Chapter 4

Alyssa's car was headed toward Acreport Hospital. Online, the buzz about Alyssa's "death countdown" had already gone viral. Comment sections were filled with heated discussions. "Honestly, I think Alyssa's pretty great. She wears her heart on her sleeve. There's nothing wrong with that." "I agree. Tons of women like Howard. As long as she's not the other woman, who she loves is her own business." "Because of her uploaded video and that live stream at a villa with a mountain view, I finally got a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg in the world of the rich. It'll be a pity once she's gone." "Who's Howard's wife anyway? Can't she just let Alyssa have him? Alyssa only has half a year left to live." "Oh, I know her. She is Megan Stafford, a musician. I heard she quit working after marrying into that rich family. She's just a pampered wife now!" … At Acreport Hospital, Megan's phone hadn't stopped buzzing. She kept receiving calls and messages from acquaintances. Some were checking in on her, while others probed her with questions, and some even mocked her. They were all talking about Alyssa and Howard. Megan had just glanced at the news online and learned about Alyssa's countdown, but she didn't bother to read more. It didn't matter anymore anyway. After a month, she and Howard would no longer have anything to do with each other. Time flew by. She checked the clock before looking up, just in time to see Selena walking toward her with a bag in hand. "How are you feeling? Any discomfort?" Selena asked worriedly, helping Megan up when she noticed how pale she looked. Megan shook her head with a smile. Since she had already made her decision, there were some things she simply had to bear. Of course Selena knew what was on Megan's mind, but all she could do was let out a soft sigh and help her into the elevator. With a ding, the elevator opened, and they arrived on the first floor. The hospital was always busy with people, but it felt especially crowded that day. Megan even noticed the presence of the media. "There are so many people, and there are even paparazzi. There must be another celebrity coming for treatment again. This always happens…" Selena muttered, but suddenly her expression changed as if she had seen something. She immediately tried to pull Megan in another direction. But it was too late. Megan had already seen them—two all-too-familiar figures. The tall and striking man exuded authority. Even among the noisy, hectic crowd, his neatly styled hair and tailored suit remained immaculate. The woman was petite and frail, her complexion pale. She clearly looked sick, which only made her look even more pitiful. She seemed to stumble over something, and in the next instant, the man caught her in his arms, shielding her from curious onlookers. The two individuals were none other than Howard and Alyssa. "Don't look! Don't look!" Selena fumed, cursing the shameless pair while trying to block Megan's view. "Let's just go, Lena." Since Megan had already decided to leave Howard, she didn't want him to know why she was at the hospital, nor did she wish to run into them now. "Go? Why should we leave?" Selena got even angrier. "You're technically still married since the divorce isn't finalized yet, so Howard is still your husband. It's disgusting that he's out here publicly acting all intimate with another woman!" Husband… Megan lowered her gaze. Once upon a time, hearing that word would have secretly filled her with joy, but now… Megan changed the subject. "Lena, I don't feel so good. Let's just head back now." As Selena's concern immediately shifted back to Megan's health, she no longer paid attention to the pair not far away. Once Megan was gone, Alyssa's eyes flicked toward her direction among the crowd. A look of triumph crossed her gaze. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess, Howard," Alyssa said, looking apologetic. "I know you hate dealing with the media, but I—" "Don't worry about it. Let's go see the doctor," Howard replied evenly. Even though he said that, for a fleeting moment just now, something seemed to stir in his heart, only to disappear before he could figure out what it was. Together, they entered the consultation room. Alyssa handed over her medical records. The doctor's brow furrowed deeper the more he read. "Your condition is severe," he said. Alyssa forced a small smile. She softly said, "I know." Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Doctor, I'd like you to prescribe me some strong painkillers." "With your current condition, my advice is hospitalization," the doctor said as he studied her medical records. "We should pursue active treatment to see if we can extend your life." Alyssa gave a sorrowful smile. "There's no need for that." She dabbed at the tears welling in her eyes. "I don't want treatment anymore." Beside her, Howard tightened his grip on her hand. Alyssa merely shook her head. "All I want is to live out the rest of my days with dignity. So please just prescribe me some strong painkillers." The doctor let out a long sigh, but in the end, he nodded in understanding. Outside, the media captured everything in photos and live streams. In an instant, the internet was in an uproar. "Oh my goodness. A person's life is about to end right in front of us." "I usually cry over a little bump or bruise—imagine the pain of late-stage cancer. And yet she keeps smiling. She's so strong." "When she said she didn't want treatment anymore, I broke down. Only those who've experienced serious illness themselves or with loved ones will truly understand this feeling." Countless people wept, their sympathy for Alyssa reaching a fever pitch. … Alyssa got her prescription rather quickly. When she and Howard stepped out of the hospital, Megan was sitting on a bench outside, waiting for Selena to bring the car around. Before Megan could even react, sharp-eyed paparazzi spotted her and instantly swarmed, surrounding the three of them. Camera flashes went off one after another. Howard noticed she was there as well. His brow creased, and he asked, "What are you doing here?" Megan rose to her feet, her eyes shifting from Howard to the hand Alyssa had hooked around his arm. Before she could speak, the media questioned her, eager to stir the pot. "Ms. Stafford, did you come here after seeing the online posts so that you can catch them in the act?" "Ms. Stafford, how do you feel about your husband publicly going around with another woman?" "Ms. Stafford, what will you do about Alyssa?" Everyone present assumed Megan had shown up to confront Alyssa head-on. Even Howard thought so. The irritation in Howard's chest flared again. He snapped, "Alyssa is sick. Do you not know that?" His voice carried a hint of warning. Megan felt only bitter irony. So that was what he thought—that she was targeting Alyssa. As if she would even bother! When she didn't speak and the paparazzi turned to Alyssa for comments about being the other woman, Howard yelled, "Megan Stafford!" He wanted her to speak up for Alyssa, to do what she had always done before—obeying his every command. However, Megan no longer wanted to do that. She didn't even want him anymore, so why should she obey him? She instinctively pressed her right hand over her abdomen, the ache in her belly still lingering. "I'm here for a friend." That was all Megan said in the end. They were already in the process of getting a divorce. She didn't want to reveal her pregnancy, nor explain why she was at the hospital. That statement should be enough to answer Howard's question. She turned to leave, but the paparazzi refused to let her go. They kept pressing forward, shoving and blocking her way. "Ms. Stafford, are you aware that many online users are calling for you to give way to Alyssa so that Mr. Larson and Alyssa can be together?" "Ms. Stafford, you know that Alyssa is dying—are you still going to make things difficult for her at a time like this?" "Ms. Stafford…" Megan didn't want to respond to any of it. She only wanted to get away. But with the media determined to capture the three of them together, they refused to let her pass. Howard did nothing to intervene. Suddenly, someone in the crowd shoved Megan hard. As she stumbled, she immediately clutched her belly.