Chapter 346
Her words hung in the air like an unspoken storm, and Clifford felt his chest tighten. He struggled to find the right words, anything that could ease the burden she seemed to carry.
“Kelly His voice cracked slightly as he pulled back just enough to meet her tearful eyes, his hands cupping her face. “Why are you saying this? Please, don’t say this p>
Her watery eyes searched his, as though seeking solace and strength in his unwavering gaze. Slowly, she reached up, her trembling fingers brushing against his hand that cupped her face. Her touch was delicate but filled with an aching sincerity.
“Because I care about you too much to let you hope for something I might not be able to give,” she whispered, her voice breaking under the weight of her emotions.
Clifford’s heart clenched, every word she spoke etching itself into his soul. He opened his mouth to protest, to tell her that he didn’t care about promises or guarantees, but she continued, her trembling voice cutting through the crashing waves in the background.
“I can’t promise you forever,” she said, her gaze holding his like an unbroken thread. “Because our lives… they aren’t permanent in this world p>
Her words hung heavy in the air, and Clifford felt a deep ache settle in his chest. But then her lips curved into the faintest, bittersweet smile, and her fingers tightened slightly over his hand.
“However,” she continued, her voice soft yet firm with resolve, “I promise that as long as I live, I will only look at you. My eyes… they’ll only ever see you p>
Clifford’s breath caught in his throat, and he felt a surge of emotions he could barely contain. The vulnerability in her words, the raw honesty in her promise… it was more than enough.
He leaned forward, pressing his forehead gently against hers again, closing his eyes as if to seal the moment in his memory.
“I don’t need forever,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I just need you, here, now, however long I’m lucky enough to have you p>
Kelly’s lips quivered as tears slid down her cheeks, but her smile grew, radiant despite the sorrow that lingered. “And I’ll cherish every second of it,” Clifford added, his voice barely above a whisper.
At that moment, surrounded by the sea’s vastness and the endless sky, they held onto each other as if trying to defy the fragility of life itself.
Meanwhile, back in the Elysium head laboratory, Ivan rubbed his temples, feeling as though his head might split from the weight of his thoughts. Despite the exhaustion, a glimmer of hope persisted.
Last time, he managed to slow the rapid growth of cancer cells. Right now, the cancer cells have ceased their rapid growth… a monumental breakthrough that marked a significant step forward. Yet, it wasn’t enough. He needed a cure.
“This is progress,” he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with both relief and frustration. “But it’s not the solution p>
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the data displayed on the monitors. The numbers confirmed it: the cells had been halted in their tracks, but they weren’t eradicated. The looming question of how to eliminate them entirely without devastating side effects remained unanswered.
Ivan tapped his pen against the desk, a habit he’d developed when deep in thought. “The best course of action is still combining treatments,” he mused aloud. “A surgical approach to remove the tumor first, followed by this medication to prevent regrowth. This could work… it has to p>
He glanced at his phone, debating whether to call Rain. She deserved to know about this development, especially with how much the uncertainty surrounding her father-in-law’s condition weighed on her. But Ivan hesitated.
While the halted progression was promising, it wasn’t the definitive breakthrough they all were hoping for. “Not yet,” he muttered, shaking his head. “I’ll call her when I’m sure p>
For now, all Ivan could do was keep pushing forward, driven by the faint light of hope that this could be the key to saving lives, not just Father Rock’s, but potentially Kelly’s as well.
Ivan knew he still had to closely monitor Kelly’s symptoms and watch for any potential side effects from the drugs. It was too early to involve Rain who would undoubtedly demand constant reassurances about the treatment’s safety, adding even more pressure to his already strained nerves.
“I feel like I’m walking on a tightrope,” Ivan muttered, exhaling a weary sigh. Clifford’s near-daily visits didn’t help either. The man was relentless, constantly reminding him to avoid giving Kelly anything that might jeopardize her health.
“This is so frustrating,” Ivan groaned, rubbing his temples as exhaustion crept over him. A yawn escaped him, and he decided he needed a brief rest. “I’ll just take a quick nap,” he mumbled, heading to his room.
But just as he lay down, a rapid knock on his door interrupted him.
“Dr. Ivan!” one of the lab assistants called urgently. “Sir Clifford just called. They’re on their way back now, Miss Kelly suddenly passed out p>
Ivan bolted upright, all thoughts of rest forgotten. His mind raced as he grabbed his coat and bag. “What happened? Did he say anything else?” he asked, already moving toward the lab’s entrance.
“No details, sir. Just that they’re rushing back, and she collapsed,” the assistant said, hurrying after him.
Ivan clenched his jaw as dread settled in his chest. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath. “I shouldn’t have let her push herself. This could be a reaction to the medication or worse, her condition worsening p>
He reached the entrance just as the hum of an approaching car grew louder. The vehicle screeched to a halt, and Clifford stepped out, cradling Kelly’s limp form in his arms. Her complexion was pale, and her head lolled against his chest.
“She just collapsed,” Clifford said, his voice strained with panic. “One moment she was fine, and then she just… fell. You said she was stable! What’s happening to her p>
Ivan placed a reassuring hand on Clifford’s shoulder, meeting his frantic gaze. “I need to examine her first,” he said firmly. “Bring her inside, quickly p>
As they moved into the treatment area, Ivan steeled himself. The stakes had never felt higher. Every decision he made from this point forward would determine Kelly’s fate and the fragile hope they were all clinging to.