Marrying The Billionaire Who Was Terminally Ill

06

Chapter 06

"Why don't we just enroll Peri in school?"

Sebastian interjected, feet propped on the table, sitting beside Aldeus.

"Shut up. Maybe you forgot you still owe me. You hid Peri," Bree snapped irritably. Sebastian grimaced. That was another reason they were all there. Peri had run away again and was with Sebastian—and worst of all, Sebastian lied to them.

"Volkov, I understand Peri is your best friend, but taking his side and lying to us is wrong," Aldeus said. Sebastian scratched his head. It wasn't the last time Sebastian had done it.

"Leave Sebastian alone. Only Sebastian can be with Peri when that kid decides to leave. It's better than him being alone," Arthur said. Hilda grimaced, stating that they couldn't leave Peri alone.

"The more we restrain Peri, the more he resists. It's better to just enroll him in school."

Hilda paused and asked if it was okay.

"If he has freedom, he won't have a reason to run away anymore."

—

"Did you see? Our parents still care about your feelings and opinions," Bree said, now sitting on the edge of the bed where her brother sat.

Curtains surrounded the bed. The boy hugged his knees, staring at the other side of the room.

"I don't want attention, and I don't want school."

Bree asked what Castor wanted to happen.

"Twin bro, we don't know what to do with you anymore."

Castor had been diagnosed with heart failure since he was a baby. Castor couldn't count how many times he'd entered the operating room. He had lost all fear of needles, injections, and scalpels.

"Do you know that feeling when even the idea of me breathing irritates me? It makes me more sick."

Bree tightly gripped the bedsheet.

"Peri, once you undergo surgery, your breathing will be okay again," Bree said, full of expectation, looking at her brother on the other side of the curtain.

The boy glanced at Bree and said it was the eighth time she had said that. He always heard it from their parents too.

"I don't understand, Peri. We do everything to keep you alive because we still want to be with you, but why don't you want to fight anymore?"

Bree stood up, frustration clear on her face, still looking at Peri's side.

"If you think stubbornly refusing surgery helps and eases our minds, you're wrong. Do you want this? We're all sinking in anxiety and fear because of your lack of interest in living."

Peri didn't react. When Bree left and closed the door, Peri leaned on his knees.

"Annoying."

As agreed, Peri would go to school, and he didn't want to stand out, so he planned to use a different surname.

"Why do they have to stay in the dorm?" Hilda asked, worried. The next day Peri would enter school, and they were in the living room. Maids were packing Peri's things.

It had only been two days since Peri agreed to go to the University, and the next day he would enter it.

"The security is strict. Don't worry too much, and Peri will be with Sebastian in the dorm. The twins and Beryl are also in school. Let Peri be."

Hilda glared at Arthur. Arthur raised his hands.

"But it wasn't part of the deal to put Peri in a dorm and have him stay at the university—"

Peri hugged his mother, saying he would call every day.

"Peri!"

Hilda held her son's shoulders and looked at him worriedly.

"I'll do my best to enjoy the new environment, Mama."

The boy smiled sweetly. Bree put a hand on her forehead, noticing her mother's dazed expression and the maids around.

"You know we're going to be late. Let's go, Mama. We'll take care of Peri."

Bree kissed her mother's forehead and hugged her father.

"Call us often, okay?"

Arthur kissed his daughter on the forehead and held Peri by the shoulders.

When they were in the parking lot—Castor entered the car first. Beside him was his twin sister, Beryl.

Castor Pierro Nicastro, 20 years old. He had deep green eyes like his father, a perfect nose, jawline, and flawless skin. The man's face was perfect from head to toe, so it was nonsense to say that one of the direct heirs of the Nicastro family looked like a monster.

Of course, it's impossible to be born perfect—Castor had an incurable disease, and simple surgeries couldn't fix it. Even with a perfect life and family, Castor was one of the millions of people with a fate not destined for longevity.

Even though they were rich, had money, and were powerful—no one could cure Castor or give him the will to live.

Bree looked at her twin. Castor's eyes were lifeless as he stared out the window, watching the large trees along the road.

"Your fiancée is arriving at the University today. Do you want to see her?"

Castor quickly answered no, saying he wasn't interested. Bree bit her lip.

Bree was startled when someone touched her lower lip. She turned to the other side and saw Sebastian looking at her, his hand on her cheek.

"Let him be."

In business, class, and other physical activities, Bree didn't feel tired, but she didn't expect to be drained just from talking to her twin.

Bree leaned on Sebastian Volkov. Sebastian looked at his friend.

"Don't ever try to approach me during class or act like you know me. Leave me alone," Peri said, bored. Bree closed her eyes tightly to stop herself from punching her twin.

"Anyway, Haven. You mentioned that Miss Bailey is also arriving at the University today. What grade is she in, and what class?" Sebastian asked. Bree sat up properly, almost forgetting she would see Bailey again.

"She's a first-year high school student in class A, and did you know she aced the entrance exam and got bonus points from the teachers," Bree said, delighted. Bree's mood brightened just at the mention of Bailey's name.

From Sebastian's peripheral vision, he saw Peri glance at them briefly.

"Isn't it because she's a Madrigal?" Sebastian asked. Bree quickly replied no.

"Since she became Peri's fiancée, Mama took responsibility for raising Bailey because we knew her situation in the Madrigal mansion. The Madrigals wouldn't invest in Bailey out of responsibility or parenting."

Bree explained that Bailey took the exam, got a full scholarship given only twice every five years, and the Nicastro family didn't pay anything.

"There was no favoritism, and the dean himself informed Mama of the results."

It was blatantly clear that Bailey didn't deserve her brother. It was a pity.

Before they reached the second gate of the University, Castor got out of the car. Castor said he didn't want to enter the University with them.

"Per—"

Castor closed the car door. He wore a hood and a facemask as he walked away from the car.

Sebastian and Bree couldn't get out because many students were walking around.

"This area is also part of the University. Peri will be fine."

It seemed that the main gate was farther than Castor expected, and there were more people.

Castor stopped when someone bumped into him. Castor was on the upper part of the gutter, but because his body was weak, he quickly lost balance when someone bumped into him.

He was about to fall, but before he could hit the ground, someone grabbed his waist.

He placed one arm around the person's neck and lay down on their arm.

"Are you okay?"

Castor blinked because a girl had caught him and was now staring at him.

His senses quickly returned after seeing their position, and he immediately pushed the girl away.

The girl's things fell to the ground. Castor turned away, his expression sour.

"He didn't even say thank you. Rude."

Bailey shook her head and picked up her things.

When Bailey gathered her books, she thought again about the indignity her sister had done to her earlier.

She had just been dropped off and left. Bailey said her sister was too immature.

She saw the boy again, now stuck in a water drainage.

Bailey sighed and approached him, asking what he was doing there.

"Maybe I'm sunbathing here."

The boy looked up. Their eyes met, and Bailey frowned.

"Do you need help?" Bailey asked, frowning. The boy immediately answered no and tried to free his foot again.

Bailey turned away, not wanting to expose herself to people like that. Those who were being helped but were too proud.

"Oww."

Bailey stopped and turned around. The boy's arm was trembling, and tears were welling up.

"Why am I so unlucky today?"

Annoyed, Bailey returned and positioned herself in front of Castor. She took off her bag and tried to remove the water drainage cover.

After two minutes, Bailey managed to free Castor's foot from the water drainage.

"It hurts."

Bailey's eyes narrowed, looking at Castor, whose ears and eyes were red. It seemed he was about to cry from a small scratch.

"Let me clean it—"

"No! Your hands might be dirty."

Bailey clenched her fist, resisting the urge to punch the boy.

Guess what—less than seven minutes later, and Castor tripped again.

"What planet is that boy from? He's tripping on flat ground."

There weren't many people in the University yet because classes wouldn't start until next week, and only those who were dorming were required to be around.

"Is Miranda okay? This is all Beatrice's fault. If I had known she would do this, I would have gone with Miranda and taken a taxi."

Bailey looked up and gazed at the building not far from where she stood, then at the sign.

"I will study hard, graduate, leave the Madrigal mansion, start a business, and do my best to be deserving of my future husband."

As expected, her high school experience at that University wouldn't be easy—why?

"Beatrice."

Bailey gritted her teeth while staring at Beatrice. Beatrice was sitting, fearfully looking at Bailey.

"What are you doing to Beatrice again, Bailey!"

Aelous Tayson Nicastro arrived and knelt down to help Beatrice.

Bailey was holding a piece of paper now torn in half. That piece of paper was an invitation card for the seniors' party. Bree gave it to her because Bree wanted her to go.

"No—I didn't mean to tear the paper, Bailey."

Bailey couldn't help but feel annoyed with everyone.

"You don't need to be mad at Beatrice and hurt her. Why don't you just ask Bree for another one?"

'Is Aelous referring to Haven?'

Beatrice asked Aelous if he could give the invitation to Bailey instead.

"No! That's for you, Beatrice. You'll attend to be my partner."

'Oh my, is Aelous pursuing Beatrice?'

Bailey looked at the torn paper in her palms.

Bailey left the classroom, ignoring Beatrice's call. She was fed up with Beatrice's acts, and every time she saw the girl's face, she felt like vomiting.

Three months after classes started, not a single day passed without Beatrice meddling with her.

"Bailey? Why is your uniform like that? Are you okay?"

She saw Adelous. He was wearing a varsity uniform and holding a ball.

"Bailey—"

Without any emotion, Bailey turned to Beatrice, who had followed her out. Bailey's face soured, and she asked if Beatrice's drama still wasn't over.

"Isn't the attention you got earlier in the classroom enough, and now you followed me here?"

"Bailey! Why do you speak to your sister that way?"

Adelous slightly combed his hair and asked Aelous what was happening there.

"Adel—"

"I'm not talking to you," Adelous cut off and snapped at Beatrice.

Again, Bailey just wanted a quiet and normal high school life. What was so hard about that? Now, even the Nicastro twins were dragged into her and her sister's mess.