Love's Bitter Edge (Eva and Leonard)

Despite her usual smug attitude, Mackenzie didn't slack off this time. When tasks were assigned for the Gray Realty project, she didn't resist and even took diligent notes.

Securing this project required the entire team's effort. I was glad to see everyone working seriously, even if it meant working overtime.

Though overtime wasn't popular in Erewhon, the promise of a big bonus had everyone pushing through.

As we wrapped up for the day, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.

Astrid rushed to steady me. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, but my vision blurred, and dark spots swam before my eyes. Panic crept in. It had been a long time since I had experienced such severe side effects from chemotherapy. My last chemotherapy session had left me feeling off, but I thought I had recovered. Was something wrong again?

Clutching Astrid's hand, I forced myself to speak, "Take me to the hospital."

Astrid didn't ask questions and quickly helped me into a car. But on the way there, I blacked out completely.

...

When I woke up, Andrew's bearded face loomed over me. His familiar gruff expression was both comforting and exasperating.

"Awake? Julian was right. You're a terrible patient."

"Three surgeries for cancer, and you're still pulling overtime? Trying to meet God, are you?"

I chuckled weakly. "No thanks. I'd rather meet the Grim Reaper. At least I'd feel more at home."

He rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "I don't care who you want to meet, but you're done with overtime. Your body's weak, and you need to take care of yourself. Two days in the hospital for observation. That's the minimum. If things don't improve, you'll stay here longer and stop working."

I opened my mouth to protest, thinking of the Gray Realty project, but Andrew pulled out his trump card. "If you don't listen, I'll call Julian."

Defeated, I nodded and agreed to stay. It was the weekend, so at least I wouldn't need to take time off work. With my laptop on the bedside table, I could still review design files in peace.

Astrid had been adamant about informing Jack, but I managed to talk her out of it. Something major had clearly come up with the project in Manovia. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left so abruptly.

Ultimately, she reluctantly backed down but insisted on staying by my side. She even moved into my hospital ward, officially becoming my caregiver.

By day, she wheeled me around for tests and occasionally took me to the hospital garden to enjoy the sun.

"Astrid, I just fainted. I'm not on death's door. Why the wheelchair?"

"Because I want to try it out," she said with a grin, fiddling with the buttons. "Electric wheelchairs are surprisingly fun."

I sighed, shaking my head at her antics.

...

"Eva? Ms. Green?"

The sudden voice made both of us

tense. Turning around, I saw a vaguely familiar face. I couldn't place her for a moment, but she seemed to recognize me

immediately.

"It really is you, Ms. Green! I almost didn't believe it."

The woman, who appeared to be in her 40s, approached with a warm smile. "Are you recovering from another surgery? Did the cancer relapse?"

"Ah, sorry! That was rude of me to ask. But wait... I remember reading in the news that you were... Aren't you supposed to be dead?"

As she got closer, her face finally

clicked in my memory. She had been a fellow patient during my second round of chemotherapy. We had crossed paths several times in the hospital back then.

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Astrid subtly moved the wheelchair back and spoke in Aelish, her tone calm but firm, "Excuse me, ma'am. Is there something we can help you with?"

I glanced at the woman curiously, wondering why she was here.

She looked me over, her brows furrowing together. "You're not Eva? Sorry, do you speak Pyrosian?"