Chapter 2
Lance sounded pleasantly surprised on the other end of the line. “I’m glad you’ve finally seen sense, Ian! I know what your concerns are—I’ll help you apply for a scholarship and think of ways to pay for your girlfriend’s treatments. At worst, we can have a charity drive on campus…”
“That won’t be necessary, Professor White,” Ian said, gently interrupting him. “I can pay for tuition myself, so leave the scholarship funds for people who need it more. As for the medical treatments… I don’t need money for that anymore.”
Lance didn’t notice anything was wrong. He thought Ian had gotten the money he needed and was happy for the latter. “That’s great! This means you can study abroad without any worries. There’s about half a month before you need to report for class, so take this time to deal with everything you need to back here.”
“Thanks, Professor White.” Ian didn’t explain anything. He clutched the straps of his bag tightly after hanging up.
He didn’t waste any more time at the hospital and left to bank in the cash to pay for the tuition. Then, he bought a ticket for a flight abroad in two weeks. He had two thousand dollars left once he was done with everything.
He pressed a hand to his abdomen, which still hurt a little. Then, he smiled miserably at the balance in his bank account.
He couldn’t help feeling glad—glad that he’d heard the truth before giving the money to Leila.
…
Ian returned to Leila’s hospital ward. He found that she was alone this time. He pursed his lips before opening the door.
Leila had made sure to keep her mocking attitude hidden. She was back to being his endearing girlfriend. “Why are you so late today, Ian?”
He curled his fingers slightly as he lowered his gaze. “I got held back by something at college.”
She didn’t suspect anything. Instead, she held his hand and looked into his eyes, the excitement in her gaze unmissable. “I have good news for you.”
Ian paused. Then, he asked, “What is it?”
“The doctor just came and told me that my cancer was a misdiagnosis. I’m not sick after all!”
He knew it. He shut his eyes and thought about the message he’d seen on Leila’s phone, which had been lit up just a second ago.
Connor had sent a message in a group chat. “Lili, hurry up and tell that pathetic idiot your cancer is a misdiagnosis. I’d kill to see his reaction when he learns all the money he’s spent on you has gone to waste! It’d be so interesting!”
The rest of the people in the group agreed and complimented him on his fantastic idea. Someone even bet that Ian would vent his anger on Leila.
The last message Ian had seen was from Leila. “Roger that, my darling.”
For the past two years, Leila had catered to Ian’s every need, making him think he’d found the perfect, devoted girlfriend. It turned out her attitude was aligned with Connor’s orders.
Ian was nothing but a toy to them and their friends. Still, he smiled and said, “I’m glad you’re fine.”
His calm reaction surprised Leila. After a brief moment of hesitation, she said in grievance, “It’s all my fault for not getting a second opinion at another hospital. Your hard-earned money wouldn’t have gone to waste if I had.”
Ian shook his head. “Every cent used on you is worth it.”
He would treat the money as payment for the happiness she’d made him feel over the past two years. Spending 60 thousand dollars on a couple of years with Leila, the Sutherland family’s heiress, was a win for him, no matter how he looked at it.
His words struck Leila’s heart like a hammer. As the heiress of an affluent family, she’d grown up being surrounded by people who flattered her and pretended to care about her. She’d long since grown immune to their fake pleasantries.
Ian wasn’t the same as them, though. He had no idea who she really was, so everything he said came from the heart. He’d willingly spent the money he’d painstakingly saved over four years on her and hadn’t had a single complaint despite learning that the money had gone down the drain.
Leila’s eyes flickered with emotion as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you, Ian.”
He lowered his gaze to hide the mockery in it.
…
When they returned to their apartment in the suburbs, Leila flopped onto their small bed and said, “Our bed at home is still the most comfortable one ever.”
Ian said softly, “It’s been tough on you.”
It had been tough on her, deigning to sleep on such a tiny bed with him for the past two years when she could’ve stayed in a villa and slept on a spacious bed.
Well, it didn’t matter. They would both soon be free of this torment.
