Chapter 4
Lilian’s car headed toward General Hospital.
Online, news of her “death countdown” had exploded.
Every comment section was buzzing: “Honestly, I kind of like Lilian. She’s bold about love and hate. There’s nothing wrong
with being honest about it.”
“Same here. Tons of people like Ethan. As long as she’s not the third party, it’s her right to have feelings.”
“I only learned about her through her videos and that livestream in the hillside villa. It opened my eyes to the iceberg tip of
the wealthy world. It’s a shame she’ll be gone soon.”
“Who’s Ethan’s wife? Can’t she just give way? Lilian only has half a year left.”
“I know! Her name’s Aurora. She used to be a musician. Heard she stopped working after marrying into the rich life. Total
trophy wife!”
In General Hospital.
Aurora’s phone vibrated nonstop. Messages and calls poured in from acquaintances-some checking in, others testing
the waters, and a few outright mocking her. All of them were about Lilian and Ethan.
She had glanced briefly at the headlines and seen the news about Lilian’s terminal illness. She hadn’t read further. It didn’t.
matter anymore.
Once the divorce was finalized, she and Ethan would have nothing to do with each other.
Time passed quickly. She checked the clock and had just lifted her head when she saw Isabella walking over, holding her
purse.
“How are you feeling? Any pain?” Isabella looked at Aurora’s pale face with concern and helped her stand.
Aurora gave a gentle smile and shook her head. Since she had already made up her mind, there were some things she had
to endure.
Isabella could guess what Aurora was thinking, but all she could do was sigh quietly and support her into the elevator.
With a soft chime, the elevator opened on the ground floor.
The hospital was unusually busy today. People bustled back and forth, and Aurora even spotted some members of the
press.
“So many people… and reporters too? Must be another celebrity coming in for treatment. They’re always like this…” Isabella muttered as she scanned the crowd. Suddenly, she stiffened and immediately tried to steer Aurora in the opposite direction.
But it was too late.
Aurora had already seen them.
Those were two familiar figures.
The man stood tall and handsome, exuding confidence. Even in the noisy chaos, his neatly styled hair and tailored Italian
suit were impeccable.
The woman was petite and frail-looking, her complexion pale. She clearly appeared unwell, which made her look all the more pitiful. She stumbled slightly on something, and in the next second, the man caught her and pulled her gently into
his arms, shielding her from curious eyes.
It was Ethan and Lilian.
“Don’t look, don’t look!” Isabella fumed, practically spitting curses at the pair while trying to block Aurora’s view. “Filthy
cheaters.”
“Isabella, let’s go,” Aurora said softly.
She had already decided to leave Ethan. She didn’t want him knowing why she was at the hospital, nor did she want a
dramatic confrontation.
“No, we won’t.” Isabella huffed. “You’re still married, Aurora. Ethan is still your husband, and now he’s publicly clinging to
another woman like that? Disgusting!”
Husband…
Aurora looked away.
There had been a time when that word had filled her with quiet joy.
But now…
“Isabella, I’m not feeling well. Let’s just go back, okay?” she deflected gently.
Immediately, Isabella shifted focus to Aurora’s condition, no longer paying attention to the couple across the lobby.
Aurora walked away from the scene. In the crowd behind them, Lilian cast a glance in their direction, her eyes gleaming
with satisfaction.
“Ethan, I’m so sorry for dragging you into this,” Lilian said guiltily, “I know you don’t like being in the media’s eye, but I…”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s get to the doctor,” Ethan replied with a neutral expression.
Still, a flicker of something-an unease or doubt-passed through him.
He couldn’t quite grasp it, though.
They entered the consultation room together.
Lilian handed her medical file to the doctor.
The deeper the doctor read, the more his brows furrowed.
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“This is very serious,” he said grimly.
Lilian managed a faint smile. “I know.”
She drew in a deep breath and added softly, “Doctor, I’d like a prescription for some stronger and more powerful
painkillers.”
“With your current condition, I’d recommend hospitalization,” the doctor replied. “We should try to extend your life through
active treatment.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Lilian’s smile turned sorrowful.
She dabbed at the corners of her eyes where a tear had begun to form.
“I don’t want treatment.”
Beside her, Ethan tightened his grip on her hand.
But Lilian simply shook her head.
“Doctor, all I want is to live the rest of my days with dignity. Please-just give me the strong painkillers.”
The doctor let out a long sigh, then eventually nodded in understanding.
Outside, reporters snapped photos and streamed everything live.
The internet exploded.
“Oh my god, she’s still alive, but not for long. This is so heartbreaking.”
“I cry when I stub my toe. Imagine what late-stage cancer feels like… and she still smiles through it all? She’s incredible.”
“I bawled when she said she wouldn’t seek treatment. Only those who’ve faced serious illness themselves-or in their
family-can understand how painful that choice is.”
Countless viewers were brought to tears. Public sympathy for Lilian hit an all-time high.
Lilian collected her medication quickly. By the time she and Ethan exited the hospital, Aurora was sitting on a bench just outside, waiting while Isabella fetched the car from the garage.
Aurora hadn’t even registered what was happening when sharp-eyed paparazzi suddenly descended. In seconds, they were surrounded, and the flash of cameras lit up the area.
Ethan noticed her and frowned. His thin lips parted slightly. “Why are you here?”
Aurora stood up. Her eyes moved from Ethan to Lilian’s hand resting in his arm.
Before she could say a word, a nosy reporter stirred the pot.
“Mrs. Steele, did you come after seeing the headlines? Were you here to catch them in the act?”
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“Mrs. Steele, what do you think about your husband showing up in public with another woman?”
“Mrs. Steele, what will you do to Lilian?”
Everyone assumed Aurora had shown up intentionally to confront Lilian. Even Ethan thought the same.
That thought alone made his irritation flare.
“She’s sick, Aurora. You didn’t know?” His voice carried a warning edge.
Aurora could only feel the irony.
So that’s what he thought-that she was targeting Lilian.
As if she even cared enough to stoop that low.
“Aurora!” One reporter shouted when she didn’t respond. Another had already turned to ask Lilian her opinion on being a
third party.
Ethan called out her name, hoping she’d say something-perhaps defend Lilian.
Just like she had in the past.
Always obedient. Always supportive.
But not anymore.
She didn’t even want him now-why should she still play along?
Her right hand instinctively covered her belly. The dull ache in her abdomen still hadn’t subsided.
“I’m here to meet a friend,” Aurora said finally, her voice calm.
With the divorce about to be finalized, she had no intention of revealing her pregnancy. She didn’t want anyone wondering
why she was at the hospital.
The words also served as an answer to Ethan’s question.
Then she turned to leave.
But the reporters weren’t done.
They pushed in front of her, shoving her as they fired off more questions: “Mrs. Steele, are you aware that many netizens
think you should step aside and let Mr. Steele be with Lilian?”
“Mrs. Steele, knowing Lilian is dying, why would you come here and make things harder for her?”
“Mrs. Steele…”
Aurora didn’t want to answer any of it. She just wanted to get away.
The crowd had fought so hard to catch all three of them in one frame-of course they wouldn’t let her go.
Ethan made no move to help her. Amid the Chaos, someone shoved Aurora hard.
She lost her footing, but instinctively curled her arms around her belly to protect it.
