<b>Chapter </b><b>50 </b>


    Even though I didn’t <b>love </b><b>Jared </b>anymore<b>, </b>the smell of another woman’s perfume on him and that fake gentle way he talked to me made me want to throw up.


    Maybe in front of Jared and Tracy, both smart and good at handling emotions, I was a total dunce. They thought they could trick me, while I was totally clueless.


    In my previous life, I really didn’t know anything. Not even that Tracy had an abortion to win Yvonne over. I <b>was </b><b>so </b>ignorant, pouring all my love into my daughter and husband, cooking at home and waiting for them toe back.


    “Why aren’t you eating?” Jared sat next to me, staring at his phone.


    “I’m not hungry,” <b>I </b>said calmly.


    “Go home and rest tonight. I’ll stay with Yvonne.” Jared rubbed his temples, looking tired. “Did you argue with Yvonne again?”


    “If she doesn’t respect me as her mom, I can’t love her like before.” I grabbed my bag and stood up as I spoke. “Thanks for the help. I’m leaving now.”


    Jared’s hand froze on his forehead as he watched me leave. I left too fast for him to say anything.


    Jared and Yvonne were always on the same side. I learned not to care about them anymore.


    I got home, took a shower, and fell asleep on the bed.


    The next morning, I ached all over and felt chills. I asked Wendy to bring the thermometer. It read 103 degrees.


    “Ma’am, you’re sick…” Wendy came close to helping me up.


    I stopped her right away. “Don’te in. My cold is contagious. You and Joyce should leave work early.”


    Wendy froze, about to speak but stopped herself.


    I smiled weakly, “Yvonne got sick yesterday; I took care of her. Now I’m feverish, too. It’s definitely contagious. Don’t worry. I’ll go to the hospital myself.”


    Wendy’s eyes lit up for a second. She nodded and left.


    I sank back into bed. Though I felt awful, I managed to get up. Not bothering to fix my hair, I got dressed and drove straight


    out.


    <b>I </b>skipped the big hospitals. I remembered a good clinic near the Harmonia Hotel. I’d get a shot first. I parked my car and stumbled toward the clinic.


    The aches and exhaustion made me break out in cold sweats. After just a short walk, I felt queasy and miserable.


    1 leaned against a tree trunk, gagging but nothing came up, as a deep male voice asked nearby. “What’s wrong?”


    With tears in my eyes, I looked up and saw Nathan. “Mr. Hallman?” I asked in surprise. “What are you doing here?”


    “I’m here for breakfast.” As he spoke, Nathan kept staring at me. “You look pale. Are you sick? Want to go to the hospital?”


    “No, I just need a shot at the clinic <b>up </b>ahead.” After saying this, I got my strength back and kept walking.


    Nathan followed behind me, worried. “Is it a cold? Let me take you there.”


    ‘No need. I can handle it myself.” I was not delicate.


    Nathan ignored me and moved closer. I didn’t see the path clearly and tripped on a raised brick, stumbling forward.


    Just then, Nathan reached out, grabbed my arm, and pulled me back. I nearly fell into his arms, my legs weak.


    Nathan was stunned to see how feeble I looked. Without saying a thing, he scooped me up and carried me like a bride.


    “Nathan… put me down!” I freaked out, yelling his name.


    “You’re about to pass out, but you’re still pushing it. Why act like a kid?” Nathan snapped at me.


    “I’m okay, really. Put me down.” Getting carried like a princess by a guy so carly in the day was super awkward, and I was married.


    Nathan marched ahead quickly. The clinic was right there, and he carried me straight in.


    I felt dizzy and sore all over. When the meds hit my vein, I let out a sigh of relief. When I was at my weakest, I really wanted a bit of kindness from others.


    “Go on, Mr. Hallman. I’m fine here,” I whispered.


    “Not till you’re done with the drip,” Nathan said, sitting beside me, his eyes warm and caring.


    “This drip will take at least two hours,” I said, looking up as the young nurse, cheeks red, brought two more bottles of meds.


    “No problem. I’ve got time,” Nathan said calmly.


    Hearing that, I knew I couldn’t get rid of him, so I added, “Then get a mask from the doctor. Don’t catch this from me.”


    Nathan’s face dropped, looking hurt for no reason. “What, are you scared? Think someone might see us?”


    “See what?” I tried to warn him to protect himself, but he was moping for no reason.


    With a hint of sadness, Nathan got up, asked the doctor for a ck mask, and quietly put it on next to me.


    I turned to him. His eyes looked hurt as he said, “If you won’t tell me to leave, and want me to hide my face, I will.”


    “What’s all this about?” His pitiful look made meugh, but I said firmly, “Mr. Hallman, I got this from my kid. I’m honestly worried about you.”


    “If you say so,” Nathan had a “whatever floats your boat” look.


    I totally got Nathan’s deal. He had a thing for me for years. No matter that I got married or got <i>a </i>kid, nothing stopped him from getting close.


    Honestly, he was handsome, charming, tech billionaire material. At 27, he was the kind that made women go wild.


    But I was done with guys. I wouldn’t get caught up in feelings. If he would like to give me some career advice, I was all ears.


    Nathan sat quietly by me, not saying <b>a </b>word. His deep eyes, half–hidden under his mask, shone, maybe from mood or just seeing me.


    Chapter 50M


    “Miss, <b>get </b>your husband to grab your meds<b>!</b><b>” </b>the doctor yelled from across the room.


    Both Nathan and I looked shocked.


    ?


    “Okay!” To my surprise, Nathan stood up and walked over. He stood by the doctor, listening carefully, and I felt all nervous.