Robert stared intently at Lena.
He thought, “She seems taller now, and her face looks fuller. Apparently, she’s been doing just fine without me.”
A hint of bitterness welled up in Robert’s heart. Lena was no longer the girl who used to cling to him.
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He raised his hand, wanting to pat her head like he used to, but withdrew it before making contact.
“Lena, I…”
“Uncle Robert, it’s been a while.”
Lena stepped forward to greet Robert, then nodded politely to Gideon.
Her tone was completely natural, showing no sign of discomfort.
This made Robert’s hopes vanish instantly, but he couldn’t give
- up.
This time, he had come here for treatment, using his illness as a pretext. It was his only chance to win her back.
“Lena, could I speak with you privately for a moment?”
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Instead of answering directly, Lena glanced at Gideon who stood behind Robert.
Gideon nodded and left with his staff to arrange Robert’s hospitalization.
Only Lena and Robert remained in the hospital room.
“Lena, there are things I’ve wanted to tell you in person. I’m sorry. It wasn’t until after you left that I realized I loved you all along, but I hurt you deeply because of my cowardice.
“Now I’ve finally recognized my feelings for you. Lena, I love you, just as you once loved me. So, could you please give me another chance? Let’s start over.
“Without you, I can barely face each day. I’ll do anything you ask if you’ll come back to me.
“You loved me so much. I can’t believe there’s nothing left in your heart for me. You’re just angry with me, but I truly know I was wrong. Please forgive me!”
Robert pleaded with Lena, his eyes filled with sorrow.
He thought, “No matter how she hits me, scolds me, or cries, I’ll accept it. I’ll do anything as long as she can release her anger.”
But Lena just kept smiling at Robert. Only after he finished did she speak, “Uncle Robert, what’s past is past. People need to look forward. What matters now isn’t any of this, but that you cooperate with your treatment and get better. The Ashford
Chapter 17
Group still needs you. You must recover soon!”
Her tone was flat and distant.
Robert grew inexplicably nervous and grabbed her hand.
“What about you? Do you still need me?”
Robert anxiously awaited Lena’s answer, his sadness evident.
She had intended to refuse him outright, but remembered Gideon’s instructions.
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She sighed softly, “Uncle Robert, of course I need you, and many others need you too. So you must actively cooperate with your treatment, okay?”
Robert’s heart sank, but he quickly reasoned that since Lena hadn’t directly rejected him, there was still hope of winning her back.
So, he smiled for the first time in a long while.
“Alright, I’ll follow the treatment plan. But, Lena, can you promise to visit me when you’re not busy?”
“Yes, I promise.”
Lena extended her pinky finger to hook with Robert’s, just like she used to do as a child.
He was overjoyed. The gloom that had weighed on his heart for
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so long suddenly lifted.
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Apart from his daily treatments, Robert spent all his time trying to win Lena back.
He sent her numerous messages every day and called her whenever she wasn’t busy. On his better days, he would even go out to buy her gifts.
Afraid she might not understand his feelings, he constantly expressed his love.
“Lena, I love you. I truly can’t live without you. Please come back to me.
“Even if you can’t forgive me now, it’s okay. I’ll always be by your side. I believe that someday you’ll fall in love with me again.”
Robert spoke many sweet words. Their roles seemed to have reversed, with him now being the one constantly clinging to her.
She never responded to his declarations, only urging him to focus on recovery, but even so, he was happy because she no longer rejected him.
Robert followed her advice and cooperated with treatment. He listened carefully to every instruction from the doctors because he wanted to recover quickly.
He somewhat regretted how he had abused his health before. He thought that being still young, he would recover soon.
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But reality was cruel. Robert finally realized how serious his condition was. After extensive treatment, his condition hadn’t improved–it had worsened.
He had become so thin that he was barely recognizable, his face sunken and distorted.
He was no longer the confident man he once was. Now it seemed a gust of wind could blow him away.
Robert panicked.
Recalling Lena’s words that day and the way she looked at him cach time after, he finally understood why she hadn’t directly rejected him.
He thought, “So she knew I was dying, and she pitied me. But I don’t want to die. I haven’t won Lena back yet.”
Then, he rushed into the doctor’s office.
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