Luana slowly regained consciousness, her eyes fluttering open to find Cline and Albion vanished, replaced by Clarissa, whose face was etched with worry.
She realized she had just had a nightmare, one that traversed the past and people she wished to never see again.
Shaking off the lingering images, she swallowed the dryness in her throat and reached for water, only to find her arm hooked up to an IV.
"You had a high fever, so I brought you to the hospital," Clarissa explained, seeing Luana's delirious state.
She then picked up a water cup and helped her take a sip.
The sweet water flowed down Luana's throat, bringing her back to life a little.
"Clarissa..." she whispered.
"Hmm?" Clarissa responded gently, tucking a strand of hair damp with sweat behind Luana's ear. "Are you hungry?"
Luana shook her head weakly and asked, "What did the doctor say to you?"
She had been preoccupied with her heart failure and hadn't figured out how to talk to Clarissa about it. Unexpectedly, she ended up in the hospital, and Clarissa likely knew everything now.
"The doctor didn't say much. Seeing you in a feverish coma, they started an IV drip and took some blood. The results should be out by now," Clarissa said, getting up to fetch the report. "I'll go get it."
Luana quickly stopped her, saying, "Clarissa, I'm a bit hungry. Could you get me something to eat first..."
Nodding, Clarissa replied, "You wait here. I'll get you some food."
Watching Clarissa leave with her bag, Luana mustered the strength to get up.
She wheeled her IV stand to the report machine and retrieved the results.
She knew that heart failure could be detected through blood tests, and she didn't want Clarissa to see this report, fearing it would cause her grief and confront her with the impending death.
Luana tore the report into pieces and threw it in the trash, ensuring Clarissa wouldn't see it.
As she turned to wheel her IV back to the ward, she saw a convoy of luxury cars pulling up outside the emergency room.
A group of bodyguards in black suits alighted, surrounding Cline as he stepped out of the car, carrying Runa.
Seeing his anxious demeanor, Luana's heart sank.
She remembered when she had been rushed to the emergency room due to a heart attack while with him.
What was his reaction then?
He stood by her bedside, looking down at her with disdain as she writhed in pain, tossing a bank card at her as if she were a beggar, thinking she was faking for sympathy and more money.
A bitter smile tugged at Luana's lips, tears welling up in her eyes.
No matter how wronged and resentful she felt, she turned around, her steps stiff but resolute.
He had said never to appear before him again, and she intended to keep that promise.
The remaining time she had, any encounter with Cline would be a mere passing by, never to meet again.
The footsteps grew closer, each step feeling like a stomp on her heart, causing her pain throughout her body.
Cline passed by her without even a glance, just as she expected.
Once a man turns heartless, there's no reminiscing on past affection, especially when there was never any to begin with.
Luana lifted her chin, determined not to let tears fall. It was just an ex-lover. It was no big deal.
She wheeled her IV towards the ward as Clarissa returned with soup, rushing over when she saw Luana up.
"You've just reduced the fever. You shouldn't be wandering around. Are you trying to risk your life?" Clarissa scolded, helping Luana sit back on the bed. "You have a heart condition. You must be careful."
Luana felt a warmth in her heart and smiled, saying, "I went to get the report."
Clarissa, opening the soup, said, "I could have fetched it for you. Why did you run around?"
She then reached out, concerned, "Where's the report? Let me see it."
Luana blinked, not wanting to deceive Clarissa but still lying, "I showed it to the doctor and left it in their consultation room."
Clarissa, hearing this, didn't think much of it, more concerned about Luana's health. "What did the report say?"
Luana replied, "It's just a blood test. There's nothing to worry about."
Clarissa stopped stirring the soup, looking at Luana seriously, "You're not like others. You have a heart condition. Blood tests are crucial."
Smiling, Luana reassured her, "I know. The doctor said everything is normal with my heart. There's nothing to worry about."
Only then did Clarissa relax, handing Luana the prepared soup. "I bought your favorite soup."
Luana took the soup, sipping it slowly.
Clarissa, looking at Luana's pale face, hesitated to speak.
She had just heard Luana call out for Albion.