A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Hudson's brows pulled together in a tight frown.

"I knew it—there's just no fooling you, is there?" he said with a resigned sigh. "If you knew the truth, you'd tell him. You wouldn't be able to keep it from him, not for a second. That's why I can't let you see, and I can't let you know."

"Callie, this is my decision. I appreciate your concern, really, but you don't need to worry about me."

"After breakfast, just write me a prescription or something, and then you should head home."

"I get it—you can't lie to Lance. So don't say anything. I'll do the talking, and you just nod along, okay? He'll only believe it if you back me up. Otherwise, he won't trust a word I say."

Calliope went quiet, her mouth opening, then closing again. She studied Hudson for a moment. She still couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong with him, but she had a gut feeling-it had to be something terminal.

"Hudson, you know how good I am at this," she pressed gently. "If you don't let me take a look, I can't say for sure if I can help you or not. But even with a terminal illness, there are always different scenarios. Sometimes, it's not hopeless."

"And even if I can't cure you, I'm pretty sure I can buy you some more time. That's not nothing."

"So, Hudson, please, just let me take a look. I can't promise a miracle. But I'll do everything I can to help you live longer."

She had figured it out. And there was just no way she could stand by and do nothing-not with Hudson. If it were anyone else, maybe she'd turn away. But not him. They got along. And besides, she was friends with Lance too, and she knew that if something happened to Hudson, it would destroy him.

Maybe she couldn't fix everything. But she could try.

Hudson gave her a tired look. "I know you'd help if you could. But this is... complicated," he said, rubbing his temples. "Honestly, it's better if you don't know. Knowing, but being powerless to help? That's worse. This is my choice. It's got nothing to do with you. My time's running out. I just don't want Lance to be miserable before he has to be."

"But if he doesn't know anything until the end, it'll hit him like a ton of bricks." Calliope's heart squeezed in her chest. She felt for both of them. People called her the Miracle Doctor, bring

said she could work whe

people back from the brink but she knew better. There were some things even she couldn't heal.

Sometimes, it was just fate.

"I get it. But if he finds out now, he'll be miserable from this moment on," Hudson

said quietly. "I just want him to have a few more happy days."

"I don't think he's that happy right now, anyway," Calliope shot back, unconvinced.

"What's this about being happy?" a new voice chimed in from the stairs.

Lance came bounding down, suspicious eyes darting between Calliope and Hudson.

"Nothing," Hudson said, managing a faint smile. “Come on, let's eat."

"Sure thing!" Lance grinned, then turned to Calliope, his look turning serious. "Babe, did you check my brother out? What's going on with him?"noveldrama

Calliope glanced at Hudson, weighing her words.

"I'm fine," Hudson interjected quickly. "No need to bother Callie. I'm too busy for doctor appointments anyway."

"Lance, your brother really seems swamped lately," Calliope said thoughtfully, chewing her toast. "Maybe you could help him with some of the company stuff. Get him

to stay home for a thorough get bet

check-up."