Chapter 85
Leaning my head against the wall, I pressed my phone to my ear, waiting for someone—anyone—to answer. But the call ended in silence. A curse slipped from my lips as I gripped the phone in both hands, pressing it against my forehead.
"Ro, just answer the call," I whispered, hugging my knees as I redialed her number. This time, a recorded voice responded instead of the familiar ring.
I groaned, tugging at my hair. "Where the hell are you? Why aren't you answering me?"
My hands trembled, my body still cold from everything I'd discovered in her study—the vault's password, our old anniversary from university, and inside it... the stack of hidden treatment reports.
A laugh broke out, half-choked by tears streaming down my cheeks. "I'm such an idiot. How did I miss it? All the signs—every single one pointed to her illness. Why didn't I see that the reason she was pulling away was because she's sick... just like her mother?"
Then my phone rang.
I froze. For a heartbeat, I couldn't even breathe. The screen flashed with an unknown number. My gut twisted, but I answered anyway, hoping—praying—it was her.
"Hello?"
"Hi, is this Sloane?"
The voice was familiar, though I couldn't quite place it at first. "Uh, yeah. This is she. Who's this?"
"Sloane, it's Thalia."
I blinked, standing abruptly. "Thalia? Why are you calling? Did something happen to Ro?"
"Well," she hesitated, "I was about to ask you if she'd gotten home safe."
Frowning, I rubbed my temple. "She isn't home. I've been calling her nonstop. Were you with her earlier?"
"Yeah," Thalia replied. "We were at her father's house, but she left right after your live press conference. Said she needed time to think. I figured she went home, but she's not picking up my calls either."
My chest tightened. "Okay. I'll look for her. Please, if you hear from her, call me right away. Thank you, Thalia."
I ended the call before she could respond and rushed to the garage. One glance at the parked cars made my stomach drop—one of hers was missing.
"Where the hell are you, Ro?" I muttered, jumping into my own car. The engine roared to life as I buckled my seatbelt and placed my phone on the holder.
I dialed again—once, twice, three times. Each attempt ended the same: silence.
My grip on the steering wheel tightened. If she wanted to be alone... to think...
Then it hit me. "The mausoleum," I breathed. "The Cimetière de Monaco." I pressed harder on the accelerator, the city lights streaking past as panic settled in my chest.
I was on my way to the cemetery when the rain began to pound heavily against the windshield. Hissing under my breath, I turned on the wipers. My gaze flicked toward the passenger side, but something on the opposite lane caught my attention.
"Ro?" I whispered, squinting through the blur.
I drove past before realizing it was her. My heart lurched. Slowing down, I glanced back through the rearview mirror. "What the hell is she doing walking under the rain like that?" Clicking my tongue, I took a sharp U-turn and followed her path.
Switching my beams on, I lit the road ahead of her. As I slowed beside her, she turned toward the light. I braked and shoved the door open, stepping out into the downpour.
Aurora took a step back, as if ready to run.
"Ro!" I snapped, my voice cutting through the rain. How dare she try to run from me again?
I slammed the door shut and walked toward her. She stood there, frozen, rain soaking through her clothes.
"Sol..." Her voice was faint, her eyes locked on mine. "Why—how..."
Before she could finish, I threw myself at her, wrapping my arms around her and holding on tight.
"I'm sorry," I whispered against her chest. "I'm so sorry.
" My hands trembled as I clutched her, trying to steady my breathing, but the tears wouldn't stop.
The moment I felt her warmth, everything inside me shattered.
"Please don't leave. Let's not get a divorce. Please."
I couldn't lose her again. I wouldn't. She couldn't leave me—not now. I tightened my arms around her, desperate, clinging.
"Why..." Her voice cracked. "Why did you choose me?"
I froze, tilting my head up despite the blur of rain and tears. "What do you mean, why? What do you mean, choose you?" I asked, breath hitching. "Ro, there was never anyone else to choose. From the beginning until now—it's only ever been you."
I pressed my trembling fingers against her chest and buried my face there. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for making you feel like an option. For making you think I had something with Margot."
Aurora suddenly pushed me back, gripping my shoulders as she leaned down, forcing me to meet her gaze.
"Didn't you hear me?" she cried. "Didn't you hear me when I told the media I'm dying?
" Her grip trembled. "I'm dying, Sol. I'm dying!
So why would you stay beside me? You should leave—find someone else. Someone who isn't a countdown!"
My jaw tightened. Rain ran down my face like it couldn't tell the difference from my tears. "Because I can't!" I yelled, my voice cracking. I didn't understand why she wanted me to step back, why she wanted me to leave her alone.
I blinked away the tears, the rain mingling with them. "The embezzlement—fine, I manipulated it. But only because I wanted you back! I can't leave you! I can't start over with someone else! It's you, Ro. It's always been you!"
What part of that couldn't she understand? I wanted her. I wanted to be by her side—the only one she would ever need. So why... why was she still pushing me away?
My breath hitched as I shook my head. "That's why I don't understand. Why did you choose to leave me back then, instead of staying? If you knew you were sick—if you knew you were dying—why didn't you stay with me until your last breath?"
All she needed to do was tell me the truth.
If she had told me she was sick, I would have stayed.
I would have taken care of her. I would have loved her through every second of it.
She didn't need to leave me like that. She should've stayed—let her body give up on her while I was there, refusing to give up on her.
Aurora didn't answer. She just looked at me, as if trying to understand everything I was saying.
"You promised me," I choked out, my voice breaking.
"You promised me after graduation. You promised me a life together.
So why did you leave just because you were sick?
I would've stayed. I would've fought. I would've stood beside you.
I spent all my life hating you and loving you at the same time—only to find out the real reason you left wasn't because I was a toy, but because you were sick! "
She wasted our youth—our love.
She stayed away when she could've stayed beside me and built the life we dreamed of.
I would've sacrificed everything for her.
She could've worn me out, drained every ounce of me, and I still would've chosen her.
So why... why did leaving me have to be her answer?
Aurora's lips trembled. "Sol... please..."
I shook my head violently.
"Stop pushing me away!" She didn't have to say it—her face said everything.
She still wanted distance. "Don't push me away!
Ruin me if you have to—tear me apart if you must—but don't shut me out!
Let me stay. Own me if you must, keep me for yourself, but don't hand me to someone else.
I'd rather be destroyed with you than live a life without you, Aurora! "
I had worked so hard to reach her—to stand where she stood, so she could never avoid me again. I'd rather be destroyed by her than live without her.
She stared at me, then sank to her knees, her head bowed as if she couldn't bear to meet my eyes. I swallowed hard. When she finally looked up, something in her gaze made me freeze.
Those eyes. The same ones that once stole my breath. The same ones that held me captive all those years.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Sol... please... don't love someone else."
I blinked at her, speechless.
"Please don't find someone else. I can't bear to see you in another's arms. If I die one day, please, don't love anyone else." Her voice cracked as she reached for me. "I love you, Sol. I love you so much it hurts. I can't watch you belong to anyone else. I can't."
I knelt before her, cupping her face. She didn't have to beg. I've always been hers. No one else could ever claim me—she was the only exception.
"Sol, please," she murmured, pressing my hand to her cheek. "Just love me in this lifetime—or the next—or the one after that."
People say love shouldn't be selfish. But it wouldn't be Aurora DeLacroix if it wasn't. This is Aurora—the only woman who owns me. The only woman I would ever call my wife.
Heaving a sigh, I leaned in, closing the space between us as my lips met hers. I've always been yours, Ro, I thought, shutting my eyes and letting her warmth flood through me again.
Aurora responded, cupping my face as she deepened the kiss—claiming me, as she always did.
Tears slipped down my cheeks. After everything—after weeks of pain and misunderstanding—we found our way back to each other.
Despite everything, we still chose this. We chose us.
But then... her grip weakened.
"Ro?" I whispered, pulling back just enough to see her face. Her chest rose unevenly, eyes still shut. "Ro!" Panic spiked through me as I patted her cheeks.
"Aurora," I called again, louder this time, but she didn't answer. Her hands slipped from my face and fell to her sides.
My heart stopped.
"Ro, please... don't scare me like this." My voice trembled as I caught her, struggling to steady her limp body. I hooked my arms around her and tried to lift her upright.
"Sol..." she murmured faintly, her voice barely a breath.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her close as I half-dragged, half-carried her toward the car. Her weight grew heavier by the second. "Ro," I gasped, fumbling to open the passenger door, "don't do this to me."
I eased her into the seat, buckled her in, then slammed the door shut and ran to the driver's side. My hands shook as I turned the key.
The engine roared.
I pressed the accelerator hard, weaving through traffic, honking at every car that dared block my path. Aurora's head had slumped to one side, her body motionless.
"No, no, no..." I whispered under my breath, the words breaking apart as I gripped the wheel tighter.
When the hospital came into view, I barely stopped the car before I ran out, yelling, "Please! Someone! I need help!"
Nurses at the entrance looked up and rushed toward me. I pointed frantically toward the car. "My—my wife, please! Please, save her!"
?·???°???°???·?
Rushing back into Aurora's hospital room, I pushed the door open and found Thalia and Aurora's father inside. My chest heaved as I tried to steady my breathing. Setting the bag I'd brought from the mansion on the couch, I looked at Aurora.
"Did she wake up while I was gone?" I asked, my eyes tracing how fragile my wife looked on the bed.
Thalia shook her head. "No, she didn't. I already called her physician from BioSynthix—she might need to be transferred tomorrow once she's stable enough to wake."
"You should get some rest, Sloane," Aurora's father said gently, worry flickering in his eyes. "You've been running around nonstop since you brought her here."
I managed a faint smile and shook my head. "I want to be here when she wakes up." I swallowed hard, then bowed slightly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know she was this sick—I had no idea. If I'd known, I should've been a better wife."
A soft pat on my head made me look up. Aurora's father gave a small, weary smile. "You don't have to apologize. I'm just as shocked as you are. I had no idea my daughter was ill. None of us did." He turned toward Thalia. "Well—except for Thalia."
I blinked and looked at her.
Thalia rubbed the back of her neck. "Aurora didn't want anyone to know.
She only told me after she asked for my help, pretending we were involved—right after she said she'd broken up with her girlfriend.
I pressed her to explain herself, and that's when she told me she had leukemia. "
I rubbed my temple, letting out a hollow laugh. "She's been dealing with it all alone? Were you with her during treatment? How was she then?"
Thalia sighed and shook her head. "No. She never let me go with her. She just told me when her sessions were scheduled. I kept telling her—before your anniversary—that she needed to tell you the truth."
"But she never did." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "If she hadn't said it during that live interview, I never would've known. I feel so useless as her wife. Like I was only there because of the company partnership—not because we really loved each other."
"You shouldn't say that," Thalia said softly, shaking her head.
"Rory loved you, Sloane. I remember when you two broke up—she locked herself in her room and cried for days.
She told me she wanted to run back to you, to tell you she lied.
.. that she still loved you. But she stopped herself, convinced that it was better for you to find someone who could grow old with you.
She destroyed herself over and over again.
She checked on you every year, like some secret stalker.
" Thalia gave a sad smile. "She knew everything about you, Sloane.
But somehow, she never found out you had a daughter together. "
We talked for hours about Aurora—about everything I never knew. And as I listened, I realized how much of her life had been hidden from me. She'd lived quietly, appearing only when it mattered, masking her pain so no one would see.
When the room finally emptied, I pulled out a chair and sat beside her bed, taking her hand in mine.
The rhythmic beeping of the monitor and the quiet hum of machines surrounded us.
My fingers traced the back of her hand, pausing when I noticed the ring on my right finger—her wedding band.
Slowly, I slipped it off and slid it onto her finger instead.
"Don't give it back to me," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "It's yours. It'll always be yours, my Dawn."
A shaky laugh escaped me.
"It's your birthday, and here we are in a hospital because your immune system gave up on you.
I told you not to drink so much, didn't I?
You're so stubborn sometimes." My voice trembled as I tightened my grip on her hand.
"Ro... please wake up. Don't scare me like this. "
I didn't know how long I talked to her like that—just murmuring into the stillness, watching her chest rise and fall. Eventually, exhaustion claimed me, and I fell asleep with my head resting beside her hand.
A faint movement stirred me awake. Groaning softly, I lifted my head, still half-asleep, my hand still holding hers.
"Sol?"
I froze.
My eyes flew open as I straightened, staring toward the sound of her voice.
"Ro..." I gasped, standing quickly as I gripped her hand tighter.
"How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?
God—thank you. You're finally awake." My vision blurred with tears as I wrapped my arms around her.
"Where... am I?" she whispered, her voice raspy from sleep.
Pulling back, I couldn't stop myself from cupping her face, my thumbs brushing against her cheeks. "You're in the hospital. You collapsed last night, so I brought you here."
Her pale skin looked even more fragile under the fluorescent lights, her lips tinged with a bluish purple that made my chest tighten.
I followed her gaze and realized she was staring at my clothes.
Looking down at the oversized hoodie I was wearing, I let out a small, breathless laugh.
"I was so worried, I just grabbed the first thing I saw.
I brought a few things for you, too," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks flush as I reached up to press the nurse-call button above her bed.
Sitting back in the chair beside her, I continued softly, "Your father and Thalia came last night. They're worried about you." I lowered my head, fidgeting with my fingers. "I'm sorry, Ro. I should've put you first. You're my wife—I should've been paying attention."
If I'd only looked closer... I would've noticed the bruises, the fevers, the exhaustion. If I'd insisted she go to the hospital sooner, maybe I would've known. Maybe I could've helped her.
My thoughts stopped when I felt her hand pat my head. I looked up, and she gave me a faint smile before her palm slid down to my cheek. Her thumb brushed across my skin, and I leaned into her touch, closing my eyes and letting myself feel her warmth.
A knock at the door made us both pause. A doctor stepped in, clipboard in hand. Aurora shifted slightly, trying to sit up. I immediately rose and helped her, tucking a pillow behind her back for support before taking her hand again.
The doctor checked her vitals, then spoke gently. "You had a fever flare-up last night, Ms. DeLacroix. You do understand how serious your condition is right now, don't you?"
Aurora nodded quietly, like a child caught doing something she shouldn't have. I exhaled a shaky sigh.
"We'll need to arrange your transfer to BioSynthix within the day," the doctor continued. "You require closer monitoring. Your physician has already requested that you be moved to Switzerland—you'll be airlifted from here once arrangements are finalized."
Then she turned to me. "Mrs. DeLacroix, if you could come with me, we'll go over the details."
I nodded, glancing back at Aurora. "I'll be right back. Don't do anything reckless, okay? Just stay put."
Aurora rolled her eyes lightly, a small smile on her lips. "As if I could move around with all these wires on me?"
A faint laugh escaped me as I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Wait for me, okay?" I whispered before straightening and following the doctor out.
Inside her office, the doctor motioned for me to sit on the couch.
She flipped through her clipboard, scanning notes.
"Mrs. DeLacroix," she began, looking up at me.
"Your wife's condition is critical. The leukemia has progressed faster than expected.
I strongly recommend we start an intensive treatment plan to slow the disease's progression. "
She spoke at length—about medications, procedures, and the need for constant monitoring. I took mental notes, forcing myself to stay composed, though my hands trembled in my lap.
When our discussion ended, I stood and bowed slightly. "Thank you, doctor," I murmured before leaving the office.
My steps back to Aurora's room felt heavier with each stride. The weight of her condition pressed down on me, each thought sinking deeper than the last.
But when I reached her door, I stopped—voices drifted from inside. My brow furrowed. Is she with someone?
Pushing the door open, I froze. Standing near Aurora's bed was Margot.
My blood ran cold. "What the hell are you doing here, Margot?" I snapped, storming forward and placing myself between them. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from Aurora?"
Margot only smirked, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Sloane. I just told your wife you're pregnant—that she should give you up since she's dying anyway."
The air left my lungs. My jaw dropped, my pulse pounding in my ears. The audacity—how dare she.
"You're delusional," I hissed, shoving her back. "Leave. Now. Before I call security and have them drag you out of this hospital!"
Margot's eyes flashed. "Why can't you just admit the truth, Sloane?" she shouted. "What's so wrong with leaving that worthless wife of yours? We're having a child together!"
What the fuck? I blinked, trying to process Margot's words.
"The child isn't yours!
" I shouted, storming toward her and shoving her hard.
"Nothing happened between us! I only changed your clothes, that's it!
Why are you forcing this?!" My voice cracked as I glared at her.
"Leave. Just fucking leave!" I shoved her again, this time out the door, then slammed it shut behind her.
Turning back to Aurora, I dragged both hands down my face and let out a broken laugh—disappointed that it wasn't me who told her about the pregnancy, disappointed that I trusted the wrong person.
I pulled out a chair and sank into it. "I didn't know she'd come here," I muttered, swallowing hard.
"Sol," Aurora's voice trembled, pulling my gaze to her despite my blurred vision. "Y-you're pregnant?"
Her question froze me. I blinked at her, still catching my breath, until she spoke again.
"W-was it Margot's?"
"Oh my God, Ro, are you serious right now?"
Aurora frowned; her voice uncertain. "If it wasn't Margot's... then who's the father of the child you're carrying?"
I blinked. My mouth fell open. For a moment, the world tilted sideways. "What's going on inside this room?" I whispered, my pulse hammering in my ears.
"Are you for real right now, Ro?" I asked again, my voice rising with disbelief.
Why—why is she asking me that? She's the only one who's been with me. The only one who's touched me.
Tilting her head, she gave me a puzzled look. "We haven't been intimate lately. The last time was the night we announced Dione was our daughter. That was... how many months ago now?"
My jaw slackened even more. "Ro... are you serious right now?"
Her brow furrowed, confusion deepening. "Why? Did I say something wrong? I don't remember touching you over the past weeks."
A hollow laugh slipped from my lips. My hand tugged on my hair as frustration burned behind my eyes. "Oh my God, I'm losing my mind," I muttered, smacking my forehead. "Are you even real right now? You— you don't remember? Is memory loss part of your symptoms now?"
Is that why she kept insisting on the divorce? Is that why, the morning after that night, she didn't reach out—because she couldn't remember it?
A knot formed deep inside my chest. Just how serious are her symptoms now?
"What are you trying to say, Sol?" Aurora's voice softened, almost pleading. "Look, I'm not pushing you away. Pregnant or not, I want you beside me. I just need to know who the father is."
"Are you—" The words died in my throat as nausea rose like a wave. My stomach turned violently. I covered my mouth and bolted toward the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.
Leaning over the sink, I gagged and coughed until I could barely breathe. I turned on the faucet, rinsed my mouth, and splashed cold water on my face.
When I came back, Aurora's gaze followed my every movement.
I stared at her for a long second, unsure what was real anymore. My voice trembled when I finally spoke. "I don't know if you're faking it or not... but the child is yours."
"What?" she whispered, eyes widening as if I'd told her something impossible.
"It's not Margot's," I said firmly, shaking my head. "It's not another man's. It's yours. What the hell are you even thinking? You dared to be intimate with me—and then forget? How dare you?"
Her mouth parted in shock. "Me? You're kidding, Sol. I told you, the last time we were—"
I didn't want to hear another word. My frustration, my fear, my grief—they all collided at once. I crossed the room, grabbed her face in my hands, and kissed her hard, silencing her protests.
When I pulled away, Aurora's breath came in short gasps. "What the hell was that?" she panted, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
I glared at her, voice breaking. "When I told you it's yours, it's yours," I snapped. "I wouldn't let you claim something that isn't yours." My throat tightened, and tears spilled freely down my cheeks.
Aurora just stared at me, silent, as if searching for truth in my eyes. Then, slowly, her trembling hand reached out—resting gently against my stomach. Her eyes softened. "We... we're expecting?" she whispered, voice quivering.
I swallowed hard, nodding. "Yes, Ro. We're expecting."
Leaning forward, I rested my forehead against hers, my hands cupping her cheeks. "So please... if you can—if your body still wants to fight—stay. Stay until you're able to see our second child."
The tears blurred my vision, but I didn't care.
I wanted her to feel every word. "I'll find something, Ro.
Anything that could help you stay healthy.
I know your illness is terminal, but there has to be a way—to prolong it, to keep you here.
I need you. Dione needs you. Our baby needs you. "
My voice cracked as I whispered the last part. "So please, Ro... don't leave us yet."
I want her to stay beside me.
I'll find something—anything—that could help her hold on a little longer.
I know her illness is terminal, but maybe.
.. maybe there's still a way. A chance to keep her healthy, to keep her here.
I need my wife. And Dione, as well as our unborn child, needs her even more.
So no—I won't give up. I'll search every corner of the world if I have to.
I'll find a way to help her stay. To let her live.