What Separates Me and You

The doctor glanced at Lewis' murderous stares, gulped, and anxiously spoke. "W-What I meant was Mrs. Alvarez isn't doing great. She's lost a lot of blood. Most of her body is showing signs of—" Lewis' gaze sharpened as he let go of the doctor. He even smoothed out the doctor's collar. "Signs of what? She's still alive, isn't she?"

He had put his mind through hell to think of that somewhat tolerable phrase to describe Josephine's situation. Alas, the truth was way worse than that.

The doctor wiped off the sweat on his forehead. "Y-Yes, she is."

Conrad had also sighed in relief. He was terrified the doctor would describe Josephine's condition as severe. If that were the case, blood would have spilled on the floors tonight.

Josephine was transferred to a regular ward for a blood transfusion. Because she had lost too much blood, they were unlikely to save her life even after another half a night of blood transfusions. Meanwhile, Yannis tracked down Josephine's attending doctor and asked the latter about her situation. "Doctor, how's Mrs. Alvarez doing?"

The doctor glanced at him from head to toe. "And you are?"

"I'm their family doctor, so I know her overall health. Please tell me what's going on."

"Why are you asking me if you're already aware?" was the doctor's reply.

Yannis' brows furrowed in slight embarrassment. "To be honest, I knew everything about her health before, but I'm having trouble reading her pulse these days."

The doctor's brows knitted in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I told you. I can't find her pulse. That's why I'm asking you what you've found out about her condition."

"Really? I didn't think that was possible." The doctor suddenly recalled something, then added, "But, to be honest, this patient isn't doing great right now. Even the medical tests we ran indicate her numbers are dropping drastically. Not to mention, she doesn't have a strong will to live. I just think—"

That was when the doctor recalled how Lewis had behaved earlier and decided not to finish his words.

Yannis grabbed the former's arm and said, "Don't worry. Nobody's here, and I won't tell Mr. Alvarez. Please answer me so I can prepare for the worst. How much longer does she have?"

He needed to plan his escape before things worsened. After all, he would unquestionably be the first to suffer if Josephine died.

The doctor furrowed his brows and then raised a finger.

"One year? That's great. I actually predicted that much previously," Yannis mumbled while secretly sighing in his heart. He felt there was a chance of extending Josephine's life by seven or eight years. Her health could slowly improve if she managed her emotions, cooperatively accepted treatment, and maintained positive emotions for a year.

As for what would happen after her eight years were up, Yannis believed medical advances were constantly improving. There was no telling what would happen. However, if Josephine's desire to die didn't subside, her life could only go on for another year.

The doctor gave the former a side-eye before saying, "I meant one month."

Yannis was silent but later thundered, "One month? Are you kidding me?"

"You understand numerical data, right? Come with me, and you can see her complete health test results. When I say she has a month, I mean it as a conservative guess."

They murmured to each other as they made their way to the doctor's office.

Once Yannis finished reading the reports, he felt now was the best chance to flee.

Josephine was still unconscious in the ward.

Lewis sat beside her and looked down at her. Yet, his mind was elsewhere. The hospital's bright lights made him look washed out and lifeless.

A complicated expression shrouded Conrad's face as he stood aside. At that moment, he couldn't see the lively and driven Lewis he used to see.

Lewis used to be untouchable. He climbed several treacherous steps to become the pinnacle of all humans. Sadly, he fell from that high point overnight.

Conrad felt this version of Lewis was no different from an ordinary man. Lewis had shown the emotional turmoil of a regular person. It seemed to Conrad that even people from elite social classes behaved the same as ordinary folks when sad.

Still, Conrad dared not say anything and only left the room.

Conrad returned early the next day with breakfast to visit Lewis, who remained seated in the same position while staring at Josephine.

As for Josephine, her face had paled so much that it was almost transparent. If not for her chest's slight rising and falling, she would be no different from a corpse.

"Have some food, Chairman Alvarez," Conrad said quietly.

Lewis didn't move, nor did he respond to the former.

With a sigh, Conrad placed the breakfast on the bedside table. "I'm leaving this here. Please eat some later. Your wound hasn't healed, so you need to rest too."

Since Lewis still didn't respond, Conrad had no choice but to leave. He had just stepped outside when Yannis approached.

"How is it? Has Mrs. Alvarez awoken?" Yannis asked.

"I don't think that will happen anytime soon, right?" Conrad shook his head. In truth, he was conflicted about how to feel. He knew Josephine would be miserable if she awoke, yet her remaining unconscious would leave Lewis suffering. Either way, someone had to suffer.

The two were just chatting when Nancy arrived with a butler.

Conrad's complexion instantly paled. "Madam Nancy, why have you come here?"

"I've come to look for Lewis. I heard he came to the hospital. What's wrong? Is something wrong with his health again?"

"No, Madam Nancy," Conrad explained, "It's Mrs. Alvarez-"

Nancy's face turned stormy once she heard that. Her hatred flickered in her eyes as she snarled, "Her again?"

She was about to enter the ward when Conrad stopped her. "It's best if you don't go in, Madam Nancy. Mr. Alvarez isn't in a good mood."

"He's not in a good mood? Well, that gives me, his mother, even more reason to see him. Move."

Conrad refused to budge.

A frown marred Nancy's face. "Are you rebelling against me, Conrad?"

"I'm doing this for your good, Madam Alvarez."

"Get out of my way!" Nancy didn't want to waste her breath on Conrad, so she shoved him aside and entered the ward.

That was when Lewis' gaze left Josephine and shifted toward the door.

"What's up with her, Lewis?"

Lewis retracted his gaze. He uttered two words, "Get out."

At once, rage burbled in Nancy. "What is the meaning of this? I rushed over when I heard you came to the hospital, and this is how you speak to me?"

"I told you to get out!" Lewis suddenly boomed, which made Nancy freeze. He then looked at Josephine and softened his tone. "Don't disrupt her rest."

That last sentence pissed off Nancy, who growled, "Lewis Alvarez-"

Before she could finish speaking, Lewis shot her a scowl that stopped the words from leaving her mouth.

His scowl was a mixture of frostiness, rage, and murder. It sent chills down her spine as if she were looking at a rabid beast.

Although she acted on her superiority as his mother, his reaction still made her feel guilty.

After a moment, she suppressed her rage and said, "Fine. I won't disturb you two. I'm glad you're okay."

She left with her butler after that. Even so, she complained to the latter, "How vexing! He ignored my concern for him, yet was overly worried about that mute! What's so great about that mute anyway?" The butler, Murray Lander, responded quietly, "There must be more to Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez's relationship than meets the eye."