Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 499

Stewart was spitting up blood again when he got out of bed to wash up that morning.

Not wanting to frighten the kids, he asked Lorna and Carol to take them out to the neighborhood playground for a while.

When Cedric Clarke arrived, Stewart was propped up against his pillows, his face ashen and drawn.

“I told you not to rush back here, but you never listen!” Cedric snapped, striding over and letting his emergency kit thud hard onto the nightstand. “Stewart, were you a mule in your last life? You’re not going to die from illness, you’ll die from sheer stubbornness!”

“Spare me the lecture. Just hook me up to the IV already,” Stewart muttered.

Cedric shot him a glare, but opened the kit and got to work. His hands moved with practiced efficiency as he inserted the needle, hung the IV bag, and adjusted the drip.

“I’m setting it slow,” Cedric said, watching the fluid trickle down the line. “This stuff works, but too much will put a strain on your heart.”

Stewart closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to relax as the medication flowed into his veins. His labored, ragged breathing gradually eased.

Cedric sat nearby, keeping a close eye on him. In just over a month, Stewart had wasted away before his eyes.

“I heard from Lorna you went to visit the cemetery?” Cedric asked quietly.

Stewart kept his eyes shut, as if he’d fallen asleep.

“Don’t you play dead on me!” Cedric snapped, losing patience. “Stewart, are you really content with this? You’re only thirty-two! If you die now, you think you’ll rest easy even as a ghost?”

Stewart gave a faint, weary smile. “I’ve got a son and a daughter. That’s enough for me.”

He thought for a moment, then tried a different angle. “What about Little Nina? She’s such a bright, beautiful girl. You know, a soft heart can run in the family. Briony got hers hurt because she loved too deeply—aren’t you afraid Nina will make the same mistakes? Or what if she gets bullied by some punk? Sure, fathers matter to sons, but for daughters, having a dad is everything. A father is a girl’s greatest protector!”

“She’ll be fine,” Stewart replied with quiet confidence. “She’s sharp. She knows how to weigh her options, and Bryn’s raised her well. She’ll grow up smart and level-headed. If anything, you should be worried about your son—my girl has a thing for good-looking boys. If your son turns out handsome, she’ll break his heart.”

Cedric was speechless, his frustration mounting.

He jumped to his feet and started pacing the room, unable to sit still any longer.

Suddenly, he spun around, planted a hand on his hip, and jabbed a finger at Stewart. “When you’re gone, don’t expect me to visit your grave. I’ll make sure you die penniless, you stubborn ass!”

A faint, fearless smile tugged at Stewart’s lips. “That’s alright. If I ever run out of cash, I’ll come haunt you in your dreams and ask for a loan.”