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.

held her back, forcing her to live a

married, and having children felt like distant, unattainable dreams.

saw as freedom in her lifestyle

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

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< Chapter 149

suddenly, lifting

repeated firmly.

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word seemed to illuminate her entire being. She was radiant with

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

stay in my brother’s room, Elaine. Look at how neatly I’ve kept

a large window that

down and began to examine the room’s decor. My attention was drawn to a few photographs

didn’t expect there to be photographs here. I have some at home, too,” I said, walking closer to inspect them.

as she explained, “My brother says these are photos 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

photo, Ashton’s mother was holding a young child, and his father was carrying an older one. It was easy to tell that the

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

I turned my attention to another photograph. This one showed Ashton carrying a girl on his back. The photo

this you and your brother?” I asked.

course not. That’s his…”

mid–sentence, her expression shifting. I saw her stick her tongue out slightly,

I smiled knowingly. “Was that

fear, and she quickly shook her head.

frantically. “That’s not it at all. Ash

her. It was a mistake to tease

tapped her nose lightly, trying to calm her. “Look at you, getting all worked up. I know, Ashton already told me he’s never had a

“He’s never liked any other girl,

touching. Alice was pure, untouched by the harshness of the world.

eventually fell in love, would she be able to handle the inevit

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