Chapter 225 Myrna’s
Condition Has Worsened
Brian’s voice trembled with remorse. “I’m sorry, Rachel. After all these years, I’ve failed
you.”
A bitter, self–deprecating laugh escaped Rachel’s lips.
She couldn’t bear to look at him anymore.
Pushing open the door, she stepped inside, her weary body sliding down against the wooden surface, collapsing like a marionette with severed strings. The weight of his betrayal crushed her spirit.
She hadn’t anticipated his complete lack of explanation.
Even a fabricated story would have been preferable to this deafening silence.
It was painfully obvious how completely Brian was consumed by Tracy.
Another message from Brian buzzed on her phone. “Don’t worry, I won’t contact you except for work–related matters.”
Rachel dismissed the message without a second glance, her resolve hardening.
The next day, she messaged Natalia and headed to the train station.
As the train prepared to depart, someone hurriedly slipped into the seat beside her.
Concealed beneath a hat and mask, the mysterious passenger caught Rachel’s attention.
She cast a curious glance before returning her gaze to the passing landscape.
Minutes into the journey, Natalia could no longer contain herself.
Removing her disguise, she took a deep breath. “Rachel, don’t you recognize me?”
“Natalia?”
Rachel’s surprise was immediate and genuine.
“What are you doing here?”
Natalia grabbed her arm. “Of course, I’m coming back with you.”
“Not waiting for him?” Rachel asked, her question subtle but clear.
They both knew who “him” referred to.
“Not anymore,” she said, almost to herself. “I’ve realized something… In this world, I can fight for anything I want–except love. That’s the one thing that refuses to be forced. I once gave it my all… but that’s enough. At least now, I won’t have regrets.” Rachel studied her, noting the quiet strength in her voice.
Natalia had changed–grown.
Rachel reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “That’s the right way to see it. You’re still young. There are people out there who will be worth your love.”
Natalia nodded, more certain now. “I know.”
The two of them leaned against each other and dozed off, lulled by the steady rhythm of the train.
When they woke up, they snacked and talked, and before they knew it, the journey had passed in a blur.
At the station, Natalia had to head home first, so they parted with a hug, promising to
meet soon.
The next evening, just as Rachel was stepping out of work, her phone rang.
“Hey, are you free right now?” said Elsa.
“I just clocked out. What’s up?”
“Can I see you?” Elsa’s voice was unusually strained.
“Of course. Meet me at the restaurant next my office?”
Rachel ordered dinner and hadn’t waited long before Elsa arrived, looking as if she had dragged herself through a battlefield.
Her face was pale, her eyes sunken with exhaustion, and even the way she moved seemed weighed down by an invisible burden.
“Elsa, have you been sleeping at all?” Rachel asked, her concern deepening.
Elsa
gave a feeble nod, but her dry lips and weary expression told another story.
“Let’s eat first,” Rachel suggested gently. “We can talk while we eat.”
Elsa didn’t argue, merely muttering a weak “Okay.”
But halfway through the meal, the dam finally broke. She dropped her utensils, buried her face in her arms, and began to sob–deep, gut–wrenching cries that shook her whole frame.
Rachel immediately put down her fork, reached across the table, and rubbed soothing circles on Elsa’s back. “Elsa,” she murmured, her voice soft yet steady, “tell me what happened.”
Elsa didn’t answer. She just kept crying, her shoulders trembling violently.
Rachel didn’t press her. She simply stayed by her side, waiting.
After a few minutes, Elsa finally lifted her head, her face pale and drawn as she looked at Rachel.
“I’m sorry, Rachel, for making a scene. I just… I just couldn’t hold it in anymore.”
“Could you
tell me what’s happening?” Rachel asked gently.
From the moment Elsa had called, Rachel had felt a sense of dread.
And indeed, the situation was far worse than she had imagined.
Elsa, her voice trembling with grief, poured out her sorrow. “Myrna’s condition has
worsened. And it’s progressing faster than we thought. I just came from the emergency room. It’s the second time this week she’s needed emergency treatment. I don’t know how many more times she’ll have to go through this. I don’t know if she’ll be lucky enough to survive each time. I’m sorry, Rachel, I’m just so heartbroken.”
Rachel felt the weight of those words.
Not every critical moment would end with survival.
Myrna’s life–and her own–hung in a delicate balance.
“And Huey?” Rachel asked softly.
Elsa’s eyes filled with fear. “He’s barely holding on. I’ve caught him secretly collecting sleeping pills. I’m genuinely terrified. If something happens to Myrna, Huey won’t be able to cope.”
She reached out, gripping Rachel’s hand. “The experimental drug is their last hope. I’m begging you, please help Huey and Myrna.”
Her plea was raw, desperate. Rachel felt her heart constrict.
“I’ll do everything possible,” she promised. “However, have you considered asking Tracy? Given her relationship with Brian White, her assistance could significantly improve your chances.”
A flush of embarrassment crossed Elsa’s face. “Actually, I approached Tracy first. She refused me outright.”
The revelation surprised Rachel.
“I’m sorry, Rachel, I didn’t mean to keep this from you. I just didn’t want to give you the wrong impression.”
“It’s okay,” she reassured Elsa. “I understand.
But I have a request.”
Elsa sat up a little straighter. “Anything–just tell me, and if it’s within my power, I’ll do it.”
Rachel hesitated briefly before saying, “I’d like to visit Myrna. If she’s okay with it.”
She knew that not everyone in Myrna’s position wanted visitors. Some preferred to keep
their world small, to shield themselves from pitying eyes.
Elsa didn’t answer right away. Instead, she pulled out her phone. “I need to check with Myrna and Huey first. Give me a second.”
Rachel nodded. “Of course.”
A few minutes later, Elsa returned with a nod. “It’s okay. But Myrna just fell asleep, so would you be able to come by tomorrow morning?”
Rachel agreed.
The next day greeted them with perfect weather–clear skies, a gentle breeze, and golden sunlight spilling over the city.
Rachel stopped by a florist and picked out a bouquet bursting with color–reds, pinks, purples…
She remembered how much Myrna had loved flowers back in college.
A little bit of beauty, a little bit of life–sometimes, that was all a person needed.
At eight AM, she met up with Elsa, and by nine, they arrived at the hospital.
The morning light streamed softly through the windows, casting golden hues over the white walls.
As they stepped inside the room, Rachel paused, her breath catching at the sight before her.
Myrna sat upright in bed, her long hair spilling over her shoulders in soft waves, glowing in the sunlight like strands of silk.
Behind her, Huey combed through it gently, his touch feather–light, his expression full of quiet devotion.
They both wore small, peaceful smiles, the kind that spoke of an unshaken bond, a love
that neither illness nor time could touch.
For a fleeting second, it was as if the hospital room, the sickness, the fear–all of it had melted away, leaving behind nothing but warmth and tenderness.
If Rachel hadn’t known the truth, she never would have believed Myrna was fighting a battle with no promised victory.
And yet, that battle was very real.
Myrna turned her head slightly, a soft, knowing smile gracing her lips. “Rachel,” she murmured, her voice gentle, “is that you?”
