Chapter 1

“Alex, are you okay?” Alex’s grandmother’s weak voice came on.

Alex didn’t take his eyes off their hands. He had taken her hand into his from the moment he stepped in and pulled the chair opposite her sick bed.

He stole a glance at her and quickly looked away.

Alex had plenty of medical knowledge, but he could not save his beloved grandmother now.

Because she had no disease, the only problem is she’s running out of her age.

Alex could not change the rule of nature.

“Do you always look this sad before your patients?” she mumbled.

“Not when they are my grandmother.” He sniffled. Tears were already welling up in his eyes but he had vowed not to cry. Not before her. She had thought him to be brave all his life after all.

Alex slowly lifted his head and then their eyes met. He wanted to turn away so badly from the eye lock he had been averting. He could feel the weariness in her forest-green eyes.

“I wish I could save you!”

She flashed a weak smile.

“You’ve done enough Alex.” She managed to voice out after heaving a frustrated sigh.

He swung his head from left to right in filial objection. “I don’t feel so.”

“If only doctors had the power to make people young again.” He muttered under his breath.

She heard it and when she opened her mouth to respond, a giggle escaped.

Alex blinked lovingly at her.

“So...where’s Elisa?”

Alex fell back on the chair while still holding tightly to his grandma like she was his lifeline.

“I left her at home. I guess she’s currently in her private studio, rehearsing one of the songs she wrote.” Alex replied.

Grandmother smiled, but obviously she was kind of disappointed. “It’s OK, Alex, I feel happy for her, she loves her career...but...”

Alex held grandmother’s hand, looked at her.

She said with a hoarse voice, “But I really want to see her, I...don’t know for how long I could live...”

Alex choked with sobs, “You’ll be fine, grandma...”

“It might be the last time.” She blurted, interrupting Alex.

Alex was rendered speechless yet he forced a smile. He slowly released the woman’s fragile hand and stood up. He swept his phone from the table, moved to a corner, and began to dial Elisa’s number.

A few moments later, he heaved a frustrated sigh. When he turned around, he caught his grandmother’s gaze fixated in his direction, eager to find out whether he had gotten across to Elisa.

He tried calling Elisa one more time but she wasn’t responding. He walked up to his grandmother and leaned toward her with a reassuring smile.

“Seems like Elisa is engrossed in her recording session. I couldn’t get her on the phone.”

His grandmother placed her lean hands on her tummy and began to caress it. “Nevermind, Alex. Could you send me some soup? I felt hungry now.”

Alex chuckled and looked down at her. “I’ll go home and make it for you.”

But just when Alex arrived his apartment, he saw a familiar figure.

His wife, Elisa, was there with another man.

Obviously she just cried, her eyes were bloodshot, while that man’s arms surrounded her, slapped her slightly.

Alex recognized that man, it was Elisa’s ex boyfriend, Mark Milton.

3 years ago he dumped her and went abroad. She was hurt badly by him, but now?

Mark explained with a slight voice, “I’m sorry Elisa, I was just...sick, I had to leave. I don’t want you to worry me. But god blessed, I’m recovered...”

Elisa hugged him tightly too, she cried, “I knew it, I knew you would never ditch me...”

Mark touched her hair, “I would never leave you alone, Eli. Divorce that guy and marry me...”

Elisa raised her head happily, but that’s how she saw Alex was there, looking at them coldly.

“Alex...” Elisa’s voice was kind of guilty, “I...it’s not what you saw...”

She tried to explain, but Alex didn’t care what she said.

Mark sneered, for him Alex was just a total loser. If he wanted Elisa, he could get her at any time.

“You’re that lucky guy who married my girl? Tell me, what conditions would you need if I asked you to divorce her?” Mark said arrogantly.

Alex ignored him, he looked at Elisa coldly. “This is how you practice your new song?”

Mark was angry, he couldn’t believe Alex would ignore him, he raised his arms and tried to push Alex.

“I’m talking to you, you...”

But before he could touch Alex, he felt a harsh pain on his belly. Alex kicked heavily on him.

Elisa screamed, “Alex! What are you doing! Mark just recovered!” She ran to Mark and helped him to stand up.

Alex held his fist tightly, “Elisa, grandmother wants to see you.”

Elisa ignored Alex, she held Mark on his car.

“Leave us alone, you rude barbarian! You’d better make a wish that Mark is fine, otherwise...” Elisa said with an evil voice. Alex never heard her speak like that.

Alex’s voice was hoarse, “Elisa, I’m begging you, grandmother is not well, she...might die soon.”

But Elisa didn’t hear it, she closed the window of the car, left without any hesitation.

Alex shut his eyes and exhaled sharply. Was he dreaming or was Elisa playing a prank on him?

The buzzing of his phone crashed into his thoughts. 

His eyes widened when he glanced at the phone screen. It was the nurse assigned to his grandmother’s private ward.