?Chapter 873:


    Joanna offered a meek nod, but only she knew that the guilt gnawed at her even more.


    Gil arrived, briefly chatting with Sean before leaving. Thankfully, Susanna hadn’t severed an artery, allowing for intervention. Post-surgery, she was in the ICU.


    In such a short time, she had been in the ICU twice. Those who knew about it all felt a deep sense of sympathy for her.


    Illness was cruel not only because it led to death but because of the despair it brought. Yet, despite everything, there was still a slim chance for Susanna’s recovery. So why did she continue to attempt suicide? Everyone close to her knew she had been following her treatment with diligence, dreaming of the day she could travel freely again.


    Alice, busy performing with her band, had no idea about Joanna’s struggles. The sight of Joanna, so fragile and worn, took her by surprise, making her urgently ask about her well-being. When she learned the truth from Bryson, she fell into a deep silence. She couldn’t believe Joanna would take such drastic measures. The incident had cast a long shadow over her, one that threatened to trouble her for a long time.


    Taking Joanna’s hand firmly, Alice said, “I want to talk to you, Joanna.” She believed she could help Joanna ovee her mental struggles.


    Nancy had tried several times to approach Joanna but was always stopped by Bryson. If the Scotts hadn’t been around, he might have openly scolded her. Despite their obvious dislike for each other, Nancy kept pushing forward, making unwee advances. Was she incapable of reading the room, or was she just foolish? Alice had never liked Nancy, much like her feelings toward Madeline. She thought of them as two sides of the same coin.


    After making sure Susanna was stable, Alice drove Joanna to the riverside in a car borrowed from Norah’s garage. Norah had left out all the keys, giving Alice the freedom to choose any car she wanted. The cold wind by the river cut through their skin, but it didn’t seem to bother the people strolling by.


    Under the dim glow of the streetlights, the area was full of life, buzzing with activity.


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    “What do you want to say to me, Alice?” Joanna asked, halting under a streemp.


    Though people passed her by, she felt an overwhelming sense of istion amidst the crowd. All the surrounding noise seemed to vanish, leaving only the distant sound of a baby crying.


    The cry pierced the air—a shrill, miserable sound that seemed to burrow into Joanna’s ears.


    “Joanna, raise your head.”


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