Chapter 242

After settling Jonas down, Natalia finally spoke. “Lexi. I need to run back to the mansion and check on Call You and Jonas can hang out here in my apartment for a bit, Fit be back soon. Could you look after Jonas for me in the meantime?”

‘Sure, make it quick. And while you’re there, pass on my best wishes. I’ve always been curious about Duke Callum, who’s taken care of you all these years,” Lexi responded dismissively waving Natalia off Off you do come back soon?

“Sure” Natalia replied, hurrying out the door Not far from the mansion, Natalia didn’t bother grabbing a taxi. To save time, she went on foot, moving briskly Luckily, the distance wasn’t too great. After a while, Na saw the all too familiar mansion. She quickened her pace, eager to see how Cal was doing. Before long, she passed through the mansion’s grand entrance, making her way to the main hall Rita was rust coming out of the mansion when she saw Natalia returning Overjoyed, she ran over, shouting. Thank God. Ms Clarkson is back Natalia saw the visibly excited Rita, and her mood lightened a bit ‘Rita, take me to Cal quickly. What happened to him?”

“Sure night away But you must be prepared, Ms. Clarkson, his condition is quite serious, Rita warned, leading Natalia into the mansion Natalia stumbled a bit at the news. Had Cal really become incurable? Her mind was a mess if Cal really was at death’s door, she didn’t know what she’d do The two women quickly reached Cal’s bedroom Before they even entered Natalia could hear the distressing sound of coughing It was Caf’s voice, fractured and weak Hearing the urgent coughing Natalia immediately pushed open the door The room was dimly fit, with curtains blocking out the light. A pungent smell of medicine hung in the air.

Natalia walked over to the large bed in the room, seeing Callums. feeble figure lying on it. His face was so pale it was almost transparent Callum’s emaciated figure made Natalia cover her mouth in shock. She’d only been gone for three days. What had happened to him?

Callum, once strong and robust, now looked skeletal His face was sickly pale with a touch of gray, his eyes were sunken, and his lips were slightly purple Weakly lying on the bed, he heard footsteps and opened his eyes tiredly. Upon seeing Natalia, his mood instantly brightened. His previously dull eyes lit up as he struggled to sit up. But after a few attempts, he realized he didn’t even have the strength to support himself The joy in his eyes turned into disappointment Callum reached out to Natalia, his voice raspy.

“Buttercup, is that you? Are you really back? I’m not dreaming, am (7°

Natalia couldn’t contain her emotions any longer. She tightly held Callum’s hand.

Tears dropped onto the floor as she choked, “Cal, what happened to you? it’s only been three days.

How did you get like this?”

Callum forced a smile Buttercup as long as you te back, nothing else matters. I thought you were taken by Magnus and wouldn’t come back.”

“Callum, I promised you I’d come back, and here I am. But first, tell me what happened Why have you become so weak? I just heard from Rita that you She couldn’t finish her sentence. She couldn’t accept what Rita had said. How could Cal be dying? He was always so strong!

Callum knew what she wanted to ask and gave her a comforting smile. “Natalia, don’t listen to Rita I just. I just had a little too much to drink. It’s nothing a few days rest, and I be fine “Cal, you don’t have to hide it from me Look at yourself, you’re clearly seriously ill! Why aren’t you taking care of yourself?”

in response to her question, Cal didn’t give a direct answer. His heart was filled with euphona, all because of Natalia’s return.

“Natalia as long as you’re back, that’s all that matters Really. I’m fine,” Cal said, hesitantly asking. “But will Natalia hesitated, unsure of how to answer Cal’s question After all, she didn’t know what the future held for her you leave again?”

Seeing the conflict in Natalia’s eyes, Cal imagined she couldn’t let go of Magnus. His elated expression froze on his face Holding Natalia’s hand, he pleaded, “Butter know I’m being selfish, but i can’t live without you Could you stay? I wouldn’t survive without you”

His hands tightly gripped hers, as if she’d vanish if he let go Natalia felt his hot hands like a burning flame 1 Cal, your hands are so hot. Look after yoursest heat, okay We’ll talk about everything else later What’s important now is that you get better Natalia said, calling for Rita, who was waiting outside, “Get Cal to the hospital quickly!

Rita came in at Natalia’s call, carefully replying “Ms Clarkson, ever since you left, my master has been constantly drinking And these past few days, when i was raining heavily he just lay in the courtyard and wouldn’t let us approach him He wouldn’t let us take him to the hospital either. We could only watch as he lay in the rain for two days until he passed out Only then could we bring him back inside”

Natalia didn’t expect such a situation She quickly asked, ‘What did the doctors say?”

Ruta went on The doctor said the master gut sick because he’s been drinking out in the rain for days.

His body temperatures too low, and be a got a bit He needs to take some medicine. But the master refuses to take his pills, and he won’t even drink his tea. It’s like he’s trying to torment himself to With these words steeled in her heart. Rita quickly excused herself, fearing that she might get a tongue lashing from Callum Upon hearing this Natalia realized that Callum was trying to wreck his health, which saddened her