Chapter 612
Chapter 612:
He’d let Jenessa believe that he and Maisie had rekindled their relationship, pushing her further away. It was cruel, but necessary. Better that she despise him than suffer the heartbreak of watching him wither away.
Once Jenessa forgot about him and started anew, he could face death without regret.
Ryan knew he couldn’t give her the future she deserved, so he’d let her believe he was heartless. With Richard by her side, perhaps she could find the happiness that he could never give her.
Despite the gnawing jealousy that twisted in his gut, Ryan was certain that she had found a man who would forever stay steadfast by her side.
At a time as critical as this, he simply couldn’t let her know the truth.
If word got out that he had coughed up blood and landed in the hospital, everything he had worked so hard to keep hidden would unravel.
No, Jenessa could never know about his stomach cancer. Even if she had moved on, he needed to protect her from this burden.
“Mr. Haynes, the doctor said immediate hospitalization could give you a fighting chance,” Rohan urged, his face etched with worry.
Ryan wiped the blood from his lips, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I know my condition better than anyone. But now isn’t the time for hospitals. I’ve got too much to handle. Don’t start talking nonsense p>
When the searing pain finally began to subside, he ordered in a much steadier voice, “Go get my medicine.” Rohan rushed to comply, and Ryan downed the pills with water, waiting for the familiar numbness to kick in.
Slowly, the agony receded into a dull throb.
Just then, his phone buzzed on the table, piercing the silence.
Ryan’s eyes narrowed at the name flashing on the screen. It was Maisie.
Ryan exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, forcing down the gnawing ache in his chest as he finally picked up Maisie’s call.
“What do you want?” His voice, tight and guarded, came out in a clipped tone.
He was caught in a web of lies, needing to shield Jenessa from the truth while playing a role with Maisie.
If Maisie discovered his secret, it would only be a matter of time before Jenessa did too. And that was a risk he couldn’t afford.
On the other end of the line, Maisie’s voice was as sweet as honey.
“Ryan, I baked some desserts all by myself today. Can you come by this evening to try them p>
Ryan’s refusal was immediate and sharp.
“Sorry, but no. I’ve got work to do p>
But Maisie wasn’t fooled. She sensed the distance in Ryan’s words, the icy coldness that had settled between them.
He had rescued her from jail, a gesture she knew was because of the baby, but his heart remained closed off, his warmth inaccessible.
Ryan’s indifference was a thorn in her side, a reminder of her past mistakes, the cruelty that had driven a wedge between them. She wanted him back, but she didn’t know how to make things up to him.
Desperation tinged her voice as she pleaded, “Ryan, be honest with me. Have you not forgiven me? I’m truly sorry for everything. Just… give me a chance to make it right p>
Her words hung in the air, heavy with regret. After a pause, she added softly, “I just saw the news about Jenessa and Richard’s engagement. I know you must be hurting, so I wanted to call and check in on you p>