?<strong>Chapter 907:</strong>


    “The machine is fine, but Gemma’s immune system is deteriorating rapidly. She’s been sick almost every day,” he said, his voice heavy with sorrow. “She can’t leave the house, confined to one room, with doctors constantly at her side.”


    Alicia’s heart ached. Gemma had always been protected by Corey. She was gentle, kind, and innocent. During the past two years, Gemma often broughtfort to Alicia. Gemma was talented in cooking, baking, art, and music. If not for her illness, she would have been exceptional.


    Alicia asked, “What do the doctors say?”


    “Slow recovery,” Corey replied, tapping ash from his cigarette, his expressionden with worry. “The best they’re hoping for is that she remains in a semivegetative state, barely able to care for herself.”


    Alicia felt a pang of sadness. “Is that the best or the worst?”


    Alicia hoped Corey had simply misspoken, but his silent, bitter smile confirmed her fears.


    They both sat in silence until a message notification broke the quiet. Alicia inhaled deeply and checked her phone. It was a message from Caden: “You’re not at the apartment. Did you go back? I’ming over.” The message was dyed, sent ten minutes ago. Feeling a pang of sympathy for Gemma, Alicia typed, “I’ve already had dinner. Don’te over.” Caden did not respond.


    Alicia turned to Corey. “Think of another way to help with Gemma’s situation. I’ll travel to Xada in a few days to see her. I need to eat soon, so I won’t keep you.”


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    Corey sat motionless. “Can’t you have dinner with me?”


    “I’m not interested.”


    “Not interested, or afraid Caden will find out?” Corey challenged. “During those two years in Xada, Caden must have suspected us being together. You’re keeping your distance now because you’re afraid of his misunderstanding, right? Do you really care about him that much?”


    Reflecting on all the turmoil Corey had caused over the years—and how undeserving Gemma was of it—Alicia retorted, “If you had focused on doing good for Gemma, maybe her condition would have been better by now.”


    Corey scoffed. “I don’t buy into that whole divine intervention thing.”


    Deciding not to engage further, Alicia signaled her bodyguard to escort Corey out. Just two minutester, someone knocked on the door.


    Corey reclined on the sofa, unperturbed. “Your bodyguards are quick, but not necessarily a match for me.”


    Alicia found it odd. How could her bodyguards arrive so quickly? She nced at the video screen and saw Caden standing outside. Her mind nked for a moment. Hadn’t she told him not toe? Why did he still show up?


    Another thought shed through Alicia’s mind: Corey would undoubtedly cause a scene if he saw Caden. And why was Caden knocking? Since when had he be so courteous? With these questions swirling in her head, she switched off the inte. She looked back at Corey, wondering how best to handle the situation.


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