Nikki returned to the research institute. It was almost time to leave work, and Mariel looked up at her and sneered. Nikki didn't say anything and ignored it. Just as she was about to get back to work, her phone vibrated.
Nikki took it out and saw the name "Aunt Sophia" flashing on the screen. She hesitated for two seconds before pressing the answer button.
Aunt Sophia's voice, choked with sobs, immediately burst forth. "Madam, please come back quickly. The young master has a persistent high fever. I don't know what's wrong. He's taken medicine and had IV fluids, but he's not getting better. The young master is delirious with fever and keeps crying for his mother, Madam."
As she spoke, Ben's murmured, choked voice could be heard. "Mommy... I want my mommy."
Nikki's heart tightened, and her hand holding the phone trembled so much that she almost dropped it.
"Madam, did you hear that? The young master is so ill. He really can't live without you."
Nikki's breath hitched, and she blurted out instinctively, "I'll be right there."
Before she could even utter the word "go," the pain from biting her lip brought back a sliver of clarity. What was this? The divorce agreement was already on the bedside table in the Templeton family's house. What would she be considered if she went back now? The nanny that Lucas had been used to for so many years? Or was she Ben's mother, who would come whenever he needed her?
That was ridiculously absurd.
"Aunt Sophia," Nikki said, suppressing her heartache. She took a deep breath and spoke in a calm voice. "Don't call me Mrs. anymore. Ben has his father and Miss Taryn taking care of him. He doesn't need me anymore."
Nikki hung up the phone before Aunt Sophia could say anything more. When she tried to put the phone down, it vibrated again. Nikki thought it was Aunt Sophia again and frowned in annoyance, but her brows furrowed when she saw a WhatsApp message coming in.
Aster: [Would it be convenient if we had some time to talk?] Aster: [Image]
The accompanying image was a photo of the medication prescribed for Nikki. In an instant, a thought blossomed in Nikki's mind. He knew the nature of her illness. Before she could think any further, her phone vibrated again.
Aster: [I didn't mean to offend your privacy, but I'm the deputy director of the neurosurgery department at Silveridge Hospital. Your case is somewhat special, and Dr. Brian would have to tell me about it sooner or later.]
Because Nikki had been reluctant to undergo chemotherapy since her diagnosis and had insisted on using only the most basic conservative treatment, Dr. Brian had not yet consulted on her case. However, as Aster said, it was his duty to know about this disease eventually.
Nikki sighed and quickly typed: [Let's discuss treatment plans later.]
There was no reply, so Nikki quickly put down her phone and got busy.
It was past closing time, and many people had left one after another. When Gabe left, it was already past nine o'clock at night. He looked at Mariel and Nikki, who were still in the lab, shook his head with a wry smile, and urged them, "It's getting late, you two. How about we pick this up again tomorrow?"
"Shh, don't make a sound." Mariel was so engrossed in her work that she answered softly.
Gabe frowned slightly, then glanced at Nikki, who was too busy to notice him. "Don't stay out too late. Remember to lock the door," he said before leaving.
Mariel worked for a long time, then looked up at the empty laboratory and glanced at Nikki, whose screen was still lit and who was meticulously working. "Hey, have you calculated the data I need? I've been waiting for you. Can you hurry up?"
Nikki had already calculated and organized the data Mariel needed and placed it beside her. At this moment, she was working on the data that Professor Paul needed, checking it and calculating on draft paper, completely ignoring Mariel.
"Hey. Are you pretending not to hear me? I want."
Before Mariel could continue, Nikki casually uttered two words. "At hand."
Mariel was taken aback, then quickly realized what was happening and rummaged around her station. Sure enough, there was a stack of documents in a very conspicuous place. She picked them up and looked through them, and then her gaze toward Nikki became somewhat unnatural.
"You." Mariel was surprised that Nikki, who had been absent for most of the afternoon, was still able to calculate all the necessary data, and that it was almost exactly as Mariel had expected.
Mariel didn't want to admit it, nor did she want to back down, so she awkwardly stopped talking. After working for a while and getting everything sorted out, she packed her things and prepared to leave.
"Well, it's getting late. You should go home and get some rest, too." Mariel awkwardly threw down the remark and ran away quickly.
Her attitude had already shifted slightly. Nikki smiled, and after calculating the last set of data, she turned off the computer. She got up wearily to stretch, packed her bags, turned off the lights, locked the door, and left.
But as soon as she stepped downstairs, her gaze froze. A car was parked directly opposite the main entrance outside the building. Aster, who had changed out of his white coat and was now wearing a shirt and trousers, leaned casually against the car, looking down at his phone. The quiet scene was like a beautiful painting.
He was clearly waiting for someone. As Nikki continued walking, Aster raised his eyes. The moment he saw her, his eyes brightened. "Nikki, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Nikki frowned and walked over. "How did you end up here?"
Aster was not her attending physician. Even if he were bound by the responsibilities of a deputy director, he shouldn't have come to the patient's workplace to corner her.
Aster smiled, put away his phone, and explained seriously, "I'm sorry. I asked Professor Paul about your recent situation without permission and learned that you had returned to the research institute, so I came here. I was being presumptuous."
With such a sincere explanation, Nikki felt embarrassed to blame him. She said, "Okay. But did you come to see me to talk about my illness and persuade me to undergo chemotherapy?"
Aster's intention was exposed, but he didn't seem embarrassed at all. He just smiled and said, "Not entirely. I want to talk to you about your illness as a friend, and I will definitely respect and consider your personal wishes."
"Nikki." He changed his address and called her by her name, his gaze deepening as he looked down at her. "Since you were diagnosed with the disease, have you told anyone about your condition?"
This was no small matter; it was a matter of life and death. To this day, apart from Dr. Brian, Nikki had never mentioned it to anyone, suppressing her feelings and tormenting herself.
Seeing that Nikki silently avoided his gaze, Aster turned and opened the passenger door. "If it's convenient, shall we go get some late-night snacks together?"
Nikki glanced at him, and then, as if possessed, nodded slightly before stepping into the car.
Unbeknownst to them, a Rolls-Royce pulled up nearby. Its rear window slowly slid down to reveal Lucas's cold and gloomy face. His icy gaze was fixed intently on Nikki as she got into the passenger seat.