Chapter 4 Lily had been reaching out to Jason more and more lately .
Luckily , we had been drowning in work for the companys biggest project .
Jason was too busy to leave the office , which meant he wasnt forcing me to see her .
< Finally , after weeks of exhausting work , we wrapped up the final stages .
It was past midnight when we got home .
Both of us collapsed onto the couch , completely drained .
Not long after , Jason clutched his stomach , groaning in pain .
A sharp instinct flared inside me .
I thought back to the past few weeks he hadnt been eating properly , running on caffeine and sheer willpower .
Especially today .
The only thing hed consumed was coffee .
I knew my body .
An empty stomach and stress were the perfect triggers for gastritis .
Jason broke into a sweat , his face pale as a sheet , his body curled up in agony .
What … whats happening to me ? he rasped .
Gastritis .

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I let out a quiet sigh , heading to the drawer for medicine .
Empty .
Right .
I had finished the last dose .
We need to get you to a hospital .
This prescription isnt over the counter .
I helped him up , preparing to leave , when his phone rang .
It was Lily .
I pressed the speakerphone , and her panicked voice spilled through the line .
Jason ! Its Momo shes been so weak these past two days .
I think shes sick .
As she kept talking , her voice started to tremble , and soon , she was sniffing through the phone .
Im really scared .
Can you come home and take us to the vet ? I turned to Jason .
I already knew what would happen next .
Whenever Lily cried , no matter the situation , Jason would drop everything .
Just like that time .
That time when I was the one in pain .
That time when I had begged him to take me to the hospital .
Lily had called then , too .
She was crying , saying her dog was about to give birth .
Jason hadnt hesitated .
Shh , dont cry .
You know I cant stand it when you cry .
Ill be right there .
I had grabbed his sleeve , my body trembling from the pain , tears spilling down my face as I pleaded .
Please , just take me to the hospital first .
But he had yanked his arm away , his voice sharp with irritation .
7:33 AM < Stop being so dramatic .
Itll pass .
Momos our dog .
Shes giving birth for the first time .
Im her dad I cant miss this .
And then he had left without looking back .
I had barely managed to call an mbulance myself , hands shaking .
Hours later , while I was lying in a hospital bed with an IV drip in my arm , Jason had been celebrating .
He had posted a picture online he and Lily was cuddling the newborn puppies .
The caption read : [ Officially dog parents ! So happy ! ] After five years with Jason Miller .
That was the moment I had finally , completely , given up Now , Lilys sniffles echoed through the speaker .
Jason ? Did you hear me ? I need you .
Im scared .
Jason swayed , his body barely holding up .
His lips trembled as he tried to form words .
Do you … do you think I should go ? I tilted my head , watching him .
You tell He hesitated .
For once , he hesitated .
Then , gritting his teeth , he gasped , Take me to the hospital .
I … I cant take this .
A slow smirk showed on my face .
I turned to the phone .
Jos sick .
Im taking him to the hospital .
Take Momo to the vet yourself .
But Jason , Momo- I hung up before she could finish .
Jason was already collapsing against me .
on him .
? I had planned to let him suffer a little .
Just enough for him to understand what I had gone through .
But this was still my body .
I wasnt about to mess around .
I rushed him to the hospital , got his prescription , and brought him home .
As he rested , I went to the kitchen to make something light .
I was stirring a pot of porridge when the door swung open .
It was Lily .
She blinked in surprise .
Jason ? Youre cooking ? She laughed .
You hate cooking .
I kept my voice calm .
Jos sick .
She doesnt have much of an appetite .
Takeout isnt great for digestion , so Im making porridge .
It was an excuse , but she didnt need to know that .
Her gaze flickered toward the steaming bowl , something dark flashing in her eyes .
Jealousy .
7:33 AM < But when she looked back at me , her expression softened into something fragile and sweet .
She stepped closer , looping her arm around mine .
Jason , lets go check on Momo together .
Shes still not eating , and she needs her dad .
She needs her family .
I swallowed down the nausea crawling up my throat and smoothly slipped my arm free .
Shes sick .
Take her to a vet .
Im not a doctor .
I snapped the lid onto the container , my tone flat .
I need to bring Jo her food .
I didnt turn back as I walked out .
But I could feel the anger rolling off her in waves .
At the hospital , Jason had recovered enough to sit up .
He looked at me , confused .
Since when was your gastritis this bad ? I packed away the containers , my voice steady .
Its always been this bad .
His brows furrowed .
Really ? Of course , he wouldnt know .
The condition had started when I used to accompany him to business events , drinking on an empty stomach , and pushing past my limits .
The first time I had collapsed in pain , Jason had held me close , eyes red rimmed as he swore , Jo , Ill never let you suffer like this again .
Ill take care of you .
So I had stopped complaining .
I swallowed the pain and bore it alone .
Until that time .
Until he had left me for a dog .
Until he had walked away like I was nothing .
Jasons face shifted , as if something had finally clicked .
So … when you said you were sick before … you werent faking it ? I shot him a dry look .
His expression faltered , guilt creeping in .
I thought you were just jealous of Lily .
That you were trying to stop me from going to her .
I didnt respond .
Didnt even look at him .
I simply stood , brushing invisible dust off my clothes .
Get some rest .
As I reached the door , his voice stopped me , Im sorry .
ว I didnt turn around .
And I didnt answer .