Chapter 17
Chapter 17
The hospital corridor reeked of antiseptic, cold and sterile.
Nolan stood outside the hospital room, watching his father’s pale form through the glass window.
His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails cut into his palms, blood seeping through his fingers, though he seemed to feel nothing.
His father slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Nolan with unmistakable disappointment and
exhaustion.
When he spoke, his voice was hoarse and weak, as if it took all his strength“Nolan, if you insist on being with Aurelia, I’ll strip you of your position at Creed Enterprises and adopt another son. You will no longer be the Creed heir.”
Nolan’s fists tightened further, his knuckles turning white. His gaze remained steady and resolute, his voice without a trace of hesitation “Dad, I’ll give up everything.”
“Nolan, do you have any idea what you’re saying? You’re the Creed heir, the head of Creed Enterprises! You’d abandon your family responsibilities for a woman?”
“Dad, I know you’re disappointed in me, and I know you hate Aurelia. But I’ve tried–I truly cannot let her
- go.
She’s the love of my life. Even after everything she’s done, she still occupies my heart completely. I can give up Creed Enterprises, give up everything, but I cannot give her up. I know we’re both beyond forgiveness. Rest assured, in the next life, we’ll burn in hell together.”
Shock flashed across his father’s face, quickly replaced by profound disappointment. He closed his eyes, as if he couldn’t bear to look at Nolan any longer “Go. Don’t let me see you again.”
Nolan said nothing more as he turned and left the room. His silhouette appeared solitary and determined, as if prepared to face whatever came next.
As he exited the hospital, Nolan ran directly into Evangeline.
Her face was pale, her eyes weary and pained.
After a moment of silent eye contact, Evangeline suddenly smiled, a bitter twist to her lips“Nolan, after all these years, I still lost to Aurelia.”
“Evangeline, I’m sorry. We should end things.”
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Chapter 17
Tears immediately spilled from her eyes as she trembled “The truth is… 1 set Aurelia up many times. 1 deliberately created misunderstandings, made sure she saw us being intimate, even made her believe you hated her. I did all this to make you give up on her. What I never realized was that while you were hurting her on the surface, you were really tearing yourself apart.”
Nolan’s pupils contracted sharply. His voice was rough with emotion “What did you say?”
Tears streamed down Evangeline’s cheeks, her voice filled with resignation “Nolan, I’m letting go.
Go find her. You don’t need to apologize to me. The canceled engagement and losing you–that’s my karma. I shouldn’t have coveted something that wasn’t mine. After you’re together with Aurelia, please tell her I’m sorry. I was almost crazy obsession, and I repeatedly set her up just to have you Spending the
rest of my life without the one I love–that’s my punishment.”
Nolan’s fists tightened further, his knuckles white with strain. His gaze was icy and piercing, his tone
barely containing his rage “Evangeline, you-”
But in the end, he said nothing more and simply turned to leave.
Everyone was guilty of something. He was. Aurelia was. What right did he have to condemn Evangeline?
Evangeline’s tears flowed harder as she suddenly called out “Nolan, I’ll take care of your father! I hope you both will be happiness!”
Nolan kept walking without another word, striding purposefully out of the hospital.
The moment he stepped outside, Nolan felt an unprecedented sense of liberation.
He took out his phone and called his assistant“Find Aurelia immediately. Use whatever means necessary.
but find her.”
On the other end, the assistant’s voice trembled slightly“Mr. Creed, why… why are you looking for her?”
Nolan’s brow furrowed, his tone impatient “Enough talk. Find her now!”
After a moment of silence, the assistant’s voice carried a note of hesitation“Mr…Creed,the truth is…
Aurelia is dead.”
Nolan’s heart plummeted, as if crushed by an invisible weight, making it difficult to breathe. His vo
turned hoarse “What?!!”
“The assistant’s voice shook. “That day, when the blood was donated–it was her. They took too much blood, and she died right there. I… I didn’t dare tell you at the time.”
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Eternal Pledge.Where Mountains Touc
Chapter 18