After chiding himself derisively, Colby looked up at Lucian with a look of disapproval. “No, you can’t just let him have his way.”
Lucian furrowed his brows at those words. “Jack is doing this to drive a wedge between you,” Colby said quietly. “If you do as he asked, he will get what he wants. You and Dr. Jarvis have stayed together all these years. Shouldn’t that count for something? Hold on to the very end, for her sake. If she knows this, I think she will fight to her dying breath for you and the children.” As if sensing his inappropriate tone, Colby took a deep breath, his features hard with resolve, as he continued, “You need to have more faith in her and us doctors. We will definitely think of something.”
Those were the last words Lucian expected from him. A complicated mix of emotions arose in his eyes. “You would see me with Roxanne?” he asked, unable to contain himself.
He remembered how relentless Colby had been just to draw Roxanne’s attention to his existence. Even after his arrest, Colby had insisted he did nothing wrong. However, at that moment, he seemed to have become another person.
Colby’s eyes flashed, and he averted his gaze stiffly. “Before today, I have always thought you were unworthy of Dr. Jarvis. Nobody was good enough for her.”
Even I myself am far from worthy. He then turned quickly to glance at Lucian. “I have seen how much you are willing to sacrifice for her. Dr. Jarvis likes you, and you treat her well. That’s good enough. She’s better off with you than with somebody with impure motives.”
Lucian stood before him. “Are you remorseful for what you’ve done?” he asked in a low voice. Colby smiled bitterly. “What difference does that make? I will never forgive myself for nearly causing Dr. Jarvis’ death over my selfishness.”
He looked up at Lucian and spoke with a tone filled with hatred and disgust for himself. “People are insatiable creatures. Initially, I was happy just working with her. Then, I wanted to be as close as possible to her, so I became her assistant. Not long after that, I wanted her to look at me like how she looks at you. My desire grew as the days passed. I don’t even know what I was doing.”
Lucian studied him, trying to discern the sincerity in his words. Colby sighed. “Now that I look back on the two mistakes I’ve made, regardless of whether it was starting the fire or sabotaging the laboratory, the slightest lapse in vigilance could have caused a major catastrophe. Aside from Dr. Jarvis, the other researchers in the research institute might have lost their lives by my hand. I deserve to be where I am for my crimes.”
Having confessed his feelings to Roxanne on the day of his arrest, he finally understood that when he was escorted into the police car. However, it was too late for contrition.
Because of that, Colby had never considered submitting an appeal to overturn his conviction. Instead, he wished to serve his sentence to alleviate the quilt within him.
“What do you plan to do after you get out?” Lucian asked unexpectedly. Colby was stunned. He seemed to have never considered the matter.
He lowered his gaze for several seconds before answering, “Maybe I’ll become a traveling doctor, as my chances of employment at a research institute or hospital are uncertain. As long as people believe in me, I will provide free medical treatment to compensate for what I’ve done.”
After observing him for a while, Lucian gathered enough to ascertain every word of his rang true “What about Roxanne?” he asked. “You still owe her an apology.” Colby’s eyes flashed with guilt. “I will apologize. to her. She is still the best doctor I’ve ever known.”
Lucian nodded meaningfully at that. Colby frowned, puzzled. “You don’t believe me?”
“I do, which is why I want to make you an offer on Roxanne’s behalf to have you come back to the research institute after you get out.”
Colby’s eyes widened with disbelief. “W-What did you say?” After all the awful things I’ve done, Lucian still wants me to work alongside Roxanne. Did I hear him right? What could have possessed him to do so?
“I would like you to return to work at the research institute after your sentence ends,” Lucian repeated calmly. “As you said, you are the longest-serving assistant of Roxanne’s. Though you have done wrong, you have made amends in time, showing me you have truly repented. You’re welcome to work alongside Roxanne again after your release.”
Colby still had not regained his composure. Suddenly, Lucian changed the subject as his expression grew stern.
“However, you will be under my supervision. I guarantee you will be thousands of times worse off if you get any ideas.”
Colby took a long time to gather himself before nodding slowly, still stupefied with disbelief. Lucian retracted his gaze. “I want to thank you for your words earlier. I won’t give in, and Roxanne will get better.”
Colby felt a sudden sense of relief at those words. “She will. I hope you’ll let me know when you get married so I can wish you well.”
Lucian inclined his head. The men exchanged a final glance in silence. Colby watched Lucian leave before allowing himself to be escorted back to his cell.
With his mind buzzing with Colby’s words as he emerged from the facility, Lucian gradually regained his calm..
I have done everything I can. From here, it’s only waiting and hoping. Either the doctors will think of something before the deadline, or I will have to give in to Jack. Before then, the only thing I can do is with Roxanne. Spurred by that thought, he stepped on the gas and sped toward the hospital.
It was dusk when he arrived. Lucian had Cayden pick up dinner for the medical specialists at the hospital. They dined on the large table in the conference room. Still uneasy, Madilyn remained by Roxanne’s bed. She stood up upon his arrival. “How did it go?
Did you discover anything?” Lucian shook his head, but his expression did not look as pale as when he had left. There was even a glimmer of optimism in his eyes.
“Nothing yet, but I believe no harm will come to Roxanne.” After speaking, he observed Madilyn’s expression. Being fraught with worry for two days straight did Madilyn’s pallor no good. Her eyes and brow were lined with fatigue.
“Go get some rest,” Lucian said. “I had Cayden book some rooms in the hotel next door. Everybody needs a good night’s rest.”
Madilyn glanced at Roxanne, her brows furrowing. “I’m worried about her. Besides, I rested the night before. You, on the other hand, need some. Roxanne will be sad if she wakes. up and sees you like this.”
Lucian nodded. “I’ll stay with her tonight and get some rest here. You’ve been running around the entire day and will continue to do so tomorrow. We cannot handle the consequences. of any mishap from fatigue.”
At that, Madilyn finally nodded. “If anything unusual happens to her, call me. I’H keep my phone on,” she reminded him before leaving
Lucian nodded. Only then did Madilyn feel assured enough to depart with the group, who were still discussing Roxanne’s condition on their way to the hotel.
“I had heard of Dr. Jarvis when she was abroad, but by her Ustranasion name. I thought she was around our age. Imagine my shock when I found out she was Dr. Lambert’s disciple, who was in her twenties!”
“Exceptional traditional medicine practitioners are becoming increasingly rare. What a shame that something like this happened to this one.”
“Mr. Farwell has not slept in two days for Dr. Jarvis. I pity the young couple. We can’t let anything happen to her.”
Madilyn gradually regained some faith as shel listened to the group’s chatter. With so many talented doctors working together, in addition to Old Mr. Lomax’s assistance, nothing will happen to Roxanne!
At the same time, she felt thankful. It’s fortunate that Roxanne is with Lucian. If not for the Farwell family’s wealth, we wouldn’t have been able to hire this many skilled doctors.
Following Madilyn’s departure, pin-drop silence filled the air inside the ward. Lucian dragged a chair over and sat beside the bed. He grasped Roxanne’s hand with a tender look spread across his face.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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