Chapter 66
Chapter 66
“So you’re saying Sylvia developed this severe allergy because she… detoxified someone? Even tested poisons on herself?” Byron’s stomach clenched.
That incident five years ago flashed into his mind. He’d been poisoned during a business dinner–an obvious hit from rivals after a major deal.
He’d been rushed to the hospital, but the doctors were baffled. They tried everything, and even he had started to accept his fate.
Just as his consciousness began to fade, Sylvia had appeared with a bowl of dark, bitter herbal medicine and made him drink it. He never knew where she got it, but after that, he recovered rapidly. The doctors called it a miracle.
He’d been grateful, sure, but he’d dismissed it as just brewing some herbs. A wife’s duty, he’d thought dismissively at the time. It was also around then he noticed Sylvia stopped eating sweets, even avoiding most fruit. He’d been curious but never pressed her.
Could it be… because she saved me? Was that why her body changed?‘ He realized with dawning horror. ‘She wasn’t just avoiding fruit; she couldn’t eat
- it. Who would be that foolish? Risking everything like that?‘
Jolie nodded grimly. “Yes, Ms. Sullivan detoxified someone about five years ago.”
Byron’s heart hammered against his ribs. Five years ago. Exactly when he was poisoned. It all clicked into place. The timeline matched perfectly.
A wave of profound guilt washed over him. ‘That foolish woman… Why didn’t she ever tell me?‘ he raged internally. ‘And knowing she couldn’t touch alcohol, why did she down that drink just now? Does she have a death wish?‘
His eyes burned. He bolted from the room, sprinting down the hallway, frantically searching for Sylvia. ‘She drank the wine, then rushed off… Is the reaction starting? The residual toxins…‘
Sylvia had stumbled into the nearest restroom, retching over the toilet, trying desperately to expel the wine. To others, it was just wine.
To her, it was poison. It would trigger the reaction again. Even trying to throw it up immediately wasn’t enough; the severe allergic reaction was already taking hold.
She staggered out, finding refuge in a nearby utility closet. She didn’t want anyone to see her like this, to frighten them. She pulled out several fine needles, quickly inserting them into specific points on her body, but the reaction intensified.
Her skin flushed a terrifying shade of red, agony radiating through her. Her skin felt stretched thin, excruciatingly sensitive to the slightest touch. Her vision blurred as she crumpled against the wall, hands clawing weakly at the floor.
Just then, Byron, frantic, spotted the utility closet door slightly ajar. He shoved it open.
The sight inside froze him. “Sylvia! What’s wrong?”
He saw her collapsed on the floor, her entire body an alarming, deep red, her skin seeming to pulse with pain.
He’d always seen Sylvia as tireless, uncomplaining, almost numb… someone who just absorbed hardship. But he’d never seen her like this–utterly vulnerable, curled up like a child against the pain.
Tears unexpectedly welled in his eyes. A strangled cry escaped him. “Sylvia, hang on! I’m getting you to a hospital!”
He instinctively reached to lift her, but recoiled as his fingers brushed her skin. It was so inflamed it looked almost raw. He snatched his hand back, horrified. He hadn’t grasped the true cost of what she’d done for him five years ago.
“Please… go… Don’t touch me…” Sylvia murmured deliriously.
Byron froze. His instinct to call 911 faltered. He knew from recent encounters that Sylvia was a skilled doctor herself. If there was a simple cure, she d have found it by now.
He didn’t act rashly. Instead, he quickly pulled the closet door shut, shielding her from view. He then pulled out his phone and called a renowned
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Chapter 66
specialist overseas, quickly explaining Sylvia’s condition.
“Mr. Blair, this sounds like a systemic disorder caused by residual toxins,” the doctor explained gravely. “It’s a complex medical challenge with no current cure. The patient has to fight through it on their own.”
“And if she can’t?” Byron’s voice was tight with panic.
There was a long pause on the other end. “Then… it could be fatal.”
Byron’s chest ached fiercely. He ended the call, his gaze fixed on Sylvia’s agonized form. An unfamiliar, gut–wrenching pain gripped him.
He lost track of time, watching her, memories of their years together–memories he’d barely acknowledged–flooding his mind–‘I failed her. Completely.‘
Gradually, the terrifying redness of Sylvia’s skin began to subside, her pained expression easing slightly. She wasn’t conscious yet, but the immediate crisis seemed to be passing. Byron felt a sliver of relief. If this trend continued, she might wake up soon.
He considered, then quietly left the closet. Sylvia had been gone too long; the others would be worried. But first, he made another call. Moments later, nearly two dozen hotel security guards converged on his position.
“Seal off this entire corridor. No one gets through,” Byron commanded curtly. He wouldn’t let anyone else see Sylvia like this. He knew she wouldn’t want that either; that was why she’d hidden in the closet.
When he returned to the main area, Zander was back, holding Ruby in his arms. Sylvia’s phone was still on the table where she’d left it.
“Mister, where did my mommy go?” Ruby asked, her bright eyes wide and curious.
“Yeah, Byron, where’s Sylvia?” Zander looked concerned.
“A friend needed to talk to her. She’s handling something; she’ll be back soon,” Byron lied smoothly.
Ruby accepted this. Then she looked up at Zander, beaming. “Daddy, when is that truck full of toys you bought me coming to our house? I wanna play!”
Zander chuckled, ruffling Ruby’s hair. “When you head home, I’ll have the driver follow you and deliver everything.”
“Thanks, Daddy!” Ruby chirped happily.
Byron’s expression flickered. A sudden possessiveness surged through him. He walked over and lifted Ruby right out of Zander’s arms and into his own.
He looked down at her. “Ruby, those are just toys. Nothing special. This hotel has an amazing play area. If you like it, I’ll have one just like it built at your
house.”
He’d always assumed Ruby was Zander and Sylvia’s daughter. The thought had always caused a sharp pang.
But now, something shifted.
‘Even if she is Zander’s daughter… so what? She’s Sylvia’s daughter too.‘ He thought fiercely, ‘I need to be good to Sylvia’s daughter. Better than Zander.
In that moment, he made a decision. He was going to win Sylvia back. He had to make amends for everything.
