Day Sixty-Six…
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[ At Zhou's Hospital… ]
Nathan looked so troubled. He didn't know what to feel anymore. He was having complicated emotions right now. He still couldn't believe that Jane was going to die due to natural causes.
His mind couldn't think straight. He was distracted by Jane's situation. He thought he would be glad to kill her. But now, he already had a change of heart.
His desire to kill her already disappeared a long time ago. That was he accepted the fact that Jane was Shining Star. However, Nathan failed to show it through his actions. He kept acting so cold in front of Jane. And now, he started to regret it.
He turned to leave as he could no longer watch Stephen. His best friend, Stephen, was showing his affection toward Jane. And he couldn't stand it.
Nathan was walking in the hallway when he bumped into Ethan and Cherry.
"Dad, where are you going? Who is with Miss Jane?" Ethan asked his father as he blocked his way.
"Your Uncle Stephen is inside," He shortly responded.
"I'm going to leave for a moment," Nathan added.
Cherry just nodded her head at Nathan. Meanwhile, Ethan grabbed his father's hand. He could feel that his father was troubled by something. He could see through his expression alone.
"Did something wrong happen?" He asked his father worriedly. "Have you talked to Miss Jane's doctor? What did he say?"
Nathan was rendered speechless for a moment. He couldn't tell Ethan that Jane had a brain tumor and was dying. He was aware that Ethan was fond of Jane.
'I should talk to Stephen. He should hide Jane's health condition from Ethan.' Nathan made a mental note.
"Dad, I'm talking to you." Ethan tugged his hand.
"It's nothing serious. They haven't found the reason why she is not waking up. But her examination results are all normal." Nathan said partly true and partly a lie.
Ethan just bobbed his head. He wasn't worried because Bam-Bam guaranteed that Jane would wake up after seven days.
"Okay, Dad." Ethan turned to Cherry. "Let's go, Miss Cherry."
Instead of leaving the hospital, Nathan followed Ethan and Cherry. He wanted to make sure that Stephen wouldn't mention anything related to Jane's health.
When they went back to Jane's ward, they saw Stephen still holding her hand. He already wiped his tears. To their surprise, Stephen leaned down and he planted a soft kiss on Jane's forehead.
Nathan's expression turned dark when he witnessed this scene while Cherry and Ethan were baffled.
Stephen was no longer restraining himself anymore, thinking that Jane might disappear any time. He made up his mind. He would no longer stop himself from loving her.
"Once you wake up, I'll confess my feelings to you," Stephen said, not noticing the other people's presence.
After knowing that Jane was dying, Stephen realized that he couldn't hide his feelings forever. It was his driving force to acknowledge that he was in love with her.
'Oh no! I gave her this illness to warn Nathan and make him acknowledge his feelings for Jane. But it looks like Stephen is the one who finally admitted his love for her.' Bam-Bam scratched his head problematically. He had been watching Stephen for a while now.
Then Bam-Bam looked daggers at Nathan. 'How about this guy? When is he going to realize Jane's importance in his life? Doesn't he feel anything for her?' Bam-Bam shook his head helplessly.
Meanwhile, Nathan reflexively clenched his fists. He didn't know why he was annoyed with himself. He felt like Stephen was one step ahead of him now.
"Uncle Steph," Ethan's tiny voice was heard, catching Stephen's attention. The young boy was having conflicting thoughts right now. He was glad to know that his Uncle Stephen was cherishing Jane. However, part of him was still hoping that Jane and his father could be together in the end.
But at the same time, Ethan would feel sorry for his Uncle Stephen. If Jane ended up with his father, then Stephen would be hurt. His Uncle Stephen was a good man… and a perfect gentleman. He deserved to be loved by someone as well.
"Ethan," Stephen called him back, smiling at him faintly. Then he shifted his gaze from Ethan to Nathan and Cherry. He felt a little bit embarrassed. He didn't know that they were already there.
"Uncle Steph, did you cry?" Ethan asked him worriedly. The young boy noticed Stephen's swollen red eyes.
Nathan and Stephen exchanged meaningful glances with one another before Stephen responded to Ethan's query.
"No. I think some dust got into my eyes, causing me to look teary-eyed," Stephen said an alibi.
"You should wash and clean your eyes first, Uncle before it gets irritated," Ethan suggested.
Stephen walked closer to Ethan and stroked his hair. "Thank you, Ethan. Since you are back, can you please look after Jane on my behalf?"
Little Ethan nodded his head frantically. "No need to ask me that, Uncle. I'm here to take good care of her until she wakes up."
"I feel relieved now," Stephen said.
Then Nathan gave him a signal, telling him to talk to him outside. The two men said goodbye to Ethan and Cherry as they headed to the rooftop. That was the only place in the hospital wherein they could talk privately, without worrying about other people overhearing their conversation.
Upon reaching the rooftop, Nathan confronted Stephen. "Are you sure about your decision? You will confess your feelings for her? For a dying woman?"
Stephen bobbed his head in response. "I can see nothing wrong with that. I should have done that before. Now, I regret wasting my time just watching her from afar."
Nathan clenched his fists. Stephen's words were like daggers hitting his heart. He was the one who treated Jane ruthlessly and coldly. He was the one who wasted his time by hating Jane and blaming her.
Was it too late to start over with her? Nathan could see the determination in Stephen's eyes. For some unknown reason, Nathan envied him. He was jealous of his best friend.
"Can I have your support, Nate?" Stephen faced Nathan, looking straight into his eyes.
Nathan was tongue-tied. He didn't know what to say.
Stephen held his shoulders and said, "I think this is now the time you should forgive Jane. Let go of your grievances toward her."
Nathan remained silent.
"Nate, can I ask you for a favor this time? As your best friend?"
Nathan just looked at him, waiting for his next words.
"Can you please stop fighting and hating her? I want her to live peacefully once she wakes up. But don't get me wrong. I'm not yet giving up on her. I'll find a way for her to prolong her life. She must survive!"
"I love her, Nate. I truly love her. This time I want to make her happy and live a simple life. The life she always wanted." Stephen could still recall when Jane told him about her simple dream. At that time, she felt so exhausted and depressed about what she had gone through.
Stephen asked her if given a chance to go back in time what she wanted to be. And Stephen got that simple but meaningful response from her. She wanted to start over.
Nathan looked away but he nodded his head in response to Stephen. "I'll try my best not to interfere. Just do what you need to do and I will do what I must do." He didn't promise anything to Stephen but the way he said those words seemed like Nathan was already giving him permission.
Stephen was his best friend. And he thought he could take good care of Jane better than him. He could no longer bring back the past. His relationship with Jane was very complicated.
From being friends to mortal nemesis… he thought he could no longer go back to what they used to be. Both of them already hurt each other. It seemed that they kept hurting each other.
With a solemn look in his eyes, Nathan turned around to leave. He didn't have anything more to say to Stephen.
On the other hand, Stephen watched Nathan's back with a grateful look. He could feel that Nathan accepted his decision.
'Thanks, Nate.'
The reason why Stephen asked for his support was because Jane was once Nathan's friend, Shining Star. Getting his permission was enough to give him more courage to confess his feelings for Jane.
But unknown for both men, what Jane needed the most at this moment was Nathan's love and affection. This was the only way that could help Jane survive.
Unfortunately, Nathan was still clueless. He kept committing mistakes and making wrong decisions when it came to Jane.
Meanwhile, back to Jane's ward, an emergency happened. Jane's body began to convulse causing Ethan and Cherry to panic. Her pulse also dropped and the beeping sound of the monitor resounded in the entire room.
Beep! Beep!
"Miss Cherry! Something is wrong with Mom. Please call the doctor!" Ethan was holding Jane's hands.
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