Chapter 20

The medical personnel exchanged looks, not daring to do anything. One started, "Mr. Yarrow, you—" "I owe Noelle this. I need to pay her back," Hector said firmly. Noelle watched as a thick needle was inserted into his vein. The blood soon started filling a blood bag, and the sight frightened her. Her fingers trembled, and she almost stopped breathing. She fell back against the door and collapsed on the floor, crying, "Stop! Hector, stop this!" He smiled gently. "Noelle, I owe you and Ian this. I promised I'd pay you back. I love you, Noelle. Can you love me again?" His gaze became unfocused as his blood trickled into the blood bag. Everyone else's figures turned hazy, but he could still see Noelle clearly. She was the only thing he could focus on—he saw her tears of fright. Hector passed out and slumped on the blood-drawing chair. Noelle shrank back against the door, suddenly realizing that Hector's love, which she'd desired in the past, now meant nothing to her. … Hector had a