One Weekend with the Billionaire

In the 23rd year of the Republic Era, at the Fort Hospital.

"Madam, your condition requires immediate treatment abroad. The longer you delay, the greater the risk to your life..." the doctor said with a grave expression.

Vivian Meng nodded, struggling to speak: "I understand, but please prescribe more medicine for now. Ill take it for a while longer."

"Commander Shen would be concerned to know about your health..." the doctor sighed.

Vivian immediately interjected: "Dont tell Ethan Shen. He has war matters to attend to."

If he were to hear about her incurable disease, he might immediately start taking concubines into the mansion, she thought bitterly, feeling a lump in her heart.

Leaving the hospital, Vivian Meng took a rickshaw back to the Northern Command Mansion.

As night fell, the first snow began to fall abruptly.

After taking her medicine, Vivian Meng stared blankly at the snow drifting outside her window.

Ever since she married Ethan Shen, the first snow of every year had fallen on her birthday.

But this year, Vivian Mengs heart for appreciating the snow was desolate.

The door creaked open, and heavy footsteps approached, bringing with them a biting cold wind.

Vivian Meng shivered but paused when she saw the knee-high military boots. "Ethan, youre back..." Vivian Mengs eyes, dull from despair, flickered with a glimmer of light.

"Your birthday gift for this year," Ethan Shen placed a brocade box on the low table, his expression cold and detached.

The light in Vivian Mengs eyes trembled slightly as she carefully opened the box.

Inside was a silk handkerchief embroidered with plum blossoms.

As Vivian Meng was about to take out the handkerchief, she suddenly noticed a long strand of womans hair wrapped around the corner of the handkerchief.

Was Ethan Shen using a token from his mistress to placate her?

"Commander is thoughtful, this gift is very feminine," Vivian Mengs face turned a shade paler, her fingers clenching the cotton blanket on her lap.

Ethan Shen furrowed his brows; years of being together had taught him that Vivian Meng was in a bad mood.

This woman only called him "Commander" when she was angry.

"I wont send any next year. If you want something in the future, take money from the accounts and buy it yourself," Ethan Shens thin lips moved, as he took off his military overcoat and entered the inner room.

Next year, he wouldnt even bother with the pretense.

Vivian Meng watched his back, whispering in a voice barely audible: "Im afraid... I wont make it to this time next year..."

She and Ethan Shen, it seemed, couldnt weather the seven-year itch.

Lost in thought, her chest began to ache again, making it hard to catch her breath.

Vivian Meng took out the date-red handkerchief from her sleeve, tilted her head back slightly, and nostrils.

The motion was practiced and seamless.

Soon, the warmth of blood filled her nostrils, yet there was no trace of blood on the date-red handkerchief.

As the doctor had said, the more frequently the bleeding, the more difficult the condition to treat.

Vivian Meng didnt want to go abroad; she couldnt bear to leave Ethan Shen.

She feared that if she left the north, the position of the Northern Command Mansions wife would be taken by someone else.

Although Ethan Shens heart was no longer with her, he hadnt forgotten that she was the wife he had taken in his youth with a grand sedan chair.

What was the point of living long without his company?

Once the bleeding in her nose stopped, Vivian Meng returned to the inner room and lay down beside Ethan Shen, fully dressed.

As usual, she raised her arm and gently embraced his strong waist, burying her head against the back of his neck.

"Ethan, its been a long time since youve held me while sleeping..." Vivian Mengs voice carried a hint of pleading.

"Next time, Im tired," Ethan Shen moved her hand away and shifted slightly towards the edge of the bed.

The chill spread throughout Vivian Mengs body as she looked at the back of his head, her eyes misting over.

Always the same words, how many "next times" did she have left?

What she wanted was merely his embrace...