A Second Chance At Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard) novel Chapter 1543

Bernard furrowed his brows slightly, signaling Cedric to hold his tongue, then placed his hand on Cedric's shoulder, pressing firmly.

The unspoken bond between the brothers, honed over decades, was unmistakable. Cedric understood Bernard's concern; he didn't want to alarm Eleanor with his condition, so he complied.

Without a word, Cedric stood up, steadying Bernard with one hand, and began to lead the bloodied-eyed man outside.

"Bernard, I'll go fetch the doctor right away."

Stepping out of the mansion, Cedric was ready to dash down the mountain. Not far from there was a cabin where the doctor resided, a precaution Cedric had arranged just in case something happened to Bernard.

"Cedric."

Bernard's call halted him. Facing death, he was even more serene than usual, his voice carrying a note of acceptance, "The chip has cut into my veins, causing bleeding from every orifice. It signals my end is near. Even with thousands of doctors on standby, they can't fix the severed nerves in my brain..."

Using the last of his strength and blurred vision, Bernard staggered down the steps, each step a battle, until he stood before Cedric.

"Please, run down to the valley and ask the robot to bring a bouquet of roses to Eleanor..."

Tears welled up in Cedric's eyes as he saw Bernard, bleeding from every orifice. "And what about you, Bernard?"

"Me?" Bernard, facing the snowstorm, looked around. "Born of flesh and destined to return to the earth, it's the natural cycle. Let me be buried under the snow."

Cedric, tears streaming down his face, shook his head. "Bernard, if it's for you, I'd replace you with the robot, but I won't let you be buried under the snow. No matter what, I'll bring you back to the Laurence Group's cemetery."

Bernard managed a weak smile. "Then all my planning would have been for naught, wouldn't it?"

Clinging to Bernard's arm, Cedric pleaded, "Bernard, it's not just about Eleanor. You have me, and you have your brothers at the Laurence Group. You can't do everything just for her."

Tears mixed with blood rolled down Bernard's cheeks as he looked steadfastly at Cedric. "Cedric, she's all I have."

Those words, "she's all I have," made Cedric slowly release his grip, not out of coldness, but because the pain of impending separation was too much to bear. "Then, Bernard, we'll fulfill your last wish and let you rest under the snow, until Eleanor finds out. Then, I'll bring you home."

As Cedric cried, Bernard, enduring the excruciating pain in his head, lifted his trembling finger to gently wipe away his tears. "Having a brother like you in this life is my fortune. In the next life, let's switch roles; then, I'll be there for you, through thick and thin."

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