[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322A01459-508":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},508,15,"Chapter 15: The King Seiko Part","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m Vienna Cruz. We’re friends. Remember?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I drew a complete blank. Still, I couldn't bring myself to slam the door in her face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Serenity, I know you’ve forgotten a lot of things, but I have to be clear with you: Desmond and I are getting married.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She pointed to her lower belly. \"There’s a baby in here. Desmond’s baby.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">What was she babbling about?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I stood there, dazed. \"Desmond is my husband.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Vienna let out a sharp, jagged laugh that ended in tears. \"Desmond is your brother! You’re nothing but his little sister!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Serenity, are you actually losing your mind?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The familiar, shrill screeching returned, drilling into my ears, one wave sharper than the last. I winced in pain, the phantom echoes of her voice clawing at me: *You’re just his sister!*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Serenity! Don't push your luck!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why have you turned into this? You were the one who wanted the divorce! What, having second thoughts now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When I finally came to, I was back in the hospital.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dr. Duncan frowned, his brow furrowed in concern. \"She can't handle any more stress.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My mentor is back from abroad,\" he added, turning to Desmond. \"It’s best if she remains hospitalized for now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond’s eyes flickered with a desperate spark of hope the moment he heard the mention of a neurology specialist.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He began running a grueling relay between his office and the hospital every day.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In truth, Dr. Duncan was incredibly attentive. During his rounds, he’d always linger a little longer, his voice low and soothing. Even the nurses joked that he was giving me \"special treatment.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond saw it all. He didn't say a word, but he started showing up even earlier and staying until the dead of night.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It felt like he was desperate to prove that there were things Dr. Duncan’s medical expertise—and his bedside manner—could never replace.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Like knowing I had to have exactly half a glass of warm water before bed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Or the way he personally switched out my pillows for ones with the exact firmness I preferred.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And then, there was today. He handed me a small box, carefully wrapped in soft, velvet cloth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I pulled strings and scoured everywhere for this,\" he said, his voice flat. \"The King Seiko parts you wanted. Original factory stock.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. \"Why did you suddenly need these, anyway?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I took the box with trembling fingers, tucking it immediately under my pillow.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Dr. Duncan has a King Seiko with a broken movement. I heard it was a gift from someone very important to him, but the parts are discontinued.\" I looked up at him, beaming. \"Thank you, Desmond! I knew you were the only one who could find them!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond remained frozen in the position he’d been in when he handed me the box. His knuckles were white, the skin pulled tight over his straining joints. It took an agonizingly long time before he slowly retracted his hand and shoved it deep into the pocket of his overcoat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He tugged at the corner of his mouth, clearly trying to manage a smile, but nothing came of it. He just stood there, completely silent.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272916498]