A Second Chance at Forever

Chapter 24

Hailey was startled by Eleanor’s continuous screams and hurriedly nudged her.

“Eleanor, what’s wrong?”

Eleanor’s consciousness gradually returned, and she slowly opened her eyes, seeing only a worried Hailey, with Bernard and Garett nowhere to be found. She realized she just had a nightmare, dreaming about her past and people she’d rather not see.

Trying to shake off the images in her head, Eleanor swallowed her dry throat and tried to grab some water, only to find an IV in her arm.

“You had a high fever, so I brought you to the hospital,” Hailey said, seeing that Eleanor was all groggy. She helped her drink the water at the side.

The water revitalized Eleanor little by little…

“Hailey…”

“Yeah?”

Hailey gently responded, arranging her sweat–drenched hair and tucking it behind her ear before softly asking, “Are you hungry?”

Eleanor shook her head with difficulty. “Did the doctor tell you anything?”

She hadn’t figured out how to tell Hailey about her heart failure just yet, but being suddenly sick and rushed to the hospital probably clued her in.

“The doctor didn’t say much. They just put you on IV fluids since you were unconscious from the fever. They took your blood as well. The test results should be out by now.”

After saying that, Hailey got up to get the report. “I’ll grab it right now.”

Eleanor quickly stopped her. “I’m a bit hungry… can you help me get something to eat first?”

Hailey nodded. “Wait for me, I’ll go buy you some light food.”

Her heart failure could be found through the blood test. She didn’t want Hailey she would have to face Eleanor’s impending death.

As Hailey left with her bag, Eleanor mustered the strength to sit up. She walked over to the machine and took out her test results.

to

see

the results, fearing it would sadden her and that

They had relied on each other since childhood, being each other’s rock.

If Hailey knew Eleanor would soon die, she wouldn’t be able to handle the blow.

Eleanor tore the report apart and threw it in the trash. That way, Hailey couldn’t see it.

Turning around to head back to her hospital room, she saw a dozen luxury cars suddenly pull up to the emergency entrance.

A group of bodyguards in black suits got out, escorting Bernard out of the car.

He was holding Sophie, rushing into the hospital.

Seeing his anxious expression, Eleanor couldn’t help but feel a bit dejected.

She remembered when she was with him and had been rushed to the ER for a heart attack.

What was his reaction at that time?

Eleanor recalled him standing by her bedside, looking down credit card.

giving charity to a beggar, disdainfully tossing her a

He thought she was faking her illness just to gain his sympathy and get some money.

At this thought, Eleanor couldn’t help but scoff at herself, her eyes brimming with tears.

Despite the injustices and bitterness, she turned away, determined to never cross paths with him again. He once said that he would never want to see her ever again. She would make sure of that!

In the time that remained, she and Bernard would be strangers, even if they crossed paths.

The footsteps behind her approached, each one stepping on her heart, causing her immense pain.

Bernard passed by her without giving her a glance, just as she expected.

To a heartless man like him, past feelings didn’t matter, especially when there was none to begin with.

With her chin raised high, Eleanor stubbornly refused to cry. He was simply a man who abandoned her – nothing important.