?Chapter 78:


    Toward the end, Rachel was already dropping to her knees.


    Just then, a beam of light shone over her, giving Jeffrey a clear view of what she was about to do.


    “Rachel, don’t!” he cried out. “I’m not worth it!”


    Then, as if something inside him had shifted, he began climbing down the bridge. His grip was tight and sure.


    Trey wasted no time and quickly rushed forward to catch Jeffrey in case he slipped.


    Everyone’s attention was all on Jeffrey. No one—aside from Ronald—noticed Brian already climbing up the bridge.


    It didn’t take him long to reach Jeffrey.


    Brian deliberately stayed in the shadows, taking up position behind a barrier to avoid startling Jeffrey and spooking him.


    As Jeffrey made his way down, Brian descended as well, matching his pace.


    Atst, after what felt like an eternity, Jeffrey reached the base of the bridge.


    Rachel ran over to him, relief washing over her. Jeffrey stood there, his face nk as he looked at his sister. He knew she had been running around tirelessly, looking for him.


    Doris’s words suddenly shed in his mind, unbidden.


    “You’re Rachel’s disabled brother, aren’t you? I used to envy her. She is beautiful and even managed to win Brian’s heart. I bet everyone’s jealous of her. But I’ve already gotten over it. I only feel sorry for her now. Do you know that Brian’s mother stands against you? As long as you’re around, your sister will never be able to marry into the White family. You’re a grown man now. Shouldn’t you start thinking about your sister’s happiness? It’s simple, really—if you weren’t around, she would have a much easier life. She would get her happy life ever after, too.”


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    The cruel smile on Doris’s face seemed to have etched itself into Jeffrey’s brain.


    Clutching his head, he began to struggle and cry out in anguish. “No…”


    Then he took onest look at Rachel, his eyes filled with sorrow. “You must live well, Rachel.”


    The next thing they knew, Jeffrey had turned around and leapt off the bridge.


    “Don’t!”


    Rachel’s mind went nk. Panic swallowed every thought.


    Driven purely by instinct, she lunged after Jeffrey without hesitation.


    She barely managed to grasp his wrist in time.


    Rachel grasped the railing with one hand, her other hand clenched desperately around Jeffrey’s. Her voice was raw, thick with anguish, as she cried out, “Jeffrey, hold on! I won’t let you fall! I swear, I’ll pull you up!”


    “No!” Jeffrey shook his head, tears streaking down his face. “Just let go! I’ve done nothing but drag you down. Everything—everything is my fault. You’d be better off without me.”


    Rachel grasped the railing with one hand. “NO! Don’t you get it? Without you, I’ll never be happy again. Ever! Jeffrey, please—don’t do this. Don’t leave me. Just stay with me!”


    The wind howled around them, biting into her exposed skin like a thousand tiny knives. But the real agony was inside her, a wound ripped wide open.


    Rachel met Jeffrey’s eyes, and her chest tightened. It wasn’t just the hopelessness in them that shattered her. It was the terrifying realization that her grip was slipping.


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