Tessa recognized the look on Anne’s face. She decided to help her by asking, “Anne, do you have something to say to me?”

Anne hesitated before saying, “Tessa, could you… Could you put on some makeup for me?”

Tessa was stunned.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’m not recovering. I’m getting weaker by the day. Every time Lucas stops by, I can see how red his eyes are. I know he’s upset. I don’t want Lucas to worry about me.”

Tears pricked the back of Tessa’s eyes as despair crashed over her in relentless waves. “Of course, I can do that for you. You have such a cute face that you’ll look beautiful with makeup on.”

A smile crept up on Anne’s face, resulting in two dimples burrowing themselves into her pale cheeks. “You really think so?”

“I know so!” Tessa reassured Anne with a nod, ignoring the stinging sensation in her nose. “I’ll bring my makeup products with me when I see you tomorrow. I’ll give you the prettiest makeover.”

“Okay,” Anne agreed, her eyes curving into crescents.

In the stairwell, Stephen was on the phone with Lawrence.

“Mr. Jacobson, the men we sent to Arcton have reported back to us. James has run into a significant roadblock at an important phase of the project. There’s a high chance that the project will fall apart.”

“Good.” Stephen was passive as he asked, “Is Jacqueline also in Arcton?”

“Yes. We have confirmed that she was James’ contact when she was still in the country. Our men have also discovered her address in Arcton.”

Stephen’s eyes flashed dangerously. He demanded authoritatively, “Capture her and bring her back here. I have some things I want to ask her personally.” “Understood!”

After disconnecting the call, Stephen returned to Anne’s ward. Tessa was still engaged in a lively conversation with Anne. They were smiling, looking like they were having a lot of fun.

When he looked their way, Anne immediately avoided his gaze and whispered something to Tessa.

The smile on Tessa’s face widened after hearing her words. Stephen looked at the pair curiously. “What’s gotten the both of you looking so happy?”

Tessa’s mysterious reply was, “It’s a secret.”

He was about to say something else when his phone rang again. This time, he took the call in the ward.

“Mr. Jacobson, we have found a suitable bone marrow that fits your preferences,” the person on the other line declared after the call connected.

Stephen glanced at Tessa. “Bring the person to the hospital tomorrow for a check- up.”

“Understood.”

After he ended the call, he walked over to Tessa’s side. He told her gently, “Tess, a suitable bone marrow has been found.”

It seemed that Tessa had a hard time understanding his words. She asked him dazedly, “What did you say?”

His expression was gentle as he patiently repeated, “I said, we found a suitable bone marrow. Anne’s treatment can proceed.”

A flurry of emotions crossed Tessa’s

face before it finally settled on joy Tears of happiness fell from her eyes. She wiped them away hurriedly before grabbing Anne’s hands excitedly.

She was half-crying and half-smiling when she said, “Anne, did you hear that? We

found a suitable bone marrow! Your sickness can be cured!”

Anne was stunned. Her eyes rapidly reddened. “Can my sickness really be cured?”

“It can!” Tessa rushed to reassure her, her voice thick with tears. “I told you not to give up. You can definitely be saved!”

“That’s great…” Tears began to well up in Anne’s eyes as well. She mumbled, “Lucas doesn’t have to worry about me anymore…”

It was a joyous occasion. All of Tessa’s built-up worries were suddenly wiped clean. On the way home, Tessa held Stephen’s hand tightly while she chattered on and on

She was still in high spirits after they made it back to the apartment.

Stephen saw how the furrow in her brow had smoothed out, his own spirits lifting at the comforting sight. The two of them were cuddled on the couch. Without them realizing, the atmosphere around them shifted, charging the air with tension.

He tightened his grip on Tessa’s hand as the desire in his eyes grew in intensity.