?Chapter 1178:


    The words had barely left his lips before his strength faded and he slipped back into the void.


    Tears came crashing down Yvonne’s cheeks. She clutched his hand tightly, her voice trembling as she whispered, “I believe you…” Her sobs came freely now, washing away thest shadows of doubt that had clouded her heart.


    She understood in that moment—Norton had always loved her, deeply and truly.


    Meanwhile, Ethan was stillbing through the snowy mountain, calling Yvonne’s name through the wind. Before he could reach her, news came through: Norton had already found her.


    By the time Ethan led the rescue team out of the mountain, he arrived just in time to witness the couple’s emotional reunion. He stood at a distance, silent, the weight of unspoken words settling like snow in his chest. When the ambnce finally pulled in, he stepped forward to help the paramedics lift Norton onto the stretcher.


    He took a step back and exhaled, long and slow, as if releasing something that had weighed on him for far too long.


    Yvonne, who immediately climbed into the ambnce after Norton, didn’t look at anyone else. Her entire world was narrowed to the man on that stretcher.


    At the hospital, chaos picked up pace. Norton was rushed into emergency care, while Yvonne, bruised and bleeding, was guided aside to have her wounds tended to.


    Leif arrived shortly after and arranged for them to share a recovery room. Yvonne’s injuries were minor—scrapes and bruises—but her mind wasn’t on them.


    As soon as her results came back, she rushed to the emergency room doors, where the red “In Operation” light blinked like a silent metronome, counting down her hope.


    Each flicker of that red light tightened her chest.


    “Mrs. Burke,” Leif said gently, “you should rest. You’re injured too.”


    Yvonne shook her head. “I have to be here. I need to be with him.”


    Leif sighed quietly, recognizing the stubborn glint in her eyes. There was no use arguing.


    Discover your escape on g  aln ov el s


    Hours passed. Finally, the doors opened, and Norton was wheeled out—pale but breathing, his body stabilized.


    Yvonne rushed to him, her eyes lighting with relief, only to see that he was still unconscious.


    She stumbled forward, catching the arm of a nurse. “When will he wake up?”


    “Not certain yet. He’s suffered serious injuries,” the nurse exined. “He needs rest. What he needs now most is time and care from his family.”


    Yvonne nodded, barely breathing, and followed them into the hospital room. The scent of antiseptic hung in the air, sharp and sterile. Golden sunlight filtered through the window, falling softly across Norton’s face.


    Though he still looked pale, and his lips were dry, his breathing had evened out. That, at least, was something.


    Yvonne sank into the chair beside him, her hands trembling as she reached for his. Her eyes, rimmed red from crying, never left his face.


    “Norton…” she whispered, voice thick with emotion, “you have toe back to me.”


    .


    .


    .