BIT

Chapter 21

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Alicia stood between Rebecca and Harvey, an infuriating smile on her face, her arms crossed over her chest. Rebecca yanked her hand away from Harvey’s grasp, grabbed her bag, and prepared to leave. Suddenly, Harvey grabbed her hand again, stopping

her.

“We’re not done yet,” Harvey said in his distinctive, charismatic voice.

Alicia glared, pulling Harvey’s hand away from Rebecca. “Have you lost your mind? In case you forgot, this woman right here is the one who cunningly accused me of causing her accident! Wake up, Harvey! She just wanted to use you. Don’t be fooled!” she ranted furiously.

Alicia’s words didn’t provoke Rebecca at all. She snorted disdainfully and looked up sharply at her ex–husband. “Shame on you!” she hissed in his face then quickly walked out of the cafe without glancing at Alicia.

“Becky, wait!” Harvey shouted.

“Harvey, for God’s sake, you know what will happen if you leave me?” Alicia threatened,

Rebecca shivered instantly, slowing her steps and looking back at Alicia holding Harvey’s hand. ‘What does that devil woman really want from Harvey?”

As Rebecca stood by the roadside waiting for a cab, a motorcycle sped by and nearly hit her, but someone quickly pulled her to safety, She looked up in shock to find Nicholas gazing at her with concern.

“Nic?” Rebecca whispered, astonished.

Nicholas sighed in relief. “Thank God you’re okay.” He released Rebecca from his embrace and straightened her slightly disheveled hair.

Rebecca frowned, certain Nicholas’s presence wasn’t a coincidence. “Why a suddenly here?” she asked, not bothering to hide her suspicion. First Alicia, now Nicholas Rebecca was sure they had a connection.

yo

you

Nicholas gave a small smile. “I asked one of the Arnault Saverio crew, and they said you came here,” he replied casually.

“Really? I don’t recall telling anyone,” Rebecca murmured, uncertain. Nicholas smiled.

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Chapter 21

“You told Dave. Do you want me to call him?”

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“No, sorry. So why did you follow me here?” Rebecca asked, glancing into the cafe to see Harvey and Alicia, but a large potted plant blocked her view.

Nicholas sighed. “I need you to come with me to the hospital.”

“What? Why are you going to the hospital?” Rebecca asked, frowning in confusion.

“Can we talk in my car?” Nicholas pointed to a car parked not far from where they were talking. Rebecca clenched her cold fingers, wondering why staying away from Nicholas was so hard for her.

“I think I may have cancer,” Nicholas said abruptly.

Rebecca stared in shock. “What? You’re joking, right? There’s no way you have cancer. You’re the healthiest person I know,” she replied incredulously.

Nicholas gave a thin smile. “I’m just as skeptical as you, but the hospital lab results will prove it,” he muttered bitterly. Rebecca looked deeply at Nicholas, wanting to make sure he was serious, but she found no hint of deception.

“Okay then,” Rebecca said. No matter how annoyed she was with Nicholas, she couldn’t ignore him when he needed her. She suddenly heard a loud snort as they were about to get into the car. She turned to see Alicia glaring at her while holding Harvey’s arm.

“Look at her! She doesn’t look miserable or heartbroken. She’s even enjoying life with her high school boyfriend. So save your empathy for someone who needs it most, and that person is me!” Alicia shouted at Harvey, loud enough for Rebecca and Nicholas to hear.

Rebecca paused, feeling the urge to pick up a rock and throw it at Alicia, but Nicholas shook his head and said, “Engaging with crazy people will only make you look just as crazy.”

“You’re right,” Rebecca said, stepping into the car elegantly. From the rearview mirror, she could see Alicia still trying to make Harvey smile, but failing as Harvey’s eyes. remained focused on Nicholas’s car, as if he wanted to jump out and force Rebecca to come back.

Nicholas’s car weaved through the heavy New York City traffic. Rebecca leaned back in her seat, glancing at Nicholas and studying his face intently. “So what made you think you have cancer?” she asked, curious because Nicholas didn’t seem sick at all.

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Chapter 21

Nicholas sighed deeply. “I never told you this but I often have severe headaches that sometimes make me vomit. So, a while ago, I had it checked, and the doctor said abnormal cells were growing in my head. Today, I want to confirm what those cells are.”

Suddenly, Rebecca was overwhelmed with guilt. She knew she shouldn’t have doubted Nicholas. She had known him since high school; how could she think there was a connection between Nicholas and Alicia?

“I’m sorry-”

“No, it’s fine! I’ve prepared myself for the worst,” Nicholas replied calmly, his reaction making Rebecca feel even more guilty.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the hospital. Despite feeling exhausted from a day of shooting and photo sessions, Rebecca accompanied Nicholas inside..

“That’s my doctor,” Nicholas said, pointing to an office named Chloe Donovan on its door. Rebecca nodded slowly. “Should I go in with you?”

Nicholas shook his head. “No, just wait here, okay? I’d feel more comfortable seeing the doctor alone,” he said, standing up and gently ruffling Rebecca’s hair..

“Okay.”

Rebecca nodded slowly, wondering why Nicholas asked her to come if he didn’t want her with him when he saw the doctor. She watched Nicholas’s back as he walked away, briefly considering that he might be lying. However, seeing the hospital’s credibility made her dismiss the thought; that such a hospital couldn’t employ an unqualified doctor.

About thirty minutes later, Nicholas emerged from the doctor’s office, holding a large envelope that looked like MRI results. Rebecca stood up, looking at Nicholas impatiently.

“How was it?” she asked, taking the envelope from his hand.

Nicholas slumped into a chair next to Rebecca and sighed deeply. He stared at the floor, nervously clenching his fingers. “Stage three glioblastoma,” he said, his voice choked with emotion.

Rebecca’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Are you sure about this?”

Nicholas nodded stiffly. He bent over, covering his face with his hands. “I’ve never been

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Chapter 21

this scared in my life…”

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“Oh Nic, I’m sorry. We’ll get through this together, okay?” Rebecca said, gently rubbing Nicholas’s back.

Suddenly, Nicholas straightened up, looking at Rebecca with hope. “Marry me!”