Chapter7

Under the flashbulbs of the medical academic conference, Lucia entered on Eric's arm. Her carefully chosen silk gown perfectly outlined her slightly rounded belly, like a banner of victory. Eric started to raise a hand in greeting toward me, but was stopped by a sharp elbow jab from Lucia. I watched the man I was once intimately bonded to—his skin had a sickly gray pallor, his lips an unnatural bluish-purple. His body beneath the tailored suit seemed like an emptied-out shell. Only the arm Lucia clung to barely maintained the dignity of the Davis family heir. During the tea break, I intercepted Eric by the champagne tower. "Had a full physical lately?" I handed him a glass of sparkling water. "You look terrible." He frowned in confusion. "You came over just to say that?" "Hospital matters can wait," my gaze swept over his trembling fingers. "Your health is what's most important." "Just tired." Eric took a sip of water, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty. "Gianna... is she