Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

Walker reached for her hand and held it, comforting her in a low voice, "Don’t worry. We’ll find a cure. And even if we don’t, your grandmother is a resilient woman. She’ll accept it."

Chloe kept her eyes downcast, not responding.

Walker couldn’t see her face, so he had no idea what expression she was wearing. He couldn’t help but tighten his grip on her fingers.

"If you’re that worried about your grandmother, we could send her away for a while," Walker suggested as an alternative. "She’s always wanted to visit her old hometown, right? If she’s gone for a month or two, we can keep this hidden for that long."

This time, Chloe reacted. Her fingers twitched, and he loosened his grip slightly. He then felt her trace letters into his palm.

Let’s see if there’s a cure first. If not, we’ll send Grandma away.

"Alright."

Walker closed his hand over hers, holding it firmly.

"..."

The specialists Dylan Finch had contacted arrived shortly after.

Walker and Chloe went to the conference room to hear the experts’ diagnosis.

After a series of tests, the specialists fell silent.

They couldn’t find a suitable course of treatment.

The first step was to neutralize the poison, but they didn’t know its composition. The slightest mistake could mean Walker would lose any chance of regaining his sight, and Chloe might never speak again.

They were at an impasse, and the atmosphere grew tense.

Just then, Dylan Finch spoke up. "Rhonda Lowe is still in Breyburn. She’s an expert with poisons. Perhaps the poison came from her."

Walker asked, "Has she developed an antidote for Noah yet?"

Dylan’s voice was tinged with regret. "Not yet."

Walker’s tone turned icy. "Then what’s the point of bringing her in?"

Dylan was left speechless.

At that moment, a gray-haired professor spoke up. "What about trying traditional Chinese medicine? We could use acupuncture to expel the poison first, then clear out the remaining toxins with herbal medicine."

Dylan immediately looked at him. "Professor Lewis, is that your specialty?"

Professor Lewis smiled. "I’m not an expert in toxicology, but I do know someone who is. Her mother was a grandmaster of traditional Chinese medicine, equally skilled in both healing and poison. Her father was a neurosurgeon. I had the good fortune of meeting the couple while part of an international rescue team. They were brilliant. Their daughter inherited her mother’s gift for medicine and began her studies as a child. She might be able to help you."

Dylan pressed on, "Professor Lewis, what’s this doctor’s name? Where is she now?"

Professor Lewis thought for a moment before replying, "If I remember correctly, her name is Fiona Linton."

Dylan nodded. "Okay, I’ll look her up right now."

After the consultation ended, they returned to the hospital room. The atmosphere was oppressive and somber.

Chloe sat by the hospital bed without her phone, her clear eyes vacant.

"Chloe, what are you thinking about?"

Walker turned to face her, his voice tinged with puzzlement.

’She was too quiet.’

’Her silence was making him uneasy.’

Chloe’s eyelashes trembled. She picked up her phone and typed, and an electronic female voice sounded out, "It’s nothing."

"Are you afraid I’ll never be able to see again?" Walker asked, his tone deliberately casual. "If I really do go permanently blind, that’s okay. You can still live your life however you want. I won’t force you to stay by my side."

After a pause, he added, "And don’t feel burdened by this. It was all my choice."