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

in temper scared Dr. Halliday so

ran out.

dishes in front of her. The ones farther away remained untouched as she waited for Lewis to join her. Dr. Halliday hesitated as he stared at her back but didn’t say anything and merely collected his equipment before gloomily driving

to come downstairs, and the food was getting cold. She stood up, headed

“Enter.”

fathom how many sticks he had smoked with the window closed. Walking up to him, she raised her

the space between them like a wall. Despite her best

and reached out toward her. “Come here.”

stood next to him, and

too, looked at

repeated question. She still remembered a lot of things, but she

“Do

still remember

only remembered his name and appearance but nothing

“Sierra?”

Retracting her hands, she lowered her head and didn’t respond, but her reaction was a clear answer. How could she possibly forget Sierra? That woman was permanently engraved in her mind and was the reason

214

he had never done so in front

you still remember Mrs. Jinkins?” His gaze was

tried hard to recall this person, but her mind was blank. However, she felt a faint ache in her heart. Her subconscious was telling her that

don’t remember

Josephine nodded.

body smelled heavily of cigarette smoke. The scent was slightly suffocating, and she could smell them on his sleeves. Even his collar and shoulders carried

smoke.