The Day I Stopped Waiting Was the Day He Started Begging novel Chapter 197

Madeline's loyalty had always belonged fiercely to Sloane.

But this was their relationship, and she had no right to interfere.

Besides, Lucas had already caught sight of a few key words, making any attempt to cover it up completely pointless.

Sloane seemed entirely drained of energy, slumping heavily against Madeline's shoulder as she mumbled incoherently.

"Maddy, I feel so dizzy."

Standing right in front of them, Lucas flipped through the medical records, reading every single page.

All traces of the joy he had walked in with were completely wiped from the man's face.

He lifted his gaze and stared straight at Madeline.

"For the longest time, I could never figure out why she finally agreed to marry me."

"Now it makes perfect sense."

"Thank Sloane for this wonderful birthday gift. I imagine she won't be needing the one I brought her. I'm leaving."

Madeline kept a steady grip on Sloane, feeling the desperate tug on her sleeve, but neither of them moved an inch.

The moment Lucas walked out the door, Madeline turned her head. All traces of drunkenness had completely vanished from Sloane's face. She leaned back into the sofa, throwing an arm over her eyes to block out the world.

"Maddy, I still don't think I'm ruthless enough."

She let out a bitter, suffocating laugh.

"I have no idea why my conscience suddenly flared up. I just needed to tell him the truth."

"Deep down, I genuinely fantasized that he wouldn't walk away."

"But why wouldn't he?"

"Who would actually want to love someone incapable of ever loving them back?"

Sloane's voice grew painfully soft as the words spilled out.

Madeline looked down at her, a heavy, suffocating wave of despair crashing over her own heart.

"So you've been blaming yourself this entire time. Blaming yourself for the choice you made back then, right?"

"That's why, exactly five years later, you chose this twisted way to punish yourself for hurting him."

"Sloane, medical diagnoses aren't perfect. Human emotions are incredibly complex."