The mere thought of Vespera seemed to lift the weight off his shoulders.
Though he still carried a lingering guilt for not being able to bring her back himself
the night before, he foundfort in knowing she had been safe all along, and
that Calvert had ensured everyone made it home.
"Dominic... Dominic..."
A faint, trembling voice called out from the hospital bed.
It was Fawn.
She had been rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but after receiving
emergency care, her life was no longer in danger.
Yet, throughout the night, she had been gued by unrelenting seizures and
nightmarish visions, twisting and turning in a feverish daze.
Dominic and Samuel had remained by her side all night, not once closing their
eyes.
The doctors exined that Fawn''s condition had been caused by extreme shock.
When she fell into the lotus pond, her gown had soaked up the water, bing
heavier with each passing moment.
The underwater roots and stems had entangled around her limbs, forcing her into
a desperate struggle.
Her body now bore countless scratches and bruises.
When Dominic first heard the words "lotus pond", his heart sank. He braced
himself for the worst.
But despite the terror Fawn had experienced, her will to survive had proven
stronger.
Samuel was utterly heartbroken.
Fawn had never so much as scraped her skin before-and now, after attending a
party full ofughter and celebration, she found herself in this condition.
Samuel was drowning in grief, his eyes red and puffy. Fury burned inside him as
he vowed to tear Emily apart and wipe her entire family off the map of Halewick.
Exhausted, Dominic stepped in.
"Enough with the mob boss routine. And no more crying," he said.
It wasn''t until around 5:00 am that Fawn finally settled.
As she began to stir awake, she called out Dominic''s name.
Samuel felt a pang of hurt. He leaned in closer and murmured, "I''m here, you
know."
"...Move. I need to talk to Dominic."
Fawn gently pushed him aside.
Samuel''s face fell.
Why did she have something to say to Dominic, but nothing at all for him?
Dominic gave Samuel an exasperated nce before stepping forward and asking
softly, "Mom, what is it you wanted to say?"
"Dominic, I only managed to escape yesterday thanks to a kind and beautiful
young woman. If it hadn''t been for her... I don''t think I''d have made it back," Fawn
said, her voice shaking with fear. "When you return from your trip, can we go
together to thank her?"
"And maybe take a good look at her while you''re at it."
She didn''t say thatst part out loud, but it echoed in her mind. Something told her
Dominic would be drawn to this woman.
Dominic immediately saw through Fawn''s intentions, his expression hardening.
Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Samuel quickly jumped in, "Well, we
definitely should thank her. What''s her name? I''ll bring a gift and go thank her
today."
Fawn shot him a sharp look. "I don''t know her name. And besides, I want Dominic
to go with me, not you!"
"Dominic''s about to leave on a business trip. He hasn''t slept all night and needs to
catch his flight soon. Please, don''t stress him out," Samuel said softly, trying to
calm her down.
Despite her frailty, Fawn remained fixated on her request.
"I just want to express my gratitude-nothing more," Fawn insisted. "When
Dominic returns, I''ll invite the youngdy over for dinner."
Dominic''s voice was cold. "She''s the one who rescued you. You can show your
gratitude however you choose."
The message was clear-it had nothing to do with him, and he had no intention of
joining that dinner.
Fawn fell silent, her face clouded with disappointment.
Dominic disregarded her expression and said tly, "Take care of yourself. Stay
home and rest. Don''t entertain any visitors."
He nced at his watch. "I have to go. Riley will be here soon. Natasha and Harry
will arriveter-I''ve asked them to take turns staying with you."
"Alright," Fawn said, finally giving in. "Take care of yourself while you''re away.
Don''t worry too much."
Samuel waved him off. "Go on-get moving."
Dominic and Gerard stepped out of the hospital room.
They stopped by the lounge to wake Calvert, who was still fast asleep.
On the way back to the apartment, Dominic immediately called Vespera as soon
as he got in the car.
Leaning back with his eyes closed, he massaged his temples.
Vespera picked up quickly, her familiar voiceing through. "Hello, Mr. Reid.
What can I do for you?"
Dominic''s eyes flew open.
After a brief pause, he said, "Go to the top floor and wait for me. I''ll be there
soon."
"Okay."
Dominic didn''t hang up right away.
Vespera didn''t either. Sensing the silence on his end, she asked, "Is there
anything else, Mr. Reid?"
There was a chill in her voice...
"Vera-"
She interrupted gently, "It seems like you''re fine, Mr. Reid. I''ll hang up now."