Kareen finished venting her frustrations and returned the two bank cards that Lyra had offered. âNo, keep these. I can manage for now. Use that money for your wedding instead. Even if Zac is unconscious, his big day shouldnât be any less amazing!â
Kareen climbed into bed, stubbornly turning her back to Damien and Cherise. âGo away, both of you.
Iâve agreed to your plan, so donât bother me unless itâs urgent.â
Lyra stood frozen, clutching the cards in her hand. âButâ¦â
âYou stay and take care of your comatose fiancé!â Kareenâs voice was cold, yet a hint of warmth peeked through. âWerenât you the one talking about taking care of him forever? Having second thoughts now? You might as well call off the whole thing.â
Lyra remained rooted to the spot, unable to speak.
Cherise sympathetically patted Lyraâs shoulder. âKareen just means you can stay here and watch over Zac. She wonât kick you out.â
Lyra finally snapped out of her daze, ecstatic. âIâm going to his room right now!â/
Without saying goodbye to Cherise or Damien, she rushed out of the room, excitement propelling her towards Zacâs ward.
âLove is foolish,â Kareen muttered from the bed. âMy brother is practically unconscious, and sheâs still determined to marry him. Talk about hopeless!â
Cherise shook her head. âYou just donât understand their love.â
Kareen rolled her eyes. âI hope I never will. Youâre all a bunch of crazy fools. Leave me out of it!â
âA business tycoon interfering in someone elseâs life for a woman. A renowned doctor willing to sacrifice his career for a man. And my brother? Heâs pushing his sister aside to save a woman with two kids from another guy! And now I have another delusional woman as a sister-in-law.â
âIâm done with all your drama and nonsense!â Kareen closed her eyes. âLeave me alone. I need some peace.â
Cherise bit her lip, glancing helplessly at Damien.
Damien chuckled. âVery wise words indeed. Speaking of which, you and Gwenn were quite close, werenât you?â
âYeah,â Kareen mumbled, her lips pursed.
Unfortunately, the recent fallout between Zachary, Cherise, and Gwenn had strained Kareenâs relationship with Gwenn.
âConsidering your close friendship,â Damien continued, âyou should invite her to your brotherâs wedding.â
Kareen looked puzzled and asked, âAre you sure? Given the drama between your girlfriend and her, I doubt sheâd want to come. Wouldnât it be awkward?â
Damien waved it off. âNah, just ask her. If sheâs not up for it, no big deal.â
With that, he put his arm around Cherise, and they walked out of the ward together.
Kareen lay in bed, watching their reflection fade on the windowpane. A bitter smile crossed her lips.
Kareenâs resentment towards Cherise had grown deep, as Gwenn had always believed and told Kareen that Damien could have been hers or Kareenâs husband if not for Cherise.
However, her dear brother had willingly chosen to stay with Cherise for the past five years.
Now, witnessing Damienâs tenderness towards Cherise, Karcen couldnât help but wonder to herself. Is it Cheriseâs captivating charm, or is there simply something inherently likable about her?