More Than A Favor

Chapter 149

Alice’s face lit up with a hopeful smile. “Do you have an idea, Elaine?”

Thesitated.

I did have an idea, but it was one that even Ashton wouldn’t dare to consider. How could I?

If the surgery succeeded, it would be a miracle. But if it failed, Ashton’s inability to forgive me would be the least of our problems. Losing Alice would destroy him.

My silence lingered too long, and Alice interpreted it as the absence of hope.

“You don’t, do you?” she said softly, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Her gaze dropped to the ground, and she sighed. “Even Ashton doesn’t dare to try because of the risks involved. I know my condition isn’t something anyone has much faith in.”

Despite her words, Alice smiled gently, as if trying to shield me from her despair. She wasn’t someone who would let her own feelings burden others.

“It’s okay, Elaine,” she said with quiet resilience. “I’m happy now. I’ll just live until the day I die. Who knows? I might even make it to my hundredth birthday.”

The more she spoke, the more my heart ached for her.

How could I let such a beautiful soul resign herself to this fate?

I leaned forward slightly, meeting her gaze. “I have a friend who’s a doctor. She studied abroad and works as an obstetrician and gynecologist now. But she has a lot of friends in the medical field, including cardiologists.”

“Really?” Alice’s eyes lit up instantly, shimmering with a newfound hope.

“Of course,” I said, nurturing that spark in her. “I came here to understand your condition better.”

Though my words were meant to comfort her, I also wanted to plant the possibility of surgery in her mind.

Even as I understood the gravity of the risks, I found myself unable to resist the eagerness in Alice’s eyes.

Life, for most people, felt like a journey toward a destination. But for Alice, it was about much more than that. She dreamed of a healthy life, free from the constraints of her illness.

Her life here, though idyllic and beautiful, was also a prison.

She yearned for more than the fairytale–like yard that surrounded her. She wanted to climb mountains, swim in the ocean, ride bicycles, and run freely through open fields. She wanted to explore the world beyond the fences of her sanctuary, to live her life with the people she loved.

her back, forcing her to

having children felt like

saw as freedom in her lifestyle was, to her, extreme loneliness.

time collecting river water, which had seemed so enchanting to me, was simply a way for her to fill the emptiness in her

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Thank you, Elaine,” Alice said suddenly, lifting

repeated

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illuminate her entire being. She was radiant with happiness, her

sat together in the yard, drinking tea and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Afterward, Alice led me into the house and showed me Ashton’s

Elaine. Look at how neatly

a large window that offered a stunning view of

My attention was drawn to a few

to be photographs here. I have some

of our parents when they were younger, but I don’t remember much

were old, taken with the same techniques as the ones my parents had

carrying an older one. It was easy

our father left after this photo was taken,” Alice said quietly. Her words made my chest tighten.

the sadness of her story to affect my mood, so I turned my attention to another photograph. This one showed Ashton carrying a girl on his back.

this you and your brother?” I asked.

smiled faintly. “Of course not. That’s his…”

saw her stick her tongue out slightly, as

dumb. I smiled knowingly. “Was that

face turned pale with fear, and she quickly shook her head. Her grip on

it all wrong,” she said frantically. “That’s not it at all. Ash has never liked any other

a mistake to tease her

“Look at you, getting all worked up. I know, Ashton already told me he’s never had a

still added, “He’s never liked any

was pure, untouched by the harshness of

help but worry. When Alice eventually fell in

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