[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-283":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},283,69,"Chapter 69: \"If You Don't Eat, I'm Stripping You of Your Work\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After two days of relentless chaos, one day spent living it up, the next was meant for pure, unadulterated horizontal living. There’s nothing more glorious than being a complete couch potato.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline spent the entire day curled up in bed—scrolling through Twitter/X when she was awake, drifting off when she was tired. It was pure bliss. Helen, ever the doting housekeeper, saw how the once-full cheeks of her palm-sized face had hollowed out into sharp angles. Heartbroken, she whipped up a series of restorative, nutrient-dense stews.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But it seemed Evangeline’s system was too fragile for such heavy nourishment. By nightfall, she was hit with a spontaneous nosebleed. As she pinched her nose, she caught a glimpse of the icy, furious man reflected in the vanity mirror. She offered a sheepish, awkward grin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus, I promise... I’ll eat properly from now on.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Look at Remi,\" Marcellus growled, his voice tight with suppressed rage. \"She hasn't changed a bit. How did you manage to waste away until you’re this fragile?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was fuming, but he was visibly straining to keep his tone under control.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Heh... it's just a bad habit I have. When I'm anxious, I lose my appetite.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, I support your dreams and your career. But if you keep treating your health like this, I will forbid you from working entirely.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing he was genuinely terrified, Evangeline turned and wrapped her arms around his waist in a soothing embrace.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know, I know. I get it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus let out a defeated sigh. \"Don't think that being cute will get you off the hook this time.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Even though the words remained harsh, the edge had clearly vanished from his voice. Evangeline knew he’d been pacified. She smiled, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I promise, I really do!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The business was stabilizing, and there were no immediate, high-stakes deadlines demanding she bleed for her work. She needed to focus on her health. Marcellus had traded his own life to secure this second chance for her; she couldn't afford to burn herself out and throw it all away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next day, Evangeline and Remi stopped by Noah Mitchell’s office, hoping to convince him to take a few days off, but he shut them down immediately.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't need to. Being busy is the only thing that makes me feel secure.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Noah, why don't you take some time to go home and visit your mother?\" Evangeline suggested. He just shook his head.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Before the end of the year, I’ll have her moved out here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With the company’s current growth, the year-end dividend would be enough to put a down payment on a small place in the city. That was the fuel for his fire. He wanted to build a home here, to give his mother access to superior medical care.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright. We appreciate the hard work, Noah.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As they stepped out of the office, Remi sighed. \"Noah is such a grinder.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He is. Having him as a partner is the luckiest break we’ve ever had.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi’s eyes suddenly lit up. \"Hey, why don't we get him a gift?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure, but do we even know what he’s into?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, come on! Just buy him a car. What man doesn't love a nice ride?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Deal. Let’s head back and start shopping.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once they reached their office, they spent hours glued to the screen, hunting for cars. But the female shopping logic was worlds apart from a man’s: they only cared if the exterior was pretty and if the price tag was within their budget. Performance, horsepower, torque? Irrelevant.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I can't make heads or tails of these specs,\" Evangeline groaned, leaning back in her chair, head spinning.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Me neither,\" Remi admitted. \"When I bought my own car, I didn't research anything. I just picked the prettiest one.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Forget it. I'll ask Marcellus tonight.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline,\" Remi said, her expression shifting. \"You look terrible.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The harsh light of the computer screen cast deep shadows across her face, making her look gaunt, almost frightening. Evangeline offered a reassuring smile. \"I've just been skipping meals, that's all. I'm fine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi wasn't buying it. Her worry was written all over her face. \"You look sick, Evangeline. We need to get you to an urgent care clinic.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine, fine. Don't worry. I’ll go this afternoon.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm coming with you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline didn't have the heart to refuse. After lunch, she squeezed in a short nap, and at 2:00 PM, they headed to the clinic. Under Remi’s strict supervision, Evangeline was dragged through a grueling series of full-body scans and blood tests, running up and down the hospital corridors.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">By the time it was over, Evangeline felt like she was going to faint. She collapsed onto a chair, breathless, when suddenly, she felt that familiar rush of heat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline! Your nose!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi panicked, scrambling for a tissue to plug her nostril. \"Are you okay? Talk to me!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline shook her head weakly. \"I'm fine. Helen’s been feeding me way too many herbal supplements. I'm just a bit overheated.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was supposed to be a routine check-up, but seeing Evangeline’s state, Remi’s composure shattered. Her eyes rimmed with red, her voice trembling. \"Evangeline...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm okay, really.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline kept replacing the blood-soaked tissue while trying to calm her friend down. But the pile of crimson-stained paper in the wastebasket was terrifying. Remi held back her sobs, but the fear was visible in every shake of her hands.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Two hours later, the results finally arrived. Remi sprinted to the self-service kiosk to pull the report. \"Come on, let's go see the doctor.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She dragged a listless Evangeline toward the office.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The line is out the door,\" Evangeline murmured.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, don't rush.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How can I not rush? I’m terrified! Forget it, I’m calling Damian.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian Spencer happened to own this particular clinic, though he rarely saw patients here, preferring the solitude of his lab. Remi made the call, explaining the situation and receiving a promise that he would be there in fifteen minutes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damian said he’s on his way. Let's sit.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline took Remi’s hand. Remi was so tense that her fingernails were digging deep, painful crescents into her own palm. A wave of warmth—like a hidden hot spring—spread through Evangeline’s chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Over here!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi jumped up, waving at Damian. He jogged toward them, still catching his breath. \"Let me see the report.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He took the sheets, scanning them with a clinical eye. His brow furrowed deeper with every page. The two women held their breath, waiting for the verdict.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Abnormal hematopoietic stem cells, low bone density... you’re literally starving yourself?\" Damian glared at her. \"Headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle soreness?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline nodded slowly. \"I do feel exhausted.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian looked like he was about to lose it. \"Do you ever eat?!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We picked up a bad habit back in design school. We don't eat until the sketches are finished.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What? You too?!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian’s voice spiked, and people in the waiting room started staring.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Keep it down,\" Remi whispered, looking at him with wide, pleading eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, you are severely anemic and malnourished. You’re showing early signs of osteoporosis. I know you used to dance—if you don't want to snap a bone just from tripping, you need to fix your diet right now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It's that bad?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s critical! This state of mind isn't good for your mental health either. It’s the perfect trigger for a relapse into your previous condition.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hearing that, Evangeline finally realized the danger. She straightened her posture and gave a firm, solemn nod.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, and she had a massive nosebleed earlier,\" Remi added, terrified of leaving out a single detail.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What have you been eating?\" Damian asked, cutting straight to the point.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A lot of heavy, restorative stews,\" Evangeline admitted awkwardly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Rest, eat on a schedule, and actually take care of yourself. I’m going to send the list of dietary restrictions and a proper supplement plan to Marcellus.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Understood. Thank you, Damian.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272913870]