Chapter 4
The next day, Bobby and I walked into the barbershop together.
As the white cape settled around my shoulders, a lock of my long hair was snipped off, just like that.
I closed my eyes, a single tear slipping down my cheek. I was really going to be bald.
Someone walked in with footsteps breaking the silence.
"Who are you looking for?" Bobby asked.
I opened my eyes, and when I saw that face, my breath stopped. It was Ethan.
I opened my mouth, my panic rising. "I-I don't want a haircut now."
We'd met when everything was still beautiful and new. Right now, I just couldn't let him see me at my lowest like this.
Ethan looked at me, but there was no mockery in his eyes.
If I wasn't mistaken, what I saw was a deep, heavy pain.
His dark linen suit made him look even distressed.
Behind him, Derrick Mercer, the director of the hospital, walked in.
Seeing him, I bit my lip.
Bobby froze for a second.
"Mr. Mercer?" I asked.
Derrick glanced at us. "If Mrs. Ashton doesn't want to cut her hair, then let's not cut it."
Bobby nodded and removed the cape from around me.
I stood up with a puzzled look on my face as I glanced at the two men who had just walked in.
Derrick said, "Mr. Ashton, why don't we talk about Mrs. Ashton's condition in the conference room?"
Ethan reached out, like he wanted to take my hand.
I gave him a puzzled look.
Ethan let out a gentle sigh, trying to reassure me. "Come on. Let's go work out a treatment plan together."
I hid my hand behind my back.
Seeing this, Derrick shook his head.
In the end, I still didn't take his hand, but I followed them to the conference room as Dr. Bennett suggested.
"Mrs. Ashton, why didn't you tell us who you were earlier? We could've taken even better care of you," Derrick said.
I shook my head in silence.
Ethan piped up, "Let me see her file."
Derrick handed it over.
Harold took off his glasses, folded his hands together, and lowered his head.
After Ethan finished reading, he closed the file, pinched the bridge of his nose, and then turned to me. "Why don't you head back to your ward for now?"
I didn't say anything. I just stood up and left.
As the door closed behind me, I saw Ethan pull out a lighter.
"I don't have much to say. I have all the money in the world. Use the best medicine and the best treatments. I want her to live," Ethan said.
"Mr. Ashton, that's just not possible," Harold replied.
"There's no such thing as impossible," Ethan shot back.
Then Derrick's voice came again. "Mr. Ashton, please stay calm. We understand how you feel. Rest assured. We've already invited a team of overseas experts to study Mrs. Ashton's case. Maybe they'll find a way."
After the door closed, I walked down the empty and silent hallway.
*****
Two hours later, Ethan walked into my hospital room.
His sudden appearance made the person in the next bed freeze for a moment.
Ethan nodded at the surprised look and walked straight to my bedside.
"Claire, I've arranged a private suite for you. Let's move there," he said.
I met his gaze but stayed silent.
Ethan sat by my bed with his head bowed.
After what felt like forever, he finally looked up. "Claire," he murmured, his hand reaching for my cheek.
I turned my face away. "Don't touch me," I said.
The tension between us became palpable.
Linda glanced over for a moment, then lowered her head and went back to her own business.
I said quietly, "Just go. Please don't come back."
Ethan didn't say a word. He just sat there, unmoving, his back straight and unyielding.
"Ethan, I need to rest," I said, my tone flat.
"Just sleep," he said quietly.
I shot him a puzzled look with a flicker of irritation in my eyes.
He looked down and then stood up. "I'll go take a walk outside," he said.
After Ethan left, Linda looked like she wanted to ask me something.
But in the end, she never did.
I lay down, pulled the blanket over my head, and hid from the world.
Under the covers, my body was shaking uncontrollably.
In the end, Ethan still saw me at my worst.