The ambnce arrived quickly, and Eddie climbed in with them.


    His quick response had saved her. Vicki was out of danger, but her body was weak. After spending several minutes in the freezing water, the cold had seeped deep into her bones, leaving her unconscious.


    Eddie finally exhaled in relief only after the doctors confirmed Vicki was safe.


    He had been so focused on her safety that he''d jumped into the ambnce shirtless, water still dripp.g from his clothes. He didn''t care about any of it.


    A nurse brought him a set of hospital scrubs. After changing, Eddie sneezed several times in a row. nurse suggested he get some cold medicine, he refused. Seeing that Vicki was fine, Eddie left.


    He was perceptive enough to sense that Vicki didn''t want to spend more time with him than necessary. Better to leave quickly.


    Before going, he asked the nurse to contact Baron.


    the


    Evening came before Vicki slowly opened her eyes. An IV needle was still taped to the back of her hand, fluid dripping steadily into her system.


    The moment Vicki stirred, both people beside her bed immediately turned to look.


    "Vicki, you''re awake! Baron and I were so worried about you! How are you feeling?" Rachel hurried over and ced her hand on Vicki''s forehead. "Good, no fever."


    Rachel Quinn was Baron''s fiancée and a doctor.


    Baron leaned down to look at Vicki''s pale face, his expression concerned. "Where does it hurt?"


    “Baron, Rachel-" Vicki''s voice came out hoarse when she spoke. "I''m okay."


    Rachel quickly poured a ss of warm water, helped her sit up, and fed it to her.


    Baron sat on the edge of the bed, frowning. "How did you end up falling into the river?"


    Vicki replied, "I didn''t expect the ice in the middle of theke to be so thin."


    Baron said, "Looks like you''ll need to take two bodyguards with you from now on."


    "Baron, no!" Vicki immediately refused. Having people follow her around would mean no freedom at all.


    Rachel patted Baron''s shoulder. "Baron, don''t be so tense. This was an ident. Vicki''s an adult. She knows what she''s doing."


    Vicki immediately hugged Rachel''s arm. “Rachel''s the best."


    "Don''t move around." Baron gently pulled her hand down and carefully ced it t, worried she might get poked by the IV needle.


    Vicki leaned against the headboard, curiosity lighting her eyes. "Baron, what happened to the perso: tho saved me?"


    "He left."


    "Left?" Vicki''s brow furrowed. "Who was he? I need to thank him properly."


    Baron replied, “I don''t know who he was. Just someone in the park who stepped in to help."


    Baron wanted to thank the stranger, too. Vicki was his only family and the most important person in his world. He would have rewarded the man generously, but with no way to find him, he had to let it go.


    "Baron, that person knew me," Vicki said. "You should look into it." While in the water, she heard someone


    call her Ms. Shaw.


    Baron tucked the nket around her shoulders. "I''ll check it out. You rest now."


    Baron pulled the hospital''s security footage, but luck wasn''t on his side. The cameras had malfunctioned that day, leaving no trace to follow.


    Unable to find her rescuer, Vicki felt a quiet disappointment settle in her chest. A good deed done without seeking recognition-he truly was a good person.


    Everyone in Regalburg knew how much Vicki meant to Baron. He would have received a substantial reward if the stranger had stayed to meet Baron. Instead, he had simply walked away.


    Eddie felt the cold symptoms hit him the moment he got home. He picked up some medicine, took it, and slept through the night. By morning, he feltpletely refreshed.


    Standing on the top floor of his vi, Eddie gazed toward Vicki''s house in the distance. He wondered how she was doing now. Part of him wanted to check on her, but it wouldn''t be appropriate.


    Christmas was approaching, so Eddie packed up and returned to Saunders Manor.


    Aug


    Christmas Day arrived. After lunch, Bradley prepared to drive back to the Saunders family home. He had promised Beth he would be there for the family dinner..


    The thought of leaving Cameron filled him with reluctance.


    In Cameron''s bedroom, Bradley held her on hisp and said, "Cam, I''ll be back first thing tomorrow


    morning."


    AD