The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 268

Crystal’s eyes blazed with a wild, desperate intensity—she’d long since lost her grip on reason.

Rebecca took in the sight of Crystal, now fully unhinged. She knew nothing she said would get through anymore.

Turning away, Rebecca made up her mind to leave, unwilling to get entangled in Crystal’s madness any longer. “Take care of yourself, Crystal. I hope you come to your senses soon—and stop hurting the people around you.”

She hesitated at the door, then added, her voice colder, “And if Granddad’s illness really has anything to do with you—don’t think it’s only me. My parents, my brothers… none of us will ever forgive you.”

The words hit Crystal like a slap. She flinched, and for a moment, something complicated flickered across her face.

Fear crept into her eyes, mingled with a rising fury.

Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to retort, but the words wouldn’t come. Her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms, but she seemed numb to the pain.

...

Elsewhere in the hospital, William stepped into a quiet office, his brow furrowed with concern. “Mr. Lee, you wanted to see me?”

Uncertainty clouded William’s face; he had no idea why Mr. Lee had called him in, but an uneasy feeling gnawed at his gut, as if bad news was looming.

Mr. Lee motioned for him to sit. His expression was grave, his eyes heavy with worry, which only made William’s apprehension grow.

William met his gaze, forcing out, “Please, just tell me what’s going on.”

He was a doctor, for God’s sake. How hadn’t he noticed something was wrong? He felt like he’d failed his grandfather—not just as a physician, but as a grandson.

Mr. Lee’s tone softened. “Honestly, your grandfather hid it remarkably well. You know the symptoms of late-stage lung cancer—if there’d been anything obviously wrong, you’d have noticed. He must have done everything possible to keep you all from finding out… He didn’t want to worry you.”

There was genuine sympathy in Mr. Lee’s words; he understood why the old man had kept his suffering secret.

William sat in silence, eyes clouded with sorrow and indecision. Grief gnawed at him, but now he was torn by a new anguish—how could he possibly break this news to his family?

He finally spoke, voice barely above a whisper. “Mr. Lee… Is there any way to cure my grandfather?”

Mr. Lee shook his head, his reply heavy with regret. “The cancer’s already far advanced. Even with the best medicine available, there’s no way to make him well again. If we push aggressive treatments, we’ll only prolong his suffering. The best we can do is keep him comfortable—make sure his final days are as peaceful as possible.”