Chapter 340
“You should really get a full work–up. Your blood results show several concerning anomalies… The doctor went on at length, but Clayton could barely process a word.
His thoughts were a tangled mess, and in the end, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and call Carson.
Carson was busy that morning speaking with the family of a patient. He had surgery scheduled later that afternoon and didn’t particularly want to take Clayton’s call.
But the phone kept buzzing, again and again.
Reluctantly, and perhaps out of respect for old times, he answered.
When he found out Clayton was at his hospital, he wrapped up with the family as quickly as he could and went to see him.
Clayton handed over the test results in silence. Carson read through them, his expression growing increasingly grim, before heading off to consult with the attending physician.
He returned nearly an hour later, pulled up a chair, and sat down at the bedside.
“Just tell me,” Clayton rasped, his voice raw and painful, as though his throat were lined with sandpaper. “Whatever it is, I can take it.”
Carson frowned and poured him a glass of water. He paused for a moment to find the right words.
“Caught early, stomach cancer can be treatable. If the tumor’s in the right location, and if the surgery goes well, the odds of making it past five years are actually pretty good…”
They had been friends for over a decade. Carson knew all too well that Clayton had suffered from stomach problems since college, and that there were entire food groups he had to avoid.
Just a few months ago, over dinner, Clayton had even mentioned that Audrey, though not without her flaws, was meticulous when it came to his diet. Since their marriage, his flare–ups had become rare.
And now, barely divorced, it had turned into cancer.
Carson couldn’t deny that Clayton had brought much of this on himself. But there was no point in saying that out loud. It would do nothing but deepen the misery.
Still, even though he didn’t say it, the judgment lingered in his eyes.
Clayton wasn’t blind, nor was he a fool. The silence stretched between them until finally, he covered his face with his hands.
He tried to hold back, biting his lip hard, but the tears came anyway, first silent, then wracking sobs that broke open from somewhere deep within.
Carson didn’t speak. There was nothing more he could offer, not as a doctor, not as a friend. He couldn’t even lend him the money for surgery.
Eventually, Clayton’s crying subsided. His voice now barely a whisper, he wiped his face with the sleeve of his hospital gown and looked up at Carson. There was desperation in his eyes. “They say I’ll need surgery, followed by chemo. I… right now I don’t have anyone else. Could you maybe… lend me…”
“I’m getting married,” Carson interrupted, his tone flat.
Clayton stared at him, stunned.
Carson let out a dry laugh. “Her name’s Paige. She works at Stride Commerce. Her dad works with my mom, actually, I didn’t mention it earlier when you
were still in Ashbourne.”
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Chapter 340
Once things with Paige had gotten serious, Carson had introduced her to his circle of friends. At one dinner, someone had brought up Clayton about l he’d come back after the divorce and was doing poorly. Some had expressed sympathy while others weren’t so kind.
Paige had taken one look at Carson and told him plainly that if he insisted on staying friends with Clayton, they were done.
That was when Carson realized just how deeply she disapproved. In her eyes, being close to Clayton meant you shared his failings, whatever they were.
So when Clayton returned to Ironhaven, Carson never reached out.
He hadn’t planned to. And if Clayton hadn’t come asking for money, he probably never would’ve.
He knew mentioning the engagement now was cruel, but also necessary. There was no longer a place for Clayton in his life.
But all Clayton heard was Stride Commerce. His heart lurched.
He thought, ‘She works at Stride Commerce? That’s perfect. She must know a way. Maybe she can help me see Audrey again!”
To Clayton, the cancer felt like justice, cosmic punishment. And surely, once Audrey found out, she would forgive him.
“You…” Carson had just begun when his phone rang.
He glanced down at the screen, sighed, and walked out of the hospital room.
“I’m on the fifth floor. You came up here? Okay. Wait for me in the office, I’ll be right there… No, of course not… Alright.”
When Carson returned, there was a weight behind his eyes as he looked at Clayton.
Clayton slowly pushed himself upright, gripping the blanket tightly, and forced a grin onto his pale face.
“Did you say your fiancée works at Stride Commerce? That’s great. You could arrange a get–together and invite Audrey. With those kinds of connections, I’m sure your fiancée’s someone the company values.”
Carson didn’t even blink. He knew exactly what Clayton was really after.
He remained standing near the doorway, his voice sharp with disbelief.
“Jesus, Clayton. Do you even hear yourself? After everything you did, how do you have the audacity to bring up Audrey’s name? You really think she’ll be impressed with Paige for dragging you back into her life?
“Or more likely disgusted? You honestly believe Audrey would just sit by while Paige risks her job for you?
“Let me make this clear. Even if Audrey says nothing, Paul sure as hell won’t. You think he’ll let someone like you within ten feet of her again? Let Paige stay at Stride after pulling a stunt like that?”
“I must’ve been blind, ever calling you a friend. You’re arrogant, selfish, always playing the victim…”
“Carson!” A woman’s voice rang down. And just like that, his fury vanished. In the blink of an eye, his features softened, a welcoming smile overtaking his
face.
The transformation was so jarring, that it left Clayton stunned, mouth still open from the scolding, rage still ringing in his ears.
A moment later, a striking young woman stepped into view.
She paused at the doorway, took one look inside, and her cheerful expression dropped the instant her eyes landed on Clayton.
“Carson, what did you promise me?” she asked, her voice tight.
“Paige, let me explain!” Carson reached out, gently taking her hand. He leaned in, speaking quietly. “He was just diagnosed with stomach cancer. One of the doctors knows we used to be friends and asked me to check on him. I couldn’t say no.”
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Paige pouted, clearly unimpressed, but allowed herself to be led into the room.
Carson made the introductions with stiff formality. “This is Paige, my fiancée. Paige, this is… Clayton. Someone I used to know
Clayton frowned at the phrasing, but said nothing.
His eyes remained fixed on Paige. And she, undeterred, met his gaze squarely.
“Clayton, right? Stomach cancer? That’s what I call poetic justice. You betray your wife, keep a mistress on the side, lean on your family’s name to humiliate Audrey, and now this? Looks like karma finally caught up.
“So? What stage is it? I hope it’s not too advanced. Wouldn’t want you dying too quickly. You should feet every inch of this, every needle, every scan, every moment of thinking you won’t make it to morning.
“You call yourself a lawyer? You twisted the law into a weapon, abused it to protect the powerful and crush the people who couldn’t fight back,
“And all that legal brilliance? What’d it get you? A prenup before the wedding, separate bank accounts after? What, was your wife supposed to share the pregnancy too? Six months each? Trade off on breastfeeding. Day shift for her, night shift for you?”
Her words were a machine gun of fury, biting and unrelenting.
A few nurses passing by couldn’t help but chuckle.
Clayton, white as a sheet, trembled with anger and humiliation.
Carson gripped Paige’s hand tightly, trying to bring her back down. He was a doctor here, after all. If someone accused his fiancée of pushing a patient into a medical episode, it wouldn’t just be a PR disaster. It could be legal.
“Paige, enough. He’s…”
O
“He’s what?” she snapped. “Pitiful? That’s the excuse? So a criminal grows a conscience after a cancer diagnosis and suddenly we’re all supposed to forgive and forget?”
