What Separates Me and You

Chapter 231 Will to Live

“It’s hard to say. She’s still young, so her condition can still be managed as long as she takes the medication,” Dr. Halliday explained. Realizing that he had veered off topic, he paused and then changed it back. “This illness will cause progressive memory loss. Not only will she be unable to remember what happened the day before, but she will also start to forget more and more things as the illness progresses, including the past. Eventually, she won’t remember anyone, including herself. From the many cases I’ve studied, most patients do not die from the illness but rather from accidents or going missing. Naturally, there are a few fortunate ones who lived long enough to the point of forgetting how to walk and eat… and end up in a vegetative state.” He took a deep breath before saying what was considered the best outcome.

Caring for someone in a vegetative state required a lot of energy and funds, which he believed someone like Lewis was more than capable of. The only question was-how long could Josephine’s body hold out? Based on her current condition, it didn’t look like she had enough will to live to last until the vegetative state stage.

Lewis lit yet another cigarette after listening to Dr. Halliday’s explanation. He inhaled it so quickly that it looked as though he would finish it in only two breaths. However, he seemed to have inhaled too hard on the final one as he choked and immediately began coughing. The sound of his coughing echoed throughout the study and was akin to a patient who was suffering from tuberculosis.

“Mr. Alvarez…”

Lewis coughed for quite some time before grabbing the mug of cold coffee off the table and taking a swig out of it. His complexion quickly returned to normal, and he placed the mug back down before looking at Dr. Halliday. “Is there a treatment plan?”

“There isn’t one currently,” Dr. Halliday said as he shook his head woefully. “But I will do my best to find one. I’ve been spending my recent time researching this illness.”

“How effective is the medication you mentioned?”

“Although it has an inhibitory effect, it cannot be administered as the sole treatment plan. However, it is still necessary to take it to slow down the rate of her condition’s deterioration,” Dr. Halliday replied.

Lewis nodded. “You may leave.”

Discreetly breathing a sigh of relief, Dr. Halliday had just only reached the door when Lewis suddenly called out to him. “Wait.”

Dr. Halliday halted his stride and instantly felt a chill creep up his spine. Stiffening before the door, he mechanically turned his head and strained a smile. “Yes, Mr. Alvarez?”

Lewis was glaring at him. “Is there anything else that you’re keeping from me?”

Dr. Halliday’s neck tensed, and he forcefully swallowed before responding, “I don’t think so

Lewis’ eyes narrowed, and it looked as though a murderous intent had flashed across them. Dr. Halliday’s statement was full of loopholes, but Lewis didn’t question him further. “There better not be,” Lewis warned.

is just this one

temper scared Dr. Halliday so much that he fumbled as he

ran out.

farther away remained untouched as she waited for Lewis to join her. Dr. Halliday hesitated as

gazing upstairs. Lewis still had yet to come downstairs, and the food

“Enter.”

open the door, the scent of cigarettes greeted her, permeating the room despite its large size. She couldn’t fathom how many sticks he had smoked with the window closed. Walking up to him, she raised her hands and

The smoke from it filled the space between them like a wall. Despite her best efforts, Josephine found it difficult to discern his expression, obscured by the haze that

put out his cigarette and reached out toward

him, and stared at him.

his, he, too, looked at her. “What do

a lot of things, but she didn’t know

“Do

still remember

Dr. Halliday, she only remembered his name and appearance but nothing

“Sierra?”

Sierra?

214

up when he had never done so in front of her in

at her for some time before slowly forcing out his next words. “Do you still remember Mrs. Jinkins?” His gaze was glued to her

blank. However, she felt a faint ache in her heart. Her subconscious was telling her that the person was probably important to her, but she had

remember anymore?”

Josephine nodded.

of cigarette smoke. The scent was slightly suffocating, and she could smell them on his sleeves. Even his collar and shoulders carried the distinct odor of

smoke.