Since I had taken on the work, I did not want to delay it. After all, I would be paid for the work. Although my body was weak after the surgery, my mind was still sharp and functional.
Jean Alston was almost in tears when I called her. "Eva, you've finally reached out to me. I thought you had abandoned me!"
Jean was an intern I hired last year and later became my full-time assistant. Though a bit flighty, she was genuine and dedicated to her work.
Most importantly, she could handle solitude well. Design work often required working alone for long periods, and she was really well-suited for this job.
When I left the company, I did ask someone to look after her at work, but it seemed she had not been doing well.
I cleared my throat and asked her to bring me the earlier proposal and design drawings for Dawnstar Corporation.
She hesitated. "Eva, aren't you no longer on this case? I'm afraid they won't give me the files if I ask."
"Just tell them Leonard requested it. Also, inform HR that I'll be working from home these few days, and you're back to being my assistant."
Now that I was going back to work, I would need my own people. I could not do it alone like before. Moreover, I might have to keep working to have money to stay alive.
When Jean arrived at the ward, she was stunned. "Eva, you... you... tumor… hospitalized..."
Reaching my hand out, I looked at her wearily. "Give me the files. Don't worry. The surgery was successful. I won't die for now."
Just for now. I knew that in my condition, there was a high possibility of relapse. Now, I could only live each day to the fullest and work hard to earn money.
Jean handed me the files while crying. She also gave me a laptop. "Eva, I thought you might not have brought your laptop, so you can use mine for now.
"But how can you work on designs in this state? Mr. Harmon is too much!" Her crying grew louder as she continued to complain.
Apparently, Leonard had indeed put aside all his work to accompany Lily. They went diving and took cruise ships. Lily would post several photo collages on her Instagram every day.
"You're here in the hospital, yet he has the heart to go play with his mistress! Men really are all trash!"
I tapped her head with the pen in my hand, "Don't lump all men together. Only Leonard isn't a good man."
Jean sobbed for a while before heading out to buy some fruit. Only then did she finally manage to smile.
But when she looked at me, she always seemed like she was hesitant to say something. "Jean, you've peeled that apple down to the core."
Upon hearing my words, she finally looked down at the apple. She then took an embarrassed bite herself.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Love's Bitter Edge (Eva and Leonard)
When's the next episode coming?...
Beautiful novel and I hope Eva and Jack get together and they have a kid too. Jack loves her a lot...