She looked tranquil, as if she had finally found the solace she had long sought. âJoelle!â
Shawn and Katherine arrived just then, having heard the news a bit late. âHow is Joelle?â
Adrian clutched his chest, the biting wind from earlier cutting through him with a cruel sharpness. He remained silent in response to Shawnâs question, instead staggering toward the ambulance.
Katherine quickly exclaimed, âShawn, letâs follow them to the hospital!â
In the ambulance, Adrian was so tense that he felt physically nauseated. He gripped Joelleâs hand tightly, his bloodshot eyes filled with desperate intensity. âPlease, save her.â
âPlease calm down, sir,â the doctor said, trying to soothe him.
Adrianâs vision blurred again, the thought of Joelleâs potential death churning his stomach.
When the ambulance arrived at the hospital, both Joelle and Adrian were carried inside. After receiving urgent treatment, Joelle narrowly escaped death, though she remained deeply unconscious, her body marked by numerous injuries. Adrian, on the other hand, was in a more stable condition. The doctor administered a sedative to help calm his frazzled nerves.
As soon as he awoke, his first instinct was to inquire about Joelleâs condition.
Callan, ever composed, offered his support. âMr. Miller, Ms. Watson is no longer in danger. You need to rest. Her friend and brother are by her side.â
Adrian coughed repeatedly, his fists tightening in frustration, utterly exasperated by the weakness of his own body.
âFind out why Joelle jumped. We need to know who pushed her to confront those disparaging comments online.â
âUnderstood,â Callan replied. âMr. Miller, the authorities stopped by earlier as well.â
âWhat did the police say?â Adrian asked.
Callan answered truthfully. The police wanted to question Adrian about Wadeâs whereabouts, but since Adrian had been unconscious, Callan had stepped in. His account matched Joelleâsâthey didnât know Wade. The police had told him that Ryland could still be alive. The coffin had been empty, so a DNA test couldnât be performed. Whoever was behind this must be hiding something. Why take a body unless there was a reason to keep it concealed?
Adrian clung to the hope this could offer Joelle some solace. Maybe the idea that Ryland wasnât truly gone would ease her pain, even if just a little. But he couldnât afford to believe too much, not without risking fueling a hope that might later be shattered.
That night, Adrian stayed by Joelleâs side, holding her hand. He didnât move, didnât eat or drink, his gaze fixed on her peaceful face.
Shawn had endured many ups and downs throughout his life. One after another, he had weathered the storms, but he still couldnât fully process everything. He had already lost so muchâhis mom and dad, and now his sister had jumped off a building. What was the point of everything heâd done all these years?
Was he destined to watch his family fall apart, piece by piece, until only ghosts remained?
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