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    "Mr. Salvador?!"


    Justin snapped out of his daze, slowly turning his gaze. He looked at Steven indifferently, his


    voice low and hoarse, like someone who had not drank water in a long time. "How is Ms. Thompson?"


    Steven stared at the man in front of him, suddenly overwhelmed byplex emotions. His throat felt constricted. "Ms. Be... She''s sick. Seriously sick. You should see her. She''ll be happy to see you. Maybe she''ll even get better."


    He hurriedly opened the door for Justin.


    Justin''s lips pressed into a thin line. His long, slender fingers clenched, and he slowly stepped into the room.


    His appearance stirred a wave of emotion in Asher and Ralph, but they managed to keep their expressions under control and found an excuse to leave the room.


    Soon, only Be and Justin remained in the room.


    Once, they had been sweet, intimate, and blissfully happy lovers. Now, as their eyes met, there were no words exchanged between the couple. A heavy silence filled the room with indescribable loneliness, destion, and sorrow.


    "I heard that you coughed up blood." Justin stood by the bed like a wooden stake, not even bothering to sit down, distant as if he were a guest. "I remember you had stomach issues, but it hasn''t red up in a long time. What caused it this time?"


    Be felt a sting in her nose, but she held back the feeling, forcing a faint, bitter smile.


    She had a stomach condition, and it wasn''t mild. In fact, it used to re up often, but it hadn''t in a long time because she had lived with him.


    Justin had taken great care of her every day, putting in the effort to learn how to make nutritional meals to supplement her health. He tirelessly prepared nourishing dishes that suited her taste. He watched over her like a child, making sure she did not sneak cold drinks or indulge in anything harmful. That was why she had not had a re-up in years.


    But since he left, her heart had been in chaos, and so had her life.


    He had spoiled her.


    Her mental and life skills had regressed, turning her into a girl who could no longer take care of herself.


    But she knew no one could stay a child forever.


    She had to grow up again.


    "How did you find out I was sick?" Be''s longshes trembled slightly as she gently asked.


    Justin answered frankly, "Dr. Larson told me."


    "Oh, Arnold." She forced a smile. "I''m fine now, much better."


    "That''s good."


    Then, another long silence followed.


    "Mr. Salvador..."Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    "Ms. Thompson."


    As if in sync, they spoke at the same time.


    Be chuckled awkwardly. "You go first."


    "Ms. Thompson, if this was just a sudden stomach illness, I wish you good health in the future. Take better care of yourself. But if you''ve ended up like this because of me, I hope you''ll stop this foolish, self-destructive behavior."


    Justin''s cold, sharp eyes flickered with a trace of unfathomable emotion. "Let''s be clear. Whatever you do, it won''t change anything between us. Even if you are pursuing someone, using such an extreme method will only backfire and make me feel repulsed."