âI feel it, you know? Mr. Lopez and Ms. Sanchez are truly in love.â Quincy was aware that affection
could not vanquish the reality. But their love was so fierce, and their willingness to sacrifice for each
other was rare indeed. It moved even Quincy.
âLoveâs easy to claim, but it doesnât stand a chance against the unforeseeable life ahead!â Jonathan
had more to say, but a glance at Quincy made him hold back. His stance, however, remained firm.
âAnyway, I wonât approve.â
Dorothy returned from Karenâs and was surprised to find Everett already propped up in his hospital
bed!
Her face lit up with joy. âDid Dr. Quincy take you off the monitors in advance? Does this mean youâre
recovering well?â
Everettâs handsome features tightened. He wanted to nod but didnât, and deftly changed the subject.
âI feel like I could get up and walk around.â
âYou canât do that! Not until Dr. Quincy says so.â Dorothy approached Everettâs bed to wipe him down
with a towel. That was when she noticed something was wrong. âYour bandages they look freshly
changed. Are you bleeding again?â
âDr. Quincy changed them. Maybe it was needed after removing the equipment.â he said vaguely.
Luckily Dorothy didnât dwell on the details as her thoughts preoccupied by his apparent improvement.
âEverett, just focus on healing. I canât bear feeling guilty about you anymore.â
She was earnest, looking straight into Everettâs eyes. His love was a burden she couldnât shake,
weighing on her day and night.
âI donât want your guilt.â Everett said with more severity and sincerity in his eyes. âYou know what I
want. Dorothy, you agreed to my fatherâs terms, didnât you?â
Stunned, Dorothy looked at him. âHe told you?â
âI knew it⦠I knew theyâd bully you!â
In his last conscious moments before succumbing to blood loss, Everettâs mind was filled with the
thought of what might happen to Dorothy if he died or remained comatose. The Lopezes would surely
pressure her or even worse.
But ultimately, his body gave in, and he closed his eyes full of worry and unease.
âCalm down.â Dorothy forced a smile on her face to spare him any selfâreproach. âI agreed to their
terms because, first, the Lopez family can provide a better future for the kids, and second, so that I
could see you. Itâs a winâwin, really.â
âI donât believe youâd give up the kids that easily.â Everett didnât believe a word she was saying.
Dorothy felt transparent and unable to hide anything in front of Everett.
âItâs hard. But as parents, we should plan for the best future of our children. Iâm thinking longâterm.â
âAbigail and Langston may still have a good life with bright future without my dad! Their dad is not dead
yet.â
As long as Everett was around, he wouldnât let his kids suffer.
âThere you go, making a fuss over nothing.â Dorothy tried to deflect, not daring to confront him further.
âYou rest a bit. Iâll go see Dr. Quincy about getting some ointment for your leg.â
She left the room without waiting for Everettâs consent.
Approaching Quincyâs office in her wheelchair, she overheard a voice that sounded like Jonathan.
âQuincy, if you could just be our daughterâinâlawâ¦â
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