Chapter 155
“When’s your doctor’s appointment?” he called out as he untied Nico’s shoplaces.
* 71%#
Amber’s stomach twisted. She hesitated before answering, her voice soft and almost inaudible. “Danny said to come just before his shift ends.
Seven in the evening.”
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Luca glanced up from where he was kneeling on the floor, Nico’s tiny shoes in his hands. His eyes met Amber’s, and the fear in her gaze
mirrored his own. She looked fragile, her usually bright eyes hollowed by exhaustion and dread.
God, she was terrified. And so was he.
Amber turned away, lost in thought as she stared blankly at the clock. Her mind raced with worries about what lay ahead. She had seen the pictures–hair falling out in clumps, eyebrows and eyelashes disappearing but that wasn’t the scariest part. It was the weakness, the pain, and
the suffocating fear of not getting better.
She didn’t notice Luca until his arms wrapped around her waist from behind, his embrace warm and grounding. He pressed a soft kiss to the
top of her head.
“Do you have someone who can watch Nico this evening while you’re at the hospital?” he asked, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions churning inside him.
Amber turned to face him, her brow furrowed. “I thought you were going to do that.”
Luca shook his head. “Oh, no. I’m coming with you.”
Amber opened her mouth to argue, but Luca cut her off with a wry smile. And I’m warning you now–if anyone else decides to badmouth your
ex–husband, I will punch them.”
Amber blinked, then smiled despite herself. “Them. That’s right. Now you’re getting it,” she teased.
The tension in the room lifted, if only for a moment.
Amber watched them as Luca took Nico for the bath, head down the hallway, her heart aching with a mix of gratitude and regret. Maybe, she thought, if she had stayed–if she had fought harder- her son wouldn’t missed out on having father in his life.
Mrs. Talbot arrived promptly at 6:45, her warm smile and gentle demeanor instantly putting Amber at ease. Nico, already in his pajamas and still groggy from his nap, greeted her with a sleepy wave before curling back up on the couch.
Amber adjusted her silk blouse–a soft beige that shimmered subtly under the hallway light–and straightened the hem of her tailored black pants. She wasn’t dressing up for anyone, she told herself. Yet, she couldnt deny the little thrill she felt when Luca’s gaze discreetly swept over her as they stepped out the door. Once might have been innocent, but three times? She knew exactly what that meant.
“Ready?” she asked, turning to him as they walked toward the car.
“Yeah,” he replied, clearing his throat, though his eyes lingered a moment longer than necessary.
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10:23 Fri, Feb 13 B B
Chapter 155
The hospital was as grim as ever. The sterile smell of antiseptics mingled with the faint hum of fuorescent lights, creating an another fina always made Amber feel like the walls were closing in.
Danny, her friend and oncologist, greeted her with his usual professional warmth, though his eyebrows one slightly when he saw Laca standing
beside her.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” Danny said, addressing Luca. “But I think this is good. Emotional suggurt is crucial for cancer patients. It’s one of those things not enough people talk about, but it makes a huge difference.”
Amber said nothing, her lips pressed into a thin line. She appreciated Dan’s concern, but she had no intention of aring her personal life, even to someone she trusted as both a friend and a doctor.
To her surprise, Luca took charge of the conversation. He asked questions–so many questions–that Anter found herself sitting back in
astonishment.
“What can she eat? Is there anything she should avoid?”
“How much water should she be drinking daily?”
“What about sleep? Is eight hours enough, or does she need more?”
*Can she do light exercise, or does she need complete bed rest?”
Danny answered each inquiry patiently, his tone professional but encouraging. Amber, meanwhile, watched in silence, her mind reeling. This wasn’t the Luca she remembered–the man who used to be indifferent to such details. Now, here he was, diving headfirst into her treatment plan like he was preparing for an exam
Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information being exchanged, Luca asked the question that nearly made
her choke on thin air.
“And what about sexual activities?”
Amber’s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with disbelief. The audacity of this man!
Danny, ever the consummate professional, didn’t even flinch. “Sexual activity can have several benefits,” he began calmly, addressing Laca’s question as if it were as routine as asking about diet. “For women undergoing chemotherapy, regular sexual activity can help maintain vaginal health, preventing issues like dryness or atrophy, particularly in patients experiencing menopause–like symptoms. Additionally, secul activity releases endorphins and oxytocin, which can reduce stress and improve mood. These are crucial factors in managing the emotional toll chemotherapy often takes.”
Amber’s face burned with embarrassment, but she managed to keep her composure. Barely. “Nice to know,” she muttered under bee breath, her tone clipped and controlled. “Now all I need to do is going to a bar and finding a man to release those endorphins for me.*
“Don’t worry,” he said smugly, leaning closer so only she could hear. Tll take care of that for you–numerous times a day, if that’s what you
want.
Amber’s face was red with so much fury that she looked like she was ready to burst. “yea, that 15 not healthy Dancy spoke at best, who was trying his best to ignore the previous words. “No stress please.”
“That means she gets to be on top? Riding m-”
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10:23 Fri, Feb 13 BBD.
Chapter 155
Amber stepped on his foot so hard with her heels, he actually cried.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
