Chapter 5

I splurged on a private hospital room and hired Magdalena, a caregiver, paying top dollar for her services. Magdalena was nothing short of diligent and nurturing; once she understood my condition, she treated me as if I were her own flesh and blood.

'Ada, you’ve been sneaking chocolate again!' Magdalena chided softly, plucking the half-eaten bar from my grasp.

I feigned innocence, lowering my gaze. 'The medicine tastes awful. I needed something sweet.'

Tears shimmered in Magdalena’s eyes as her voice wavered. 'It’s not good for you right now. Let me get you some candy instead.'

Before I could protest, she was already striding out of the room. She returned swiftly with a bag of milk caramels, unwrapping one and holding it to my lips.

'Try this, it’s sweet. I checked with the nurse—she said a little bit is fine.'

The caramel melted slowly in my mouth, its sweetness not just lingering on my tongue but seeping into my very soul. It was a comforting reminder that someone still cared for me in this world.

Day after day, it was the same routine: pills, needles, and endless discomfort. Tragically, my health declined rapidly. More than once, I caught Magdalena quietly conferring with doctors and nurses, only to retreat to a corner to wipe away her tears.

I confided in Magdalena that aside from the mounting medical bills, I still had a decent sum left. If the inevitable came, I wanted her to handle my final arrangements—cremate me and lay me to rest with my parents. The remainder could serve as her retirement fund.

Magdalena immediately covered my mouth. 'Stop that talk! You’re going to be fine and live for many more years.'

I just smiled, choosing not to argue. But Magdalena was relentless, insisting I recite a little prayer to ward off misfortune, as though that could somehow undo fate’s cruel hand.

The days dragged on, each one a battle against relentless pain. Magdalena worked tirelessly, and I teased her that she was just angling for my inheritance.

Her cheeks flushed with exasperation as she gently tugged my ear. 'I’m doing this so you’ll recover faster.'

After her retort, her defiance crumbled, and her eyes brimmed with tears. I raised my hands in surrender, conceding my fault.

The nurse later whispered to me that Magdalena had discovered how I writhed in agony each night and had requested a cot to stay by my side. My eyes welled up as I rubbed them, my nose tingling with emotion.

'Why aren’t you answering your phone?' Jaiden’s voice snapped over the line.

At that moment, I was hooked up to an IV, the cold liquid seeping through the needle, sending shivers down my spine.

'We’re done, Jaiden. You’re a stranger to me now. I don’t talk to strangers, nor do I answer their calls. Got a problem with that?'

Suppressing the urge to gag, I hung up and promptly blocked every possible way Jaiden could reach me. The silence that followed was blissful.

True to his entitled nature, Jaiden called every friend and colleague I had, trying to track me down. Soon, my phone was inundated with calls and messages, buzzing nonstop all day.

Magdalena glanced at me with concern. 'What’s going on?'

I sighed helplessly. 'Just a stubborn man-child who refuses to grow up.'

Finally, I caved and called Jaiden back.

'What’s your deal? All this chasing—isn’t your precious Emery getting jealous?'

To my surprise, Jaiden’s tone was soft. 'Ada, come back to work. Even though we’re divorced, you’re still the Vice President of Armstrong Co…'

For a fleeting moment, I let myself imagine that maybe, just maybe, Jaiden missed me. Perhaps he wasn’t used to my sudden absence, or perhaps there was a flicker of regret for the choices he’d made. But reality hit hard: he just wanted me back to keep being his workhorse.