocking. Elisa bit her lip and covered her mouth, forcing the vomit that had rushed up her throat back down. Her whole mouth now exuded sourness. She didn''t even dare open her lips, afraid the slightest lip movement would make her throw up.


    It hurt so much.


    Elisa had no choice but to slowly lean back against the seat, eyes closed, lips pressed together.


    The porridge in her hands grew colder and colder. Someone who truly cared for you, when you were nauseous, would ask about your health, not the porridge.


    Elisa held the porridge to her heart. But the now cold porridge could no longer warm her.


    At the court, Hamish parked in the underground parking lot.


    Elisa pushed at the car door, pushing for a while without managing to open it, until Hamish finally came over, opened it, and pulled her hand to get her out.


    "Useless!"


    Elisa pressed her lips together and said nothing.


    At least she had learned better this time. Hamish took the porridge cup she was clutching and casually tossed it in a trash can.


    Elisa''s gaze followed it, then she lowered her head again seemingly unaffected, her long hair hiding her expression.


    She didn''t know what case was being tried today either, but the court entrance was packed with crowds there to watch the spectacle. Over ten police cars were parked out front in an imposing manner. Apart from police cars, Elisa also saw media vans. Her unease grew stronger.


    Elisa''s legs had little strength. Hamish held her waist, seemingly intimate but actually impatient with her slow walking, dragging her forward.


    Some sharper-eyed people recognized Elisa and immediately started pointing and gossiping maliciously.


    Elisa was too far to hear clearly, only catching one sentence.


    "Her own dad''s about to get sentenced to death yet she''s still flirting with a man, shameless!"


    Thest bit of strength left Elisa''s body. She practically slumped limply against Hamish, calves cramping and trembling uncontrobly.


    Stiffly, she raised her head to look at Hamish. The corners of his mouth curved up in a cold mocking smile, his gaze as distant and disdainful as always, indecipherable to her.


    "Why did you bring me here?" Elisa gritted out. Deep down she already vaguely guessed at an oue, but the very thought made her blood run cold.


    "You''ll know once we''re inside, why panic?"


    "I don''t want to go in! Hamish, put me down, I don''t want to go in, I want to go home!"


    Just a moment ago she had seemed at death''s door, but now she struggled desperately, eyes wild with fear. Like a madwoman.


    "Elisa, you''ve guessed already." Hamish firmly circled her waist, walking faster. The smile at the corner of his mouth grew more and more sarcastic. "If you can''t take it now, what will you doter?"

 Chapter 14 Powell Family Is Finished, Elisa Kneels Down

    Chapter 14 Powell family is finished, Elisa kneels down


    Elisa was shocked, her whole body trembling. There was a lump in her throat, like a thorn stuck there that she could neither swallow nor spit out. It was lodged in her throat, choking her.


    In the courtroom, the entire spectator stand was filled with people. Rtives who could never be gathered together were all here today, with various expressions on their faces. Elisa nced hurriedly around and saw only contempt.


    Sitting in the front, Ivan Powell saw Elisae in. His eyes were fierce and resentful. He stood up abruptly and rushed over, raising his hand to p Elisa hard across the face.


    The p was merciless. Elisa''s head jerked to the side, a ringing in her right ear. Her mind was already flying elsewhere.


    "Elisa, where have you been these past four days? How do you still have the nerve toe here! It''s you who harmed Dad! It wasn''t enough for you to kill my mother, now you have to kill my father too!" The sound of the p attracted everyone''s attention. Dozens of eyes stared at Elisa, leaving her with nowhere to hide.


    Elisa felt their gazes piercing her like knives, ready to skin and dismantle her.


    Ivan''s eyes were bloodshot, his face twisted in fury as he roared loudly, "You bitch, trash, cursed star, harbinger of death! Mom never should have given birth to you back then. Even if she did, I should have made Dad drown you alive! Elisa, you''ve stolen everything from me!"


    Each sentence stabbed viciously at Elisa. Her mind went nk, her eyes lost focus, wavering until they finally fixed on Ivan''s vicious face.


    Seeing his hand raised to p her again, Hamish yanked Elisa back by the waist, "Are you going to pay for it if you hit her crooked?"


    Hamish was smiling, a gentle expression normally, but sinister on his face.N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Ivan was a coward who only dared bully Elisa, not brave enough to provoke Hamish.


    He red at Elisa with hatred, as if she wasn''t his sister but his sworn enemy.


    Hamish dragged the dazed Elisa to sit in the front row with good visibility and audio. Elisa clenched her hands tightly, nails digging into her flesh, the pain piercing her heart. She knew this was just the beginning.


    The judges filed in and Koby was escorted in. Seeing Elisa, hope shed through his eyes. Disregarding everything, he shouted, "Elisa, my daughter, you must save me. Dad is wrongly used, I was framed, The judge rapped his gavel sternly. "Silence!"


    The room instantly quieted. Only the sound of the judge flipping through papers could be heard.


    Elisa didn''t know what happened or was said after that. It was as if her soul had left her body. She stared nkly at Koby.


    Was this her father?


    Right?


    But why did she feel so unfamiliar with him?


    Koby kept his head lowered. Even with his buzzcut hair Elisa could see streaks of white mixed in, the wrinkles on his face deeper. Only now did Elisa truly feel that the father she had lived with for 24 years was really old.


    When the verdict came out, Koby broke down crying in the courtroom. Elisa dazedly tugged on Hamish''s sleeve, asking, "What was the trial verdict?"


    "You didn''t hear it?" Hamish suddenly leaned in close to Elisa''s ear, his breath tickling her earlobe. "Your dad''s finished. He''s not only paying money but also with his life, sentenced to death." That can''t be. It can''t be this kind of result. She didn''t believe Hamish, but why was her dad crying?


    "Why? In her four years of marriage to Hamish, what she thought about most was why. Why doesn''t he love her? Why doesn''t hee home to eat the meals she makes? Why doesn''t he remember her anymore?"


    "There are no whys. Hamish leaned back in his chair, an amused look at the corner of his mouth, as if he had just watched a great movie and was extremely satisfied in spirit.


    "Did you have a hand in this matter with my dad?"


    Pretty clever, though not knowing the details she guessed the key point right away.


    Hamish gave a mockingugh. "Did I force him to sign the agreement? Did I make him invest those 3 million? Your dad is not wrongly used at all. The ones wrongly used are the seven dead people. His one life pays for seven lives. He made a profit."


    "Speaking of which, if not for you giving him that 3 million, he wouldn''t have had the ability to sign the contract."


    "All things considered, you indirectly harmed your own father. Your brother wasn''t wrong."


    His voice seemed icy, piercing her ears and freezing her internal organs. Elisa''s eyes grew redder, as if blood would start dripping out.


    Her hands were sped tightly on her knees but she still felt so cold, shivering all over.


    Hamish didn''t seem to notice her agony. He intimately draped an arm over her shoulder, stroking the p mark on her face. "Elisa, you can beg me. I have a little evidence here. It won''t help much but it can let your dad live out the rest of his days well in prison, not be executed in a week. Do you need to consider it?"


    He was coercing her.


    Elisa clenched her teeth, pale faced as she looked at him. She had once fantasized about Hamish treating, her gently, even if it was fake. But she never imagined that this day would make her so disgusted sickening.


    She didn''t believe this matter had nothing to do with Hamish. The documents Koby had originally given her were for property investments, so why did it be coal mines now? Also, Hamish bringing her to court today was clearly just to humiliate her!


    She didn''t understand why Hamish hated her so much.


    Even if she had forced him to marry her back then, she had paid the same price. And now she


    understood and was willing to setet


    him free, she could even give Powell Group to him. But he took advantage of her feelings for him and.


    concessions to throw her into hell over and over!


    Elisa was still the stubborn Elisa. The pride in her bones could not be shattered by just a few words from him.


    Hamish''s eyes darkened. "Looks like you don''t want this chance."


    Koby was taken away dispiritedly. The court staff also gradually left, the huge space filled with noise. But Elisa was deaf to it all.


    Koby was finished. Powell Grouppensating seven lives would be enough to bankrupt the family. Many who worked at or owned shares in Powell Group could not ept this oue.


    They released all their resentment onto Elisa alone, cursing her as useless trash, an inauspicious star that had ruined the entire Powell family.


    Elisa''s disappearance those four days became the reason for the current oue, believing it was all because she did not care for her father and went off dating men instead.


    But what stabbed her most deeply were the vicious words from her brother Ivan. Those harsh curses were like ropes tightening around her heart. Elisa clutched her chest, body hunched over. Hamish did not notice her abnormality. As he dragged Elisa out, they were already surrounded by reporters outside, who immediately rushed up with microphones when they saw Hamish and Elisa emerge. Hamish stood at the entrance and called Tobias to send some men over.


    After hanging up, he nced at the woman beside him and saw her staring fixedly in one direction.


    He followed her gaze to see Koby being escorted into a police car, his back hunched over, looking just like an old dog.


    "You see, it''s only been two days and your dad is already old. Can you really bear to let him die?"


    Moisture clung to Elisa''sshes. She blinked, murmuring to herself, "Then what do you want me to do? She didn''t believe one sentence from her could make Hamish let her dad go. She knew her own limits. Hamish looked at the mass of reporters, falling into contemtion. He wanted to sever everything connected to Elisa piece by piece.


    The first was Powell Group.


    The second was her family.


    The third was her proud dignity.


    Once these were destroyed, spineless Elisa could only rely on others, helpless to survive.


    And everything Hamish did was just to satisfy his warped obsessive desires. He wanted better control over Elisa, so she wouldn''t dare resist him again like before, making a fuss about divorcing him. Hamish suddenly had an idea. He smiled coolly, pointing at the reporters. "If you kneel in front of them for half an hour, I''ll get your dad''s death sentence repealed."


    "As long as I kneel for three hours, you can make my dad live?" Elisa was expressionless.


    Hamish was somewhat taken aback. He had thought after saying this demand, Elisa would throw a fit. After all, the princess of Powell family valued her pride more than anything. Hamish''s smile faded slightly. "Yes."


    "Okay, I''ll kneel."


    Elisa started to walk over but Hamish grabbed her arm to stop her, peering at her with narrowed eyes, hiding the emotion in them.


    "Your dad used you to make money


    yet called you trash, a bitch, and said he should have strangled you at birth. Forsuch scum, even if you save him, he still won''t look at you afterwards. Are you really willing to discard your pride and kneel to save


    him?"


    Elisa looked at the hand gripping her arm, murmuring, "But what can I do? He''s my dad, my family. He held me when I was little..."


    Thinking of this, Elisa pushed Hamish away and walked with straight back towards the crowd.


    The Elisa who used to wear expensive designer dresses had now shed all her splendor. Her slender figure in front of the camera shes gradually became transparent.


    What was pride worth? Could it exchange for a life?


    Her eyes were lifeless, as if swallowed by darkness, losing hope and soul, her will to live destroyed.

 Chapter 15 - Every Chance Meeting Was Her Long Premeditation

    Chapter 15 - Every Chance Meeting Was Her Long Premeditation


    As Elisa walked over alone, the hesitant reporters all rushed forward, shoving microphones in her face and asking sharp, probing questions. Elisa''s petite body was wedged in the crowd. She felt her body being constantly pushed, crowded, pulled and tugged. Her sick and feverish mind was already unfocused, and facing the crowd''s piercing stares and questions, she felt as though she was being torn apart and devoured alive.


    In the chaos, there was a sudden "Bang!" Someone''s camera had collided with Elisa''s forehead, the sharp edge scraping her skin and splitting it open in a small cut.


    Bright red blood trickled down her forehead into her eyes. Her vision filled with red, and the stinging pain forced Elisa to close her eyes. After her eyes had adjusted to the irritation, she opened them again. The reporters in front of her seemed oblivious to her injury. They continued shoving their microphones upward relentlessly. One of them raised a mic and asked an unrted question: "Miss Powell, we heard that Mr. Burns originally had a fiancee four years ago. Was it you who came between them? Is this true?"


    As soon as the reporter finished asking, there were gasps all around. Elisa and Hamish had been married four years but never appeared together in public, so everyone guessed they had a loveless marriage of convenience. But no one expected there to be such a shocking backstory - that Elisa was a third party. And third parties never came to good ends.


    Elisa reached up and wiped the blood from her forehead. Her gaunt little face broke into a dazzling smile at the cameras, the corners of her lips turning upward, though her eyes remained chillingly cold and somewhat crazed.


    All of Elisa''s subtle actions were magnified in front of the reporters. Not speaking was seen as admitting guilt, smiling was seen as mockery and disrespect - she was the epitome of shamelessness. Just as they were about to continue questioning her, Elisa suddenly stood still in an open space and bent her knees, kneeling down. She kept her back ramrod straight, as if nothing could break her. The reporters were taken aback, then immediately stirred into an uproar. The princess of the Powell family, Elisa, had actually knelt down in front of the cameras!


    So all kinds of sensational headlines instantly appeared across major online tforms:


    "#Elisa kneels to win back husband, apologizes to ex-fiancee#"


    "#Elisa kneels to repent for her murderous father#"


    "#The princess of the Powell family turns out to be a third party? Kneels in public begging for forgiveness#"


    The cameras all turned to focus on her, capturing her kneeling image.


    "Miss Powell, now that the Powell Group is facing bankruptcy, will Mr. Burns divorce you?" A reporter asked another sharp question.


    The shbulbs focused on Elisa''s face, trying to capture her subtle expressions. But no matter how long they held on her, Elisa remained expressionless.


    Voices mored around her as Elisa gazed emptily ahead. A sense of loneliness closed in on her from all sides, seeming ready to swallow her whole.


    The dark clouds overhead grew thicker and heavier, as if ready to copse at any moment. After a few muffled rumbles of thunder, the winds picked up and rain poured down in thick drops that hit Elisa''s nose. Her longshes fluttered lightly.


    Seeing the rain, the photographers immediately put away their equipment and the reporters scattered to find shelter, leaving only Elisa still kneeling in ce.


    The downpour drenched her face and soaked her clothes, stering them to her body. She was very cold, as if the chill had seeped through her skin into her bones, even her soul was shivering. Hamish stood not far behind her, watching as she knelt motionless like a puppet in the curtain of rain. By the time Tobias arrived with bodyguards, most of the onlookers had already dispersed. The bodyguards formed a circle around Elisa, shielding her from the crowd.


    Not understanding the situation, Tobias clicked his tongue and asked Hamish beside him, "Why is Miss Powell kneeling? How long has she been like this?"


    "Not long, half an hour."


    Tobias nced over - it seemed Hamish had ordered her to kneel, though the reason was unclear. Since Hamish said half an hour, it would be exactly half an hour, not a second more or less. Tobias looked at the woman kneeling in the middle of the road and suddenly felt a twinge of pity.


    Somehow the victims'' families got word that Elisa was kneeling here, and a group of them came running over in the rain, throwing whatever trash they had prepared at her.


    A green soda can struck directly on the wound on Elisa''s forehead, the yellowish liquid streaming down her blood-smeared face.From N?velDrama.Org.


    After a few seconds of dead silence, a woman''s shrill voice rang out from the crowd.


    "Elisa, your dad deserves to die! And you''re no saint either! Your whole family are locusts! Scum!"


    "That''s right, your dad got in trouble but you disappeared for four days to fool around with your man instead."


    "There''s not a single good person in the Powell family. Koby''s death rid the people of a gue, he ruined so many families."


    "Throw stuff at her shameless face, no one will stop us anyway!"


    In an instant, the mood around them erupted. No matter what people had in hand, they pelted it at Elisa while the bodyguards standing in front of her scowled but didn''t dare to move.


    At this moment Elisa was like a rat crossing the street, despised and under attack from all sides. The dignity on her shoulders was shattering bit by bit.


    Chaos reigned around them. Elisa''s frail body swayed left and right. It hurt so much - her head, stomach, abdomen, knees - no part of her body was without pain.


    Elisa''s eyes remained vacant. Her bluish lips were pressed tightly together. She sniffled, inhaling a breath of icy air into her lungs. Her rigid back slowly bent forward against her control. Hamish''s brows knitted together, his deep dark eyes ck as droplets of ink, hiding his thoughts from view. Beside him, Tobias cautiously asked, "Mr. Burns, do you need help?"


    The rain was pouring down heavily.


    The previously t ground was now


    filled with puddles, raindrops sshing up ripples as they fell. Just looking at Elisa kneeling in it made Tobias feel chilled to the bone.


    Hamish pressed his lips in a thin line without responding. His gaze swept over and he felt like Elisa seemed be crying. He had always been indifferent to her tears, but for some


    1.not


    reason today, his mood matched the


    scattered rain outside.


    Hamish nced at his watch - it had been exactly half an hour, not more nor less. He held out his hand, "Give me the umbre."


    Tobias was startled for a moment before quickly opening the umbre in his hand and passing it over.


    Hamish walked slowly toward the rain, holding the umbre over himself. The downpour beat heavily on the umbre with a pattering sound. His innate aura drew frequent backward nces from passersby.


    He stood in front of Elisa and held the umbre over her. Only now did Elisa react slightly. She looked up and stared intently at Hamish, as if looking past him at someone else.


    The two gazed at each other like this - one standing, one kneeling. She was as lowly as mud while Hamish loomed high above.


    After the rainwater mixed with her tears and grew hot and scalding, Elisa asked hoarsely, "Is... is the time up?"


    "Yes, you can get up now."


    But Elisa didn''t move. It wasn''t that she didn''t want to get up, but that she couldn''t. Her body was already weak, and after being locked up for four days then kneeling in the Keavy rain for half an hour, even she didn''t know how she had endured it.


    The icy chill prated into her knees, as if she was kneeling on a bed of nails digging into her bones. She couldn''t help coughing lightly, almost bringing up blood. "Hamish, how many years have we known each other?"


    Hamish wondered if the cold had damaged Elisa''s brain - why was she suddenly asking this? But still he answered, "Six years."


    Elisa shook her head, muttering inexplicably, "No, not six years. Sixteen years."


    That spring day so long ago, she hadn''t thought much, only wanted to remember him and love him. And so she had loved him for a full sixteen years.


    Whether it was meeting him six years ago, or forcing him to marry her four years ago, it had all been in preparation over the course of a decade. She had nned the beginning perfectly, yet never imagined how cruelly Hamish could end things.

 Chapter 16 - Elisa Was Dying

    Chapter 16 - Elisa Was Dying


    Elisa loved Hamish deeply, carefully keeping him in her heart for sixteen years. This secret was known to no one.


    Elisa looked up and cried out wildly. She suddenly reached out to Hamish, but before she could touch him, the man in front of her recoiled in disgust to avoid her hand.


    Elisa grasped at the empty air, raindrops falling onto her hand, the cold seeping into her heart.


    In that moment, Elisa felt they were so far apart, out of reach. Even if she spent her whole life trying, she could never catch Hamish.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Just like the rain in her hand.


    She looked up at Hamish''s icy face and choked out word by word, "Hamish, I''m in so much pain."


    Hamish only frowned deeply. He didn''t believe Elisa''s words. After all these years, he knew Elisa very well. He knew she was afraid of pain and suffering, but kneeling for half an hour wouldn''t kill anyone. "Elisa, stop pretending. You''re making it seem like you''re dying just from kneeling for half an hour. Don''t worry, your father won''t die. You can stand up now."


    Her body felt pierced all over by needles, pain everywhere, but her heart hurt the most. That piece of flesh seemed to have already rotted away.


    Elisa was still smiling, but her smile was uglier than crying.


    Hamish didn''t understand why Elisa was smiling. For some reason, he hated that smile. It made him feel annoyed.


    "Crazy!" Hamish cursed and reached out to grab Elisa''s arm. Only then did he realize her body was as cold as ice.


    Elisa''sughter stopped abruptly. Her upper body swayed and Hamish couldn''t catch her. He watched helplessly as she copsed sideways into the puddle like a ragged doll.


    Elisa stoppedughing. She didn''t move at all, her whole body limp on the ground, deathly still.


    Her mouth hung open as blood poured from it in spurts, dyeing the puddle under her face a shocking red.


    Hamish''s body stiffened, as if struck by a sledgehammer. His mind spun dizzily, watching the scene before him felt unreal.


    Ultimately, his body reacted faster than his mind. He threw down his umbre and picked Elisa up. Soaked with rain, she didn''t weigh much more than before. Her face was white enough to see the tiny blood vessels underneath.


    "Elisa!" Hamish''s eyes were bloodshot. He didn''t even realize how much his voice was shaking, filled with fear.


    He didn''t dare dy one bit, carrying her ravaged body as if fleeing for their lives and putting her in the car.


    Tobias was observant and took the initiative to be their driver.


    Elisa leaned limply against Hamish, her seaweed-like long hair spread over his chest. Her eyebrows drooped sorrowfully over half-closed eyes.


    She looked deeply at the man holding her. Her eyelids grew heavier but she didn''t dare close them. She was afraid that if she did, she would never open them again. She used herst shreds of willpower to look at Hamish, wanting to engrave hisst image in her heart as she faded away bit by bit.


    "Hamish, do you know... sixteen years ago Elisa really, really liked you. She liked you for sixteen years. Now she... doesn''t have the strength to like you anymore," Elisa said wetly, trembling as she finished. It''s said that interfering with someone''s marriage brings divine retribution. She didn''t believe it before, but now it came.


    But she didn''t do anything terribly wrong. She just liked someone too much for a whole sixteen years.


    She was rambling again. Elisa had told him more than once that they had known each other sixteen years ago, but he had never met her sixteen years ago!


    Elisa''s vision grew blurred as she gradually sank into darkness. She could no longer see Hamish''s troubled expression.


    Her chest suddenly convulsed and another mouthful of blood spurted out, staining Hamish''s shirt red.


    "Elisa, what''s wrong with you?" Hamish anxiously tried to wipe the blood from her face, but the more he wiped, the more blood appeared. Both his hands were stained red but he couldn''t wipe it away. He was drenched in cold sweat, eyes bloodshot. For the first time, he felt how fragile human life was. The Elisa in his arms seemed on the verge of death.


    Elisa, Elisa, Hamish repeated the name in his mind. He didn''t admit he cared about her, just feeling panic because her blood type matched L''s.


    Hamish burst into the hospital carrying the bloodied Elisa, shocking everyone. The doctor at the front desk grabbed the inte asking for help. Nurses immediately brought a gurney. "Emergency room!" The doctor took one look at the dying Elisa and made a decision.


    Hamish was stopped outside the operating room doors, watching them close. His heart mmed against his chest and the inexplicable terror nearly overwhelmed him.


    His hands shook slightly as he


    wanted to push the doors open but


    didn''t dare. Lost, at a loss, anxious and afraid, timid like a child leaving home for the first time, filled with unknown fears.


    The hospital air conditioning was on, cool sts of air. Hamish stared dazedly at the operating lights, the dried blood on his shirt turned dark red from the air conditioning giving off a rusty smell.


    The nurse had never seen such a handsome man in real life. Seeing his poorplexion, she walked over and gently reassured, "Don''t worry, the patient will be fine."


    Hamish seemed not to hear. He lowered his head and looked at the bloodstains on his hands. He brought his hands together, absentmindedly watching the fine blood dust drift from his palms.


    Only now did he notice the blood not just on his hands, but his shirt, pants, arms were also stained with Elisa''s blood.


    How could she have vomited so much blood?


    Hamish suddenly felt cold. Looking up, he saw the air conditioning vent was not far away. No wonder he felt so cold.


    In the operating room.


    Elisay on the operating table, her stomach convulsing ceaselessly. Mouthful after mouthful of bloody fluid poured from her lips, staining the sheets red.


    It hurts so much, Elisa thought, tears streaming down. Her mind was muddled, her body numb from the pain, unable to distinguish if this was real or illusion.


    Many scenes shed before her eyes like a movie - angry Hamish, Hamish hugging her, Hamish calling her name, Hamish pping her, Hamish humiliating her. They turned into bubbles, choking her mind, shattering one by one. Finally merging into thest image.


    It was sixteen-year-old Hamish.


    Elisa could no longer remember what Hamish looked like sixteen years ago, only vaguely recalling the teenage boy was a head taller than


    her. His face had a clean smile his arms were slender but strong enough carrying her to make her feel safe.


    That spring when Elisa was seven, Ivan had abandoned her at an amusement park. Hamish was the one who found her and carried her back.


    On the way, Hamish even bought her a crepe,ughing as he coaxed, "Little Whiner, have a crepe. It''s very sweet, you won''t cry after eating it."


    She took a bite. She was tricked. Sweet outside but so sour inside her teeth nearly fell out. But that was still the most delicious vor she had ever tasted, unforgettable to this day.


    After returning home, she broke out in hives, diagnosed with a bayberry allergy.


    She never touched it again after that.


    She liked Hamish as much as those crepes that made her break out.


    Knowing she shouldn''t touch, yet she recklessly went ahead anyway.


    Sixteen yearster, the once gentle boy had turned so cruel and heartless, as if he were a different person. He was no longer the one who would coax her, this Little Whiner, with crepes. She had struggled for four years, gambling that Hamish would love her, that he would remember sixteen years ago. But in the end, she lost it all, defeated.


    Her naive childhood crush was merely wishful thinking on her part.


    "Not good, blood oxygen saturation is dropping. The patient''s condition is critical!"


    "The patient has advanced stage stomach cancer. Her family must sign the consent forms for emergency surgery and notification of critical condition! Hurry, get Dr. Baker here to operate!" The monitors emitted cold, shrill beeps.

 Chapter 17: ElisaS Late-Stage Stomach Cancer

    Chapter 17: Elisa''s Late-Stage Stomach Cancer


    Outside the operating room, Hamish seemed to sense something. His heart ached with a sudden, dull pain that made him hunch over and grip his chest tightly.


    He stared at the doors to the operating room, feeling like something very important was slipping away from him.


    Just then, the doors opened from inside as a nurse rushed out. Seeing Hamish, she hurried over and asked, "Are you the patient''s family member? The patient is in critical condition. You need to sign a surgery consent form and critical condition notice!"


    Hamish only heard a buzzing in his ears, unable to make out anything clearly. He frowned at the nurse in front of him and stiffly asked, "Are you saying Elisa is dying? How could she be dying!"From N?velDrama.Org.


    It was just a little rain and kneeling for half an hour, not eating for four days, at most some weakness and vomiting blood.


    How could she have gone in and then someone tells him Elisa is dying?


    Seeing his stunned expression, the nurse realized he didn''t know the patient''s condition. She exined concisely, "The patient haste-stage stomach cancer. Her situation is dangerous now. The family must sign the surgery consent and critical condition notice."


    The nurse saw the bloodshot eyes of the man. Suddenly she didn''t know what to say.


    Stomach cancer? Late stage?


    How was that possible? Elisa had never been sick. Her health had always been good. How could she possibly have this illness?


    A woman like her should have brought cmity for thousands of years. Why was someone telling him now that she was dying?


    He must have misheard. He was having delusions for it to be like this.


    Hamish staggered back a step, his knees hitting the chair behind him. He swayed and tumbled down awkwardly.


    He stared at his hands again. He had clearly washed them clean, but he still felt there was so much blood everywhere, the smell of blood filling the air no matter how much he washed.


    The patient''s condition was urgent and couldn''t be dyed. The nurse brought over two consent forms and held them out to Hamish. "Sir."


    Hamish looked at the critical condition notice, his eyes bloodshot. A sharp, immense pain radiated from his heart throughout every corner of his body, even making his fingers tremble.


    He took the papers and pen, looking at the notice. He recognized every character, but together they made no sense.


    The nurse urged him, "Sir, please sign quickly."


    His hand kept shaking. Hamish suddenly clenched his fist and punched the wall behind him. A muffled thud sounded and the nurse jumped, startled. She looked over to see a bloodstain on the wall, indicating the force he had used.


    Hamish took a deep breath, suppressing the pain in his heart. Then he lowered his head and signed his name.


    "Will she be okay?"


    The nurse shook her head. "The patient''s condition is very dangerous. The hospital cannot guarantee she will be alright. We will do our best."


    Hamish handed over the two documents and watched as the nurse walked away. He instantly copsed limply against the cold chair.


    It felt like a piece had been gouged out of his heart, leaving it empty and hollow. An unprecedented feeling of emptiness made him grip his clothes as he hunched over.


    He had never imagined such a scene arising - Elisa fighting for her life inside while the doctors and nurses did emergency surgery, and him unable to do anything.


    Elisa had been by his side for four years, a negligible existence. He didn''t love her, didn''t care about her feelings, and certainly didn''t care about her life and death. But now that Elisa might really never wake up, he was actually terrified and chilled to the bone. It felt like something important had left him.


    Hamish had a dazed look. His vision was blurred. He raised his hand and rubbed his eyes, only then realizing his eyes were wet.


    He suddenly remembered the first time he saw Elisa six years ago. She had worn a red dress, her long hair down to her waist, a faint smile dazzling everyone. She had walked up to him holding crepes. "Hamish, long time no see." Her clear eyes were full of light.


    Since when did she no longer have light in her eyes?


    Hamish took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He had just taken one out and hadn''t lit it yet when a passing janitor pointed to a sign on the wall and reminded him, "Sir, smoking is prohibited in the hospital!"


    He had no choice but to put it back. His hand shook as he gripped the cigarette pack. Looking up at the illuminated red light of the operating room, his heart spasmed even more painfully than before.


    The nurse had gone to call Micah, and soon Micah rushed over. Seeing Hamish sitting outside the operating room, he was startled. "Why are you here? Where''s Elisa?" A bad premonition rose in his heart.


    Hamish looked up, his eyes somewhat empty. "She''s inside."


    So the critical patient he had been called to operate on was Elisa?


    Micah''s expression changed drastically. His already somber face grew even more anxious. Not daring to dy, he rushed straight into the operating room.


    Behind him came Hamish''s questioning, "Micah, did you already know Elisa hadte-stage stomach cancer!"


    Elisa and Micah were close. Having grown up together, if Elisa was sick, Micah as a doctor would not possibly bepletely unaware.


    Micah didn''t answer. As he closed the door, he gave Hamish a cold nce, just one nce, and Hamish was shocked.


    In that moment, he felt like he was breathing not air but millions of steel needles, pierced through the heart. For the first time, he felt what it was like to have a heart-wrenching pain.


    As the operating room door closed again, Hamish''s vision went ck and he almost lost his footing. Clutching his chest, a bloody taste filled his mouth.


    Outside, the sound of rain continued pattering ceaselessly. As the boiling emotions gradually settled, he felt like all the blood in his body had frozen solid, crashing to the ground with the rain.


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