He Stands at the End of My Past

Juliet's face flushed an unnatural shade of red, the color spreading from her cheekbones all the way to her ears. Yet her lips were drained of color, trembling faintly with each shallow breath.

A sharp pain spread across her chest as if something inside her were about to burst. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open her eyes.

A familiar voice sounded near her ear. "Is Ms. Bennett going to be alright, Mr. Henderson?"

Caspian noticed how calm Willow looked and felt an inexplicable wave of irritation. His expression hardened as he snarled, "What do you think? She drank alcohol and took metronidazole. Of course, it's serious!"

Willow stiffened when she heard his harsh tone. Then, she lifted her chin stubbornly. "Mr. Henderson, if anything happens to Ms. Bennett, I'm willing to take full responsibility. If she dies, I'll answer with my own life."

Without saying a word, he stared at her, his expression inscrutable.

Willow's heart raced, but she took a deep breath, stepped forward, and softened her tone.

"This is all my fault, Mr. Henderson. If I had checked the label properly, I wouldn't have grabbed the wrong medicine… and Ms. Bennett wouldn't be suffering right now. If you want to punish me, go ahead. I'll accept any punishment you give!"

Caspian sighed, pulled her into his arms, and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry, Willie. She'll be fine. I'll take care of everything."

Willow pursed her lips, tears trickling down her cheeks. "But I did make a mistake. I need to pay for it."

Caspian lowered his head and looked at her helplessly. "Do you really want to pay for it?"

Willow nodded as tears slid down her otherwise calm face. "However you want to punish me, I'll—"

"Marry me." He pecked her lips, his tone dead serious. "Willie, you disappeared right after you saved me. We've already missed out on so many years. I don't want us to be apart anymore."

Willow froze for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

When Juliet heard that, her chest tightened so painfully that she couldn't bear it anymore. In the end, she coughed up a mouthful of blood and blacked out on the spot.

…

When Juliet finally regained consciousness, she had no idea how many days had passed. She opened her eyes, the sharp ache in her chest making it hard to breathe.

Caspian rushed over the moment she stirred. "You're finally up."

Juliet looked at him coldly. Her voice was so hoarse that it was barely audible. "Where's Willow?"

His expression shifted. He knew Juliet had been spoiled all these years, and he feared she might go after Willow. So, he handed her the documents in his hand.

"She took the wrong medicine because she was drunk and lightheaded. She didn't do it on purpose, and I've already decided on a punishment for her. This is something I prepared just for her. Sign it, and I'll put her to work."

He had prepared something just for Willow? Was he going to put her to work?

Was he talking about a divorce agreement for Juliet and making Willow work hard as the new lady of the Henderson family?

Juliet sneered inwardly. With a stoic expression, she accepted the document, signed it, and handed it back to him. "I hope you keep your word."

Caspian had braced himself for an argument. He hadn't expected her to sign it so readily.

He took the document and said, "I'll go take care of this first. Get some rest. I'll come check on you later."

As Juliet watched him walk away, she suddenly remembered how nervous she had been when he woke up from his coma. She had been terrified he wouldn't like her. Yet when he had said, "Please take care of me from now on", her heart had exploded with joy.

However, all of that was gone now.

Juliet tried to get out of bed when a sharp pain tore through her chest. In a heartbeat, a metallic tang rushed up her throat, and she coughed out a mouthful of blood.

Rowan, who had just reached the door, witnessed this scene. His eyes widened in shock. "Juliet!"

The moment she laid eyes on him, all her bottled-up frustration burst free. As she clutched his wrist, tears streamed down her face. "Ro…"

Rowan scooped her into his arms in one swift motion. His expression was dark with fury as he yelled over his shoulder, "Get a doctor, now!"

Within minutes, a doctor rushed in. After a thorough examination, his expression was grim.

"Ms. Bennett's health is far too fragile. We can't treat her here. She needs to be transferred abroad immediately!"

Rowan's eyes misted over as he made calls to hospitals abroad. Ten minutes later, he boarded a plane with an unconscious Juliet.