Standing before Love

Not knowing what Heather was up to this time, Leon looked at her doubtfully and had a hunch that she was up to no good. Heather didn’t want to continue hiding things from Leon, so she told him the whole story while he stared at her in a daze as he listened to her explanation.

“Heather, I can’t believe you’ll actually do such a thing.” Leon couldn’t understand her at all. Despite the close relationship between Heather and Robert, she shouldn’t use her marriage as a means to fulfill her filial obligations.

“I don’t want Grandpa to die with regrets.” Heather thought about the past. Although she had contributed a lot to the Langstons, what Robert had given her was even more.

The more she thought about it, the more guilty she felt. Robert was already on the brink of death, and yet she hadn’t properly repaid his kindness.

“Heather, since you care for your grandfather so much, why don’t you go and find some renowned doctors? Maybe some of them will be able to save him.” Leon just couldn’t comprehend Heather’s thoughts.

This could be due to cultural differences; just like how Leon couldn’t understand Heather, the same goes for Heather as she couldn’t comprehend Leon’s family values.

“Grandpa’s private doctor is one of the top doctors in the world. I have no idea where to find a more skillful doctor than him,” Heather mumbled in despair.

Robert had always cared a lot about his health. He didn’t mind spending a hefty sum just to hire the most outstanding doctors in the world. He had paid great attention to his health throughout the years but the result was less than satisfactory.

In fact, Heather was aware of Robert’s health condition all this while. To think about it, it wasn’t surprising that his condition was deteriorating. Robert had once said that he had overworked himself when he was young, and hence he was aging rapidly.

“Heather, I believe you’d understand this more than me. Different fields require different specialists. Even if Old Master Langston’s doctor is the top in the world, it’s impossible for him to be a specialist in every single field. There must be other doctors who are more skillful than him in certain aspects,” Leon continued advising Heather. He was actually an optimistic person when it came to certain situations.

Seeing how hard Leon was trying to persuade her, Heather wore a bright smile. She understood that Leon had a point, but she just wanted to try her best at times like these––one would never know if they never tried.

“Are you willing to search for famous doctors with me?” In the past, Heather preferred doing things by herself, but now, she actually enjoyed being accompanied.

“Since I’m always free, of course!” Leon nodded non-stop. He was indeed a dedicated back-burner. In fact, he seemed to be addicted to being a back-burner. He had just given up the opportunity to become Heather’s partner, yet he gladly agreed to all sorts of requests from her.

“Are you planning to leave again?” Leon felt uneasy being stared at by Heather’s sharp eyes. Once again, she had seen through him.

Leon scratched his head. “You know me. I can’t stay at a place for more than 3 months.” This was such a lame excuse that even Leon despised himself inwardly.

“Take the opportunity to go around the world with me then.” Heather found an objective for herself again. Moreover, it was a perfect reason to leave Bradfort City.

Leon nodded. After all, it would be nice to leave Bradfort City at this moment. Whenever he was reminded that his whole family had moved to Bradfort City, he didn’t feel like staying in the city at all.

“But…” Leon still had concerns. He felt guilty whenever he thought of Matthias. Until now, he could remember the last gaze Matthias darted at him, and he thought Heather should at least be more considerate toward Matthias’ feelings.

“What?” Heather looked at Leon in puzzlement as she didn’t understand what he meant. It didn’t sound like a favorable turning point.

“Heather, do you really not plan to give Matthias an explanation?” Leon just couldn’t understand why Heather would want to treat Matthias like this. If he was in Matthias’ shoes, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Looking at Leon, Heather had no idea how to explain to him. Indeed, outsiders might think she was being too much, but she had her own opinions and secrets that she was keen on keeping to herself.

“If it’s true love, the right person will stick to the end.” Heather didn’t wish to explain more to Leon, so she made an ambiguous remark.

Leon was rendered speechless as he stared at Heather. He didn’t want to refute after hearing what she said but he just thought she was overly optimistic.

“Heather, I think there’s no harm to at least drop Matthias some hints,” Leon continued advising Heather kindheartedly. There was nothing he could do with Heather, so he could only persuade her gently from the side.

Heather darted a glance at Leon impatiently. Why does he keep putting in a good word for Matthias as if what he said before this was merely empty talk? Does he really see Matthias as his love rival?

Nevertheless, Leon stopped speaking after seeing Heather’s attitude. He didn’t understand why Heather had to keep seeking trouble for herself. Back then, he had ruined the possibility between him and Heather, so he didn’t hope Heather would do the same for her and Matthias.

“Leon, things between Matthias and I are not as simple as it seems. Not everyone can love freely,” Heather said in resignation.

Robert had long eyed the Locke Family. In fact, he had shown Heather some information regarding the Lockes. Until today, no one knew the motive of Matthias coming to Bradfort City, so Heather didn’t wish to become intimate with her family’s rival. The love story between Romeo and Juliet was lamentable; despite Heather’s affection for Matthias, she had to be concerned about their families’ relationship.

“Heather, freedom is self-given. It’s not offered by others or the environment.” Leon still thought Heather wasn’t courageous enough and hoped to break her out of her bubble.

However, Heather simply lay on the bed because Leon was starting to nag a lot and she didn’t want to listen to his lectures. Everyone understood the principles, but how many could actually work it out? Currently, Heather only wished to find a way to cure Robert.

It’s about time for Heather’s body examination, Leon took a look at the time and thought to himself. The service in the hospital was pretty decent as a houseman had come to remind them about the examinations before it was time.

“Professor Mason asked me to escort you to the examination room.” Looking youthful and vigorous, the houseman seemed to be in his twenties. He took glances at Heather from time to time but was too shy to look at Leon because he was so handsome that other men would feel embarrassed in front of him.

The examination procedure was much easier with the houseman’s assistance. Heather was vexed when she saw the long queue outside the examination room. But of course, she could skip the queue; that was exactly why the houseman escorted them here. Although she had cut the queue, the other patients didn’t complain after seeing her and Leon.

A good-looking appearance was surely advantageous to one. Leon stayed beside Heather while she was doing her check-ups. Initially, the doctor wanted to ask Leon to leave the room, but he felt embarrassed to speak up after seeing Leon’s appearance.

Besides, Heather didn’t mind it, so the doctor in charge of the examination bit his tongue. It didn’t take long to complete a few examinations. After the examination, Heather walked side by side with Leon as if she had already recovered.

“I bet Matthias exhorted them to carry out these many examinations,” Heather complained softly to Leon. She didn’t even feel like being cooperative anymore.

“Even if it’s true, Matthias did so for your own good, Heather. It has been some time since you did a full body checkup,” Leon said. On the other hand, Heather was dumbfounded at how he firmly sided with Matthias.

“Why do you keep sticking up for Matthias? You must be fond of him instead of me,” Heather humphed crabbily. Even his gaze changed when he spoke of Matthias.

Heather just couldn’t understand why Leon would treat Matthias that way. They were love rivals, yet Leon got along with Matthias well. To think about it, Matthias didn’t treat Leon the same way. His courtesy was tinged with hostility.

“You better not doubt my sexual orientation, Heather,” Leon quickly defended himself. He knew Heather was suspecting that he was bisexual.

“Am I wrong?” Heather had once seen Leon being intimate with another guy. At that time, she wasn’t able to accept it, but nowadays, bisexuality was rather common.

“The incident last time is really a misunderstanding. Please stop imagining things. I’m only interested in women,” Leon said in a serious manner while wondering if Heather was actually listening to his explanation.

“Bisexuals are quite common, so you don’t have to feel embarrassed about your sexual orientation. I think everyone’s sexual orientation should be respected,” Heather said justly.

The houseman who was walking in front of them was shocked upon hearing their conversation as if he had discovered an incredible secret.

“Heather, do you think I’m the kind of person who would feel embarrassed about it? It was a misunderstanding from the start, but you keep forcing me to admit it. How am I supposed to do so?” Leon had to emphasize this matter again. Maybe some of his behaviors after that day had made Heather misunderstood him even more.

“I thought what you said the other day was your declaration of being bisexual.” Recalling Leon’s ambiguous statement at that time, Heather thought he was specifically admitting that love was not about nationality, gender, and age.

“Oh dear, please stop right there. I was hinting that I have a crush on you. You’re overthinking!” Leon even had an impulse to strangle Heather. What was even worse, there was an outsider walking in front of them.

“Fine,” Heather said sulkily. Initially, she wanted to tease Leon but did not expect that he would be so serious about this matter. As such, she didn’t think it was appropriate to continue teasing him on this matter anymore.

Nevertheless, Heather was very surprised at Leon’s response. She had indeed thought that Leon was bisexual, but now it seemed like he was genuinely straight and she had misunderstood him.

“How many more examinations are there?” Leon asked the houseman who was leading them as he had already accompanied Heather for several check-ups today.

“There are only two left and we’ll be done soon.” The houseman looked shy like a young boy and had not turned around at all throughout the journey.

Meanwhile, Heather was relieved hearing that. She had taken a blood test early in the morning and didn’t have an appetite during breakfast, so she was very tired. It was draining to undergo these examinations, and she only wished to lie in bed for some rest at this moment.

“What’s your plan after getting discharged, Heather?” Leon asked all of a sudden. He wondered if she had any since the examination results would soon be released.

“I don’t feel like going back to the Langston Residence. Why don’t you take me in for a few days?” Heather felt it was meaningless to go home because Robert wouldn’t allow her to see him, so she’d rather wander outside.

Leon gladly agreed. He was extremely bored staying alone in the huge mansion, so he was delighted at the thought of having Heather accompany him.