Elvis''s broad and proud back suddenly stopped, stiffened, then slumped.


    "Elvis..." Aaron looked at his destion, feeling heartache, helplessness, and even more pain.


    Among their brothers, Elvis was always the most vibrant and dazzling. Bold yet attentive, optimistic to a fault, he could make aforter out of a falling sky.


    But the man before him now, standing alone, blending with the night, radiated endless sorrow.


    He could barely see his figure anymore.


    "Is this all there is?"


    Elvis, with his back to him, murmured hoarsely, almost choking, "Me and her... is this all there is? In my life... I''ve saved countless lives, helped numerous people through tough times. And yet, when ites to my own woman, all I can do... is keep her alive? That''s all I can do?!"


    Aaron pressed his lips together, shaking his head in misery.


    It seemed like the Ashbournes were cursed from a past life. In this life, none of the brothers, including Evadne, had a smooth love life; all experienced heart- wrenching trials.


    Finally, Elvis made his way to Elsie''s room.


    This ce, The Velvet Haven, was the only spot that felt like home. The air still carried a faint fragrance, lingering around him, stirring his heart.


    Everything remained untouched.


    The books on the shelves, the clothes in the wardrobe, the cute dolls by the bed, all in ce.


    As if Elsie would return at any moment.


    Suddenly, Elvis''s eyes moistened as they fell on the neatly made bed, his heart pierced by a cruel knife, brutally stirred.


    He moved forward.


    Clumsily, slowly, like a wounded soldier on the battlefield, dragging his battered body, each step draining all his strength.


    At the foot of the bed, neatly folded,y the ck trench coat he had given Elsie..... Elvis closed his swollen eyes, knelt before the bed, and tremblingly picked it up. "Elsie... not even a mere coat you wished to take? How could your heart be so cold..."


    He clutched the trench coat tightly, his tall, imposing figure deeply curled, as if holding his beloved woman.


    For a long time.


    Aaron, unable to bear it, quietly left the room.


    Though he couldn''t see Elvis''s face, he knew, Elvis must have cried.


    Tears for love.


    No shame in that.


    *


    As usual, the morning sun rose.


    The dawn light shone on Evadne''s soft and pale face, and she, like a cozy kitten, stretchedfortably, waking from her slumber.


    "Mmm... Thaddeus..."


    Groggily, she naturally reached for the space beside her.


    Empty!


    In an instant, Evadne''s drowsiness vanished, and she sat up abruptly on the bed.


    "Thaddeus? Thaddeus?!"


    "Evadne, I''m here."


    Just likest night, Thaddeus, in his dark blue pajamas, hurried in, walked swiftly to the bed, and leaned down to envelop the flustered young woman in his arms, his lips gently brushing the top of her head, "Scared, waking up without your husband by your side, huh?"


    "Where did you go?"


    Evadne''s slender arms wrapped around his waist, her little nose sniffing his chest. Thaddeus''s eyes twinkled slightly, "Got up, went to the bathroom."


    "Hmph, liar!"


    Evadne pouted, lightly pounding him with her fists, her almond eyes feigning anger, "The bed is cold, and you smell all cold and sour, like sweat. Did you go outst night and just get back this morning? Ha... you wouldn''t happen to have someone else, would you?!"