The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 39

As soon as Lavinia returned from India, she rushed straight to Dr. Roland with the medication without a moment's rest.

To her dismay, when Dr. Roland heard that she had procured the drug herself and that it was a generic version, he adamantly refused to administer it to the patient.

At her wit's end, Charley suggested transferring hospitals.

He mentioned he had connections at a private international hospital and could arrange for a transfer there. While domestic hospitals were heavily restricted in their medication usage, international hospitals were much more willing to utilize new global treatments.

Lavinia discussed the transfer with her aunt and uncle, who exchanged a knowing look.

Aunt Mandy pulled Lavinia aside and lowered her voice to ask:

"Lavinia, is there something going on between you and Garnett?"

"No, everything is perfectly fine between us." Lavinia blinked.

"Stop lying to me," Mandy sighed. "Your uncle has been hospitalized with a severe illness, and Garnett hasn't shown up even once. He's not even as helpful as Saul's friend."

Lavinia froze.

Aunt Mandy looked at her with heartache. "Your uncle and I treat you like our own daughter. Let me give you a piece of advice: no matter how much you love him, don't let yourself suffer like this."

Latham weakly raised his hand. Aunt Mandy walked over, leaning her ear close to his lips to catch his faint words.

Coming back, Aunt Mandy said to Lavinia, "Your uncle says we should arrange the transfer as soon as possible. He doesn't want to accept any charity from the Harper family."

Lavinia smiled bitterly. What charity?

They were staying in a standard ward and paying all the medical bills out of their own pockets.

With the decision made, Lavinia stepped out of the room. Charley was waiting for her by the door.

"Have you decided?"

"Charley, my uncle agreed to the transfer."

"Alright. I'll go handle the paperwork. You start packing their things."

Dr. Roland was shocked by the Joplin family's decision to transfer, but there was nothing he could do. He could only politely beg Lavinia not to complain about him to Mr. Harper.

The transfer went incredibly smoothly; they moved that very day.

The new hospital campus was massive, with beautiful surroundings, and every room was a private suite.

Charley specifically reached out to a European specialist to serve as Latham's primary physician.

With time running out, the treatment plan was finalized the same day. The specialist reviewed the generic drug Lavinia brought back and immediately decided to use it and switch therapies.

Something urgent had come up at Saul's factory, forcing him to head back to handle it. Meanwhile, Lavinia stayed at the hospital, completely sleep-deprived, by her uncle's side for three solid days.

Lavinia had a very long dream.

In the dream, she was transported back to when she was twelve years old.

The ocean was as smooth as a mirror. She stood upon it, the water beneath her feet a solid, transparent expanse of deep blue.

A young boy held her hand, leading her forward. The light was blindingly bright, making it impossible to see his face. All she knew was that his hand was large and incredibly warm.

He told her, *Don't be afraid. I'm here.*

She followed him as they walked. The ocean stretched out endlessly beneath their feet.

As they walked, the boy's silhouette gradually elongated. His shoulders broadened, and the hand holding hers grew thicker and stronger.

He transformed into a mature man. Dressed in a pristine white suit, his eyes were incredibly gentle, as if he had stepped right out of the light.

He looked at her, smiled, and said,

*I've come back.*

...

When Lavinia finally woke up, she realized it was already dark outside.