Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 28

The words on the tip of Eliza’s tongue were swallowed back. Instead, she wore the polite, practiced smile she used at business dinners.

“The hospital is a public place. Since you two can come, naturally I can too.”

Calvin frowned, clearly displeased with her answer.

But it was Medea who spoke, as though remembering something.

“So your family really is sick?”

Eliza almost laughed.

Did she think Eliza’s excuse last time had been a lie? That she’d made up a story about a sick relative just to stalk them?

Who on earth would fabricate something like that?

Calvin probably thought the same.

But Eliza no longer cared what he thought.

All she wanted was to leave. She brushed past the two without hesitation.

Josh was still waiting where she’d left him. When she returned, his lips curved into a smile.

“So that’s why you took so long. You went for coffee.”

“I couldn’t just leave you standing there,” she said, handing him a cup.

“It should be soon,” he said, checking his watch.

It had been five hours since the operation began.

No news had come out, which Josh reassured her was a good sign. It meant the surgery was going smoothly.

Her heart settled a little.

He ruffled her hair. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

“Mhm.” Eliza believed that too.

On the other side of the corridor, Medea’s nerves were fraying. She kept glancing toward the operating room.

“Calv, I’m so nervous.” She sought his comfort.

But Calvin seemed distracted, his eyes fixed elsewhere.

“Calv?” she called again.

He blinked back to attention. “What is it?”

“What were you looking at?” She followed his line of sight, but saw nothing. Her curiosity deepened.

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Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen

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Chapter 28

“Nothing.” His tone was flat, his gaze already withdrawn.

Then he offered a calm reassurance: “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.”

At his words, Medea’s heart eased again.

The surgery was a success.

At last, Eliza was able to sleep peacefully.

On Sunday, she woke early and made chicken soup to bring to her mother. But when she reached the ward, she froze.

A familiar voice drifted out from inside.

For a moment she thought she had the wrong room.

But after checking twice, she realized she hadn’t.

So, was it Calvin who had mistaken the room?

Inside, he was speaking with her mother.

“Apologies for not visiting sooner. I’ve been tied up with work.”

His tone was earnest, his manner sincere.

To anyone unaware of the truth, he looked the picture of concern.

But to Eliza, it was nothing but hypocrisy.

Of course he’d been busy, busy accompanying his first love.

Ottilie, however, was delighted to see him. She even comforted him in return.

“Work comes first. Young people should focus on their careers. Besides, didn’t you approve leave for Eliza so she could take care of me? With

her here, it’s the same.”

“She… has worked hard these days,” he admitted. His voice held the faintest guilt, though not much.

At that moment Eliza stepped in.

“Mom, how are you feeling today?”

“Much better. But I was just wondering. Why didn’t you two come together?”

Her stomach clenched. She had forgotten.

These past weeks, to keep her mother calm, she’d hidden the truth that she and Calvin had already fractured. She’d let her mother go on believing their relationship was strong.

Even now, after surgery, her mother’s body was still frail. If she learned the truth, she would only worry.

Panic flickered, then Eliza turned to him, silently pleading with her eyes.

Seven years of working by his side should mean he could catch such hints.

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Seven Years a Fool, One Day a Queen

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Chapter 28

Calvin understood, and smoothly supplied an explanation.

“I just got back from a business trip. I didn’t even have time to tell her before coming straight here.”

“I see. Then you should hurry back and rest, business trips are exhausting. Every time Eliza returns from one, she’s so worn out she loses weight.”

“She has indeed worked hard.”

The words grated in Eliza’s ears.

But she had to admit that his acting was good. With that face, it was almost a pity he hadn’t become an actor.

Urged by her mother, he soon rose to leave.

Eliza suspected he was in a rush to visit his real future mother–in–law.

“See him out,” Ottilie said.

“There’s no need, he knows the way,” Eliza muttered.

Her mother shot her a glare. “Go on!”

“…Fine.”

So she accompanied him to the elevator.

He didn’t protest–in fact, he seemed to expect it, walking as though it were his due.

Once out of earshot, she dropped her smile like a mask, her face hardening instantly.

He saw it all.

His eyes narrowed. “You seem eager not to see me.”

She wanted to roll her eyes. At least you know.

But truth be told, his presence had eased some pressure. Her mother had been asking after him constantly–she’d nearly run out of lies.

“Mr. Young, you must be joking,” she said blandly, neither confirming nor denying.

He let it pass. “I’ve already spoken with the hospital. They’ll take good care of your mother.”

Her lips twisted in a bitter curve. “My mother’s not here. You don’t have to perform.”

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?” His voice cooled.

She no longer wanted to play along.

“Why pretend to be confused, Mr. Young?”

“Explain yourself.”

He was really going to keep up the act.

Fine. She was done acting anyway.

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Seven Years a Fool, One Day a Queen

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Chapter 28

“You’re right, it’s time everything was made clear. Long overdue!”

She was exhausted. From the day she’d learned about his first love, twenty–five endless days had passed, every one an agony.

Now she craved release.

This was her chance.

She lifted her eyes, meeting his with clarity and resolve.

“Calvin, let’s end this.”

Her meaning was plain: from this day forward, no more ties.

Once, she had thrown everything into this love. Recklessly. Desperately. With all her heart.

But love, she had learned, was too far away. Too empty.

She had already dashed herself bloody against that wall.

And now she could no longer love him.

So she let go.

From now on, she would love herself.

His gaze was cold, probing, as though weighing her words.

Seven years ago, she had been a girl who believed love was greater than anything, who would endure all hardship without counting cost.

But seven years later, she saw it clearly:

Love was the most useless thing in the world.

The warrior who once charged forward in its name now stood in ruin.

She was tired. Desperately tired.

She wanted freedom.

Looking straight into his eyes, Eliza repeated firmly, “Calvin, let’s end this.”

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