When They Beg I Rise (Lemira) novel Chapter 1000

"Of course it does," Asher's voice suddenly cut in over the line. "Lemira, Rowan has been abroad for years. He dropped massive pharmacological research projects just to come back for this. You owe him the respect of showing up. Besides, billionaires and elites practically beg for his medical expertise. Having a good relationship with him will benefit you."

"I don't need his help."

She was about to hang up when Lucian quickly added, "You might not, but what about the Everharts? The Sinclairs are using Mrs. Amanda's illness to blackmail you both. If Rowan can treat her, all of your problems are solved."

Lemira froze, hanging up without a word.

Her mind raced. He was right. In her past life, Rowan Langston became a globally renowned medical researcher. His labs produced breakthrough drugs that cured previously untreatable conditions.

If Rowan took Mrs. Amanda's case, there might genuinely be hope.

A kidney transplant was incredibly hard on the body. If Rowan had an experimental drug treatment, she could avoid the surgery entirely.

Thinking of Orion standing on the side of the street today, bleeding to protect her, a suffocating wave of guilt hit her.

He had done so much for her. It was time she did something for him.

She picked up her phone and texted Lucian: "I'll come home for dinner."

He replied instantly: "Great. What do you want to eat? I'll have the kitchen make it."

"Anything is fine."

Her thoughts were entirely consumed by Mrs. Amanda's illness.

That evening, Lemira drove to the Langston Estate.

As she pulled through the gates, the mansion was brilliantly illuminated. Decorative lights strung through the gardens made it look like they were celebrating a grand holiday.

Whenever she used to come home, the house had always felt cold and lifeless.

She parked and walked slowly toward the grand entrance, the sounds of warm laughter drifting out from the living room.

Evelina, heavily pregnant, was sitting in the center of the room, chatting animatedly. The brothers were all smiling, the atmosphere picture-perfect and harmonious.

Ignoring her as well, Lemira walked straight to the memorial altar of her parents and lit three floral tributes.

The room descended into a suffocating silence.

She turned to look at Evelina. "Have you paid your respects and begged my parents for forgiveness yet today?"

The color drained from Evelina's face. She looked pitifully at the man standing nearby. "I... I was busy helping set up the Reunion Dinner for Rowan today. I didn't have time."

At that moment, Rowan Langston stood up.

He was exceptionally tall and thin, his features sharp but cast in a perpetual gloom. His skin was pale, a luminous, almost sickly pallor from years locked away without sunlight.

He walked toward Lemira, looking down at her.

When she looked up to meet his eyes, was she imagining the faint flicker of gentleness in his gaze?