Chapter 11
Before long, Emmett was on the operating table, every second a battle between life and death. Outside, the Reid family fell apart, their cries turning into frantic, angry shouts.
Ambrose stood quietly beside me, one arm wrapped around my
shoulders.
The Reids threatened that if Emmett didn’t pull through, we’d pay dearly alongside him.
For a moment, I was stunned. It wasn’t until John and Patricia arrived that the tension started to lift.
Jolene recognized the Talericos. Though fury lingered within her, it was ultimately powerless. After all, the Talerico family had firmly established itself as an unshakable presence. Ambrose bent closer, his breath whispering against my ear. “You don’t blame me, do you?”
My mind was a complete blur as I shook my head. This time, I was sure he had heard me. Suddenly, the doctor burst out of the operating room. “We managed to stabilize the patient, but he’s still in a coma. Now, it’s all up to fate.”
The Reid family’s brief moment of relief quickly gave way to tears.
Their family’s once proud heir lay motionless on the hospital bed. No one knew if he would ever open his eyes again.
Since that day, Jolene carried a deep resentment toward both the Talericos and me. But despite all her efforts, she never managed to inflict even the slightest damage on us..
Meanwhile, John and Patricia were livid. When they found out Emmett had hurt me, they even threatened to cut off all his medical care. In the end, it was I who had to step in and stop them.
A silent tension lingered between Ambrose and me.
We were still living in the same apartment. What had once been a cozy, comforting space now felt tight and oppressive.
It was clear we both needed space. However, I couldn’t find the words to say it, and Ambrose never brought it up, either.
Every day, he continued to prepare all three meals for me, just as he always had.
The school transfer went smoothly. It felt as if Ambrose had everything perfectly under control from the start.
At last, I realized what had been wrong all along.
I made my way back to the seaside town where we had lived and knocked on the door of Ambrose’s neighbor.
“Two years ago? I remember it well. Right after you went to rescue someone, Ambrose knocked out his adoptive father and disappeared.”
Chapter 11
2/2
With my heart shattered, I closed my eyes and turned away.
Upon returning to the apartment, I found Ambrose sitting at the dining table. The room was
cloaked in darkness.
Startled, I sank into the chair across from him, tears streaming down my face. Meeting his gaze, I asked, “W–When exactly were you reborn? Was it before me or after?”
In the faint light, Ambrose’s eyes were dark and unreadable. “Does it matter? Or are you starting to have second thoughts?”
“I’ve never regretted a thing. But what I despise most are lies. You’ve always known that. As I’ve said before, I can handle anything except the pain of being left in the dark.”
Ambrose stayed silent for a while before he asked, his voice shaking, “So… Do you not want me anymore?”
With bloodshot eyes, he slowly pushed himself to his feet. But suddenly, he collapsed backward.
I caught him just in time, my heart pounding with panic.
Ambrose clutched his head, his fingers tightening around my sleeve. Looking up at me, he asked, ” Are you done with me?”
The moonlight outside painted shadows across his face.
Seeing the tears tracing down his cheek, my heart softened, and I drew in a deep breath. Leaning in close, I kissed his ear gently.
“This is my last chance with you,” I whispered.
He wrapped me in his arms, his sobs shaking his body.
Ambrose was a man of his word. From that day forward, there were no more secrets between us.
As the seasons changed, we finally laid the past to rest. Together, we embarked on a new chapter of our lives.
On the day we graduated from university, we returned home and got married.
Years passed swiftly.
One autumn, the Reid family declared bankruptcy.
As for Emmett, despite everything, he continued his treatment, with Heather faithfully by his side. But in the end, he still passed away.
On the day of his burial, Heather jumped from a 30–story building. Her death stunned everyone.
As I read the headline in the newspaper, my heart sank. A strange thought flickered through my mind once again, but I pushed it aside and instead turned to rest in Ambrose’s arms.
Outside, the sun blazed brightly. It was a rare day of clear skies. Everything felt beautiful, brimming with endless possibilities.
I hoped they shared that same hope.
