At thepetition venue


    Evelyn''s brush moved with a graceful certainty, each stroke shaping the outline of "Rebirth? as inspiration poured through her, bright and boundless.


    Then, out of nowhere-


    "Ah!"


    A stabbing pain, sharp as a knife, ripped through her chest. Her hand jerked violently, the brush cutting a harsh, ugly line across the pure white paper, leaving a deep ck mark that marred her work.


    "Ms. Josephine! Are you okay?"


    Her assistant, startled and worried, rushed to catch her as she swayed unsteadily.


    Evelyn''s face was ghostly pale, cold sweat breaking out on her brow. She pressed her hand to her chest and forced a shaky smile. "I''m... I''m fine. Probably just a little tired."


    But as soon as she said it, a wave of panic crashed over her, swallowing her whole. It was as if an icy hand had grabbed her heart, squeezing so tight she could hardly breathe.


    One face filled her mind-Charlie.


    The fear was crushing. There was no way she could keep painting, not like this.


    Thepetition rules were strict: a whole week in total istion, no contact with the outside world, all for the sake of fairness. Evelyn hated to break the rules, but her heart was in turmoil.


    Charlie was all she could think about.


    She''d left the hotel that morning, Charlie safe and smiling. But until she saw her child with her own eyes, there was no way she''d be able to settle down.


    Setting her brush aside, Evelyn asked her assistant to find the coordinator so she could get her phone.


    She dialed Charles''s number.


    Charles was in the grip of agony. The concentrated toxins burned through his veins like a million hot needles, gnawing and burrowing into his bones. Every nerve felt torn and set on fire. Each heartbeat sent a wave of suffocating pain, his muscles spasming uncontrobly, threatening to snap.


    Sweat and blood soaked through the straps that held him. He bit down on a


    special mouthguard, his gums splitting, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he fought to swallow the groans of pain that rumbled up from his chest.


    Just as he felt himself slipping away-


    Evelyn''s ringtone sounded in theb, clear and familiar.


    Forcing his bloodshot eyes open, Charles blinked through the haze.


    It was Eve!


    Summoning every bit of willpower he had left, he turned his gaze to Andrew.


    Andrew understood at once. Pushing down his own worry, he quickly motioned for the assistants to shut off the noisiest machines nearby.


    He picked up the vibrating phone and gently held it to Charles''s ear, adjusting it so Charles could hear.


    Charles sucked in a few shaky


    breaths, trying to steady himself, fighting down the pain and the urge to cry out. Every breath was a battle, but he grit his teeth, swallowing the blood and agony.


    He waited until his voice was almost steady before answering, "Eve..."


    "Charles, where''s Charlie?"


    Evelyn''s worry for their daughter was so sharp, she didn''t even notice


    the strain in Charles''s voice. The


    second the call connected, it was all she could ask.


    "She''s asleep."


    Charles didn''t tell her the truth. Partly because thispetition


    meant the world to Evely horret


    because he just couldn''t put


    through any more pain-not affer everything they''d faced. Watching their daughter suffer had nearly broken them both. He couldn''t let Evelyn go through that again.


    "Asleep?"


    Evelyn''s doubt was written all over her words.


    "Yeah. Hold on, I''ll go wake her up."


    His voice never wavered, making it impossible to doubt him.


    Evelyn hesitated-she hated waking Charlie if she was finally resting. As long as her daughter was alright, that was enough.


    "No, that''s okay. Just let me see her."


    Charles knew exactly what she meant. He understood Evelyn''s heart.


    So, he quietly sent over a video he''d taken earlier of Charlie, hoping it would bring her some peace.