2nd. Season -
Early in the morning, Lane was already sitting in car, feeling like a madman for doing such a foolish thing. He just wanted to know if the figure he saw that day was Carlyle.
If it was Carlyle, why did his sister lie to him?
She knew how deeply he loved her and that he would marry no one else in this life.
After an hour, Lane saw Xavier and his family leave the house. He followed them.
They first dropped Leo off at school, then drove on. The car didn’t head towards the company. Where were they going?
The car soon turned right onto another road, finally stopping at Alison’s parents’ house. Lane muttered to himself, "So she’s visiting her family. Maybe I’m overthinking this." Just as he was about to turn the steering wheel and leave, he saw a familiar figure open the door and step out.
Wearing a beanie, with a slender body and a pale face—it was Carlyle!
Lane’s heart pounded wildly. He couldn’t believe Carlyle was at his sister’s family home. But she looked different. Was she ill?
Watching from a distance, he saw Alison help Carlyle into Xavier’s car.
Their car started quickly, heading to a hospital.
When they entered the cancer ward, Lane felt like he was going to collapse. Was this why Carlyle disappeared two years ago?
Xavier took off first, and right on cue, Carlyle stepped into the clinic for her appointment.
After her appointment, they walked to the hospital café. Lane took a seat behind them.
"Carlyle, you're really glowing these days," Alison remarked with a smile, "Looks like those meds Dr. Coby prescribed are doing wonders for you."
"Dr. Coby suggested we try this targeted therapy first and see how it goes," Carlyle shared, her previously downcast features finally brightening into a smile after so many days of worry.
"That’s great, Carlyle! You’re recovering," Alison said, then hesitated. "Lane is back in the U.S. Do you want to see him?"
The moment Carlyle heard Lane's name, the small spoon she had been using to stir her milk in the cup paused mid-motion. She missed him so much.
Alison observed her expression. "What’s wrong? Missing him？"
Carlyle lowered her head, tears rolling down her cheeks, as she nodded faintly and whispered, "Yeah."
"Carlyle, why do you put yourself through this?"
"Alison, I don’t know how long I have left. I don’t want to ruin his future. I don’t want him to suffer with me or see me at my worst."
"Carlyle, you think too much. If Lane knew you were sick and you didn’t tell him, he’d be devastated. He’s never stopped looking for you. You know he loves you deeply."
"Alison, let him hate me. I’d rather he hates me than worry about my illness or endure my death."
"So, you chose to disappear," Alison said, looking at her.
"So you'd rather leave without a word!" Alison exclaimed, looking at her.
Wiping away her tears, Carlyle replied, "Alison, please, let's not talk about it anymore. That's just how it has to be. Anyway, if you know any good women, introduce them to him quickly. Your stepfather also hopes he gets married soon, to take over Evokx Future Group sooner rather than later."
"Carlyle, can you really let go of the one you love?"
"Alison, I'm not willing to give up, but...but my health leaves me no choice but to accept my fate. Maybe leaving sooner, letting me be with Sonny, would be for the best!"
"Don’t talk like that, Carlyle. Look, your health is improving. I believe you can have another baby in the future." Alison took off Carlyle’s beanie.
"Your hair is growing back."
Carlyle touched her hair. "Really? It hasn’t been falling out as much."
"You need to have faith in yourself. You’ll recover soon," Alison said. Her phone rang. It was a call from Leo’s school, reminding her of a parent-teacher conference she had completely forgotten.
"Go, Alison," Carlyle urged.
Alison hesitated. "Carlyle, can you get home on your own? Should I call Gareth?"
"I’ll be fine. I want to walk alone for a bit. I’ll call you when I’m home."
"Okay, just give me a call later so I know everything's alright," Alison said to her.
After Alison left, Lane turned around, his eyes red, looking at Carlyle’s back. The sight of her pained him deeply.
You foolish woman, why wouldn’t you let me be with you?
After a long while, Carlyle rose to her feet, each step carrying her out of the hospital. Unnoticed, Lane trailed behind her, his heart aching to wrap his arms around her fragile frame, but he restrained himself. He vowed to stay by her side discreetly, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal himself and renew his vow to spend his life with her.
The scorching sun beat down upon Carlyle, and suddenly, a wave of dizziness swept over her. In that instant of faltering, Lane sprang forward, catching her in his embrace just as she was about to collapse.
Carlyle gazed upon the man before her, the very Lane she had yearned for day and night, almost doubting her own eyes. In a soft whisper, she uttered, "Lane... is it really you...?"
Watching Carlyle lying on the hospital bed, Lane felt a deep ache in his heart.
Carlyle’s phone rang. Lane answered. "Hello..."
Alison's voice shook with astonishment as she exclaimed, "Wait—Lane, how—how is it you on the phone?"
"Alison...why did you hide this from me? You know how much pain I've been in these past two years?"
Alison's tone turned frantic as she asked, "Carlyle... Carlyle, what happened to her?"
Lane cast a glance at Carlyle, who was lying in the hospital bed, and said, "She's alright, just experienced a bout of low blood sugar that caused her to pass out. The doctor says there's nothing to worry about. She should wake up any moment now."
Relief washed over Alison as she said, "As long as she's okay."
"Let's meet tonight. I want to hear everything straight from you."
Alison, realizing she couldn't avoid it, agreed, "Alright, we'll talk then."
Lane and Dr. Coby stepped out of the emergency room.
"Lane, long time no see!" Coby greeted him warmly.
Lane's face was clouded with sorrow as he replied, "Coby, I never imagined meeting you like this, especially as Carlyle's attending physician."
Coby gave him a curious look and couldn't help but inquire, "What's your relationship with Miss Carlyle?"
"Liv... Carlyle is my fiancée. She left without a word two years ago, just when we were about to get married." Recalling the agony of the past two years, he looked back at Coby and continued, "Coby, can you tell me about Carlyle's condition?"
They chatted for a while, and as Lane prepared to leave, he asked Coby to keep their encounter confidential for now. He wanted to find the perfect moment to reveal himself to Carlyle.
Glancing back at her one last time, Lane murmured to himself,
"Carlyle, I've finally found you. I won't let you be alone again."
