Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 707

The room buzzed with movement. Medical staff came and went, but to Jayson, the only sound that rang clearly was his own heartbeat.

Liam calmly recounted the events as someone who had witnessed them from the sidelines. He didn't need to exaggerate—every detail was enough to make Jayson's hair stand on end.

Jayson's face was deathly pale. Something within him was crumbling, reflected starkly in his eyes.

"She was forced into many things," Liam said evenly. "Even if Ariel had chosen the abortion, you had no right to blame her. It was her life on the line. She had no choice if she wanted to live."

Jayson had been there that day, waiting outside the operating room, though his mind had been clouded by misunderstandings. Judging by Janice's remarks, Liam could already piece together Jayson's attitude. Jayson and Ariel had even gone so far as to part ways because of it.

Yet, the truth was plain—Ariel had been the greatest victim. She had suffered both physically and mentally, despite doing nothing wrong.

As a doctor, Liam knew he shouldn't let himself empathize too much. But he couldn't help it. Ariel had endured far too much alone.

"She never told me anything," Jayson muttered, his voice hollow, as though struck by a hammer.

"That doesn't surprise me," Liam replied matter-of-factly. "She was deeply hurt and depressed. Your attitude would naturally determine whether she felt safe enough to confide in you."

Ariel had been lost and helpless back then. She couldn't possibly have the strength or energy to deal with Jayson's emotions and resentment.

What could Ariel even possibly do in that situation?

Jayson felt as if all his strength had been drained from his body. He wasn't even sure what kind of expression he should have on his face. He braced himself against the wall, struggling even to breathe.

Lowering his gaze, he clutched his chest and rasped, "Does she… have a good chance of recovery?"

"The success rate is about 20% if you insist on preserving her uterus," Liam replied frankly. "There's a high probability of failure. And if it fails, the cancer will spread faster, cutting her life short."

"But if her uterus is removed…" Liam's gaze sharpened, landing on the man before him, who looked ready to break. "That is, without question, the safest choice."

Liam himself felt conflicted. With Ariel's earlier condition, his treatment plan could have preserved her uterus and perhaps even left her the chance to conceive. But the incident had worsened her illness beyond repair.

The cruel truth hit Jayson like a blow. His eyes widened, his composure shattering under the weight of it.

Liam fell silent. He knew very well how grave this was for most men. For a woman to suffer a chronic illness with little chance of recovery, and to lose her ability to bear children—it was a bitter fate.

And in this world, only a rare few men would overlook all of that and wish for nothing more than their wives' health.