CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4: SHE AND JULIAN LAWSON, NO LONGER CONNECTED

Vera Hansen’s car drove toward First Hospital.

The online frenzy regarding Vera Hansen’s death countdown had already erupted.

Comment sections were buzzing with discussions.

"Honestly, I think Vera Hansen is pretty decent, bold in love and hate, nothing wrong with admitting it."

"I agree with the one above; lots of people like Julian Lawson. As long as she’s not a homewrecker, her liking him is her own business."

"Because of her uploaded video and the live broadcast at Serenity Peak Villa, I got a glimpse of a corner of the rich world. It’s a pity she’ll be gone soon."

"Who is Julian Lawson’s wife anyway? Can’t she step aside? Vera Hansen only has six months left."

"I know this one, some musician named Serena Sterling, heard she stopped working after marrying into a wealthy family, a pampered wife!"

...

First Hospital.

Serena Sterling’s phone kept vibrating with many calls and messages from acquaintances, be them greetings, probes, or mocking remarks, all related to Vera Hansen and Julian Lawson.

She had just glanced at the online news and found out about Vera Hansen’s death countdown.

She didn’t look at the follow-up.

It didn’t matter anymore.

After the cooling-off period, she and Julian Lawson would no longer be related.

Time flew by; she looked at the time and just as she raised her head, she saw Bianca Lynch arriving with a bag.

"How do you feel? Any discomfort?" Bianca Lynch saw Serena Sterling looking pale and worriedly helped her up.

Serena Sterling smiled and shook her head.

Since she had made her decision, some things were just what she had to endure.

Bianca Lynch knew what Serena Sterling was thinking, but she could only sigh softly and help Serena Sterling take the elevator downstairs.

"Ding." As the elevator opened, they arrived on the ground floor.

People were coming and going in the hospital, but today seemed exceptionally crowded; Serena Sterling even noticed the presence of media.

"So many people, and reporters too, must be some celebrity coming for a check-up again, they always do this..." Bianca Lynch rambled on and then seemed to spot something; her face changed, and she immediately tried to drag Serena Sterling in the opposite direction.

But it was too late; Serena Sterling had already seen it.

These were two familiar figures.

The man was tall, handsome, and exuded a remarkable presence. Even in such a noisy environment, his meticulously styled hair and Italian handmade suit were impeccable as ever.

The woman was petite and frail, looking very pale, seemingly ill, but this made her appear even more pitiful.

She stumbled, seemingly tripping over something, and the next moment, the man supported her into his arms, shielding her from prying eyes.

It was Julian Lawson and Vera Hansen.

"Don’t look, don’t look!" Bianca Lynch was furious, cursing the unfaithful pair while trying to block Serena Sterling’s view.

"Joy, let’s leave." Having decided to leave Julian Lawson, Serena Sterling didn’t want him to know why she had come to the hospital, nor did she want an unexpected encounter at this moment.

"Leave for what?" Bianca Lynch was even angrier. "You’re only in the cooling-off period now, not divorced yet. Julian Lawson is still your husband, showing up publicly with another woman is just too infuriating!"

Husband...

Serena Sterling withdrew her gaze.

Once upon a time, she too secretly rejoiced at this title.

But now...

"Joy, I feel a bit unwell, let’s hurry back." Serena Sterling changed the topic.

Bianca Lynch immediately focused on her health, no longer dwelling on the couple over there.

Serena Sterling left the area, while in the crowd, Vera Hansen’s gaze swept over occasionally.

A flash of satisfaction crossed her eyes.

"Brother Julian, I’m sorry to drag you into this mess with me," Vera Hansen’s face was filled with guilt, "I know you don’t like facing the media, but I..."

"Don’t worry about it, let’s go see the doctor first." Julian Lawson’s expression didn’t change.

Just a fleeting moment ago, something seemed to flash through his mind.

But he couldn’t grasp it.

They entered the relevant examination room together.

Vera Hansen handed the medical history to the doctor.

The more the doctor read, the deeper his brows furrowed.

"Your condition is very serious," the doctor said.

Vera Hansen forced a smile and softly replied, "I know."

She took a deep breath and continued, "Doctor, I hope you can prescribe some strong painkillers."

"Given your current situation, my advice is hospital treatment," the doctor said after reviewing the medical history, "actively undergoing treatment to see if life can be extended."

"No need," Vera Hansen gave a tragic smile.

She wiped away the slight tears from the corner of her eyes and said, "I don’t want treatment anymore."

Julian Lawson beside her tightened his grip on her hand.

She just shook her head.

"Doctor, I just want to live the final phase of my life with some dignity," she said, "so, please prescribe the strong painkillers."

The doctor sighed deeply, finally nodding understandingly.

The reporters outside were frantically filming and broadcasting all this.

The scene instantly became chaotic.

"My god, a living life is about to end like this."

"I usually shed tears from minor injuries, not to mention how painful late-stage cancer must be, yet she always faces it with a smile, she’s so strong."

"I was moved to tears when she said she wouldn’t undergo treatment, only those who have experienced serious illnesses themselves or with family can understand this feeling."

Countless people shed tears of heartache, and their sympathy for Vera Hansen reached its peak.

...

Vera Hansen got her medication quickly; by the time they came out of the hospital, Serena Sterling was sitting on a bench outside, waiting for Bianca Lynch to drive the car out from the garage.

Before Serena Sterling realized what happened, sharp-eyed paparazzi spotted her, surrounding the three of them.

Flashlights kept flashing.

Julian Lawson also noticed her presence, slightly furrowing his brows, his thin lips parting slightly: "Why are you here?"

Serena Sterling stood up, looking at Julian Lawson, and then at Vera Hansen’s hand in Julian Lawson’s arm.

Before Serena Sterling could speak, troublemakers started stoking the flames.

"Miss Sheridan, did you come here especially to catch them in the act after seeing the online posts?"

"Miss Sheridan, what do you think about your husband and another woman appearing together in public?"

"Miss Sheridan, what are you going to do about Vera Hansen?"

Everyone assumed that Serena Sterling’s presence here was a deliberate confrontation, to challenge Vera Hansen.

Even Julian Lawson thought so.

Thinking of this, Julian Lawson’s annoyance resurged.

He spoke up, "Vera Hansen is ill, don’t you know?"

The tone carried a hint of warning.

Serena Sterling felt mocked.

His implication was that she was targeting Vera Hansen.

But she couldn’t care less!

"Serena!" Seeing her not respond for long, reporters turned to ask Vera Hansen about her views on being the other woman, Julian Lawson called her name.

He wanted her to speak up for Vera Hansen.

Just like every time in the past.

Being obedient to his every command.

But she didn’t want that anymore.

She didn’t even want him anymore, so why be obedient?

Her right hand instinctively protectively covered her abdomen, the dull pain hadn’t completely subsided.

"Came to see a friend." Ultimately, Serena Sterling could only say this.

In the cooling-off period, she didn’t want to reveal her pregnancy, nor allow too many people to dwell on why she was at the hospital.

This also answered Julian Lawson’s question.

After saying this, she turned to leave.

But the reporters weren’t letting her go.

They kept crowding in front of her, pushing and shoving.

"Miss Sheridan, do you know many netizens online are demanding you step aside for President Lawson and Vera Hansen to be together?"

"Does Miss Sheridan know Vera Hansen is dying soon, yet still making things difficult at this time?"

"Miss Sheridan..."

Serena Sterling didn’t want to answer any of these, just wanted to leave quickly.

People desperately blocked the three of them for the rare opportunity of them appearing together, not letting anyone leave.

Seeing Julian Lawson ignoring the situation, someone in the crowd forcefully shoved Serena Sterling.

Serena Sterling stumbled and instinctively protected her abdomen.