The next morning.


    Thaddeus jolted awake, heart pounding, his skin mmy with cold sweat. For a few moments, hey motionless, disoriented and breathless, unable to shake the sense of dread that clung to him.


    He pushed his well-built frame out from under the covers, reached for his phone on the nightstand, and squinted at the screen.


    Over twenty missed calls-all from his grandfather.


    Ever since being discharged from the hospital, Thaddeus had suffered from persistent headaches every night, likely some lingering aftereffect. For three or four days now, he hadn''t managed a single full night''s sleep.


    Last night, finally at his limit, he''d given in and taken a sleeping pill, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep until morning.


    Rubbing his aching temples, he sat up, intending to call his grandfather back. But before he could dial, Gordon''s voice came from outside the door.


    "Mr. Thaddeus, are you awake?"


    "What is it?"


    "Mr. Hamilton has arrived, sir. He''d like to speak with you downstairs."


    After a quick shower, Thaddeus dressed in a crisp ck suit and, on his way to the living room, tried calling Chasel. Thest time they''d seen each other, Dr. Bright had pped him across the face and they''d parted on terrible terms. But whether it was his emotional numbness or simply his priorities, Thaddeus didn''t care about such things. All he wanted was for his body to recover, so his work wouldn''t be affected.


    But after three attempts, Chasel''s phone was still off.


    Frowning, Thaddeus slid his phone back into his pocket.


    In the living room, the Abernathy men were all gathered, the air thick with tension.<fn5e96> Find the newest release on find{n}ovel</fn5e96>


    "Grandpa. Dad." He greeted them formally, then turned his steady, dark gaze to Hamilton. “Grandpa, you wanted to see me?"


    His grandfather''s worry was written all over his face. "Thaddeus, na''s been hurt!"


    Thaddeus''s expression didn''t change. "Ms. Evadne—what happened to her?" "She was in a car ident. You need toe with me to the hospital-right now! We have to see how na''s doing!" Hamilton looked like he hadn''t slept at all, dark circles bruising his eyes, his voice trembling with anxiety.


    Ine


    Gordon''s face went stark white. Mrs. Abernathy was practically a legend behind the wheel; if she''d crashed it must''ve been because she was distracted, probably from worrying about Mr. Thaddeus. Ever since he''d lefther life everything about Mrs Abernathy seemed to fall apart.  s


    "Was it serious?" Thaddeus''s deep-set eyes flickered, the emotion gone as quickly as it appeared.


    "I''ve already called Chairman Emeric. na''s out of surgery-she''s awake now. But I heard her car flippedpletely over! She''s so slight-how could she possibly handle that? Thaddeus,e with me now!"


    "She has several brothers and her family with her. She doesn''t need me," Thaddeus replied, voice low as he dropped his gaze. “Besides, given my current


    status, it wouldn''t be appropriate for me to visit."


    Gordon''s face went even paler, his heart sinking.


    "Thaddeus! What are you saying? That''s na! The woman you spoiled, the one you begged toe back to you, sobbing in front of me-you''re just going to abandon her now? How can you be so


    heartless can''t be baba of ne


    it


    Hamilton''s hands shook with anger, his cane thudding hard against the floor. "What''s wrong with your head? Have you lost all sense of decency? After everything na''s done for you, you won''t even go see her? Are you even human?"  s


    A muscle in Thaddeus''s jaw tightened. His eyes were distant, cold. “Grandpa, we''ve broken up. If I keep hanging on, unable to let go, it''ll only make things harder for her."


    Hamilton was about to retort, but Frederic spoke, his voice icy.


    "Dad, Thaddeus and Ms. Evadne are over. I don''t see what''s so terrible about that."


    Hamilton wheeled on him, furious. "You-!"


    "Before, they were in love, they stuck by each other, so I had nothing to say. But now Thaddeus doesn''t love her anymore. Why force him? You can''t squeeze water from a stone." Frederic took a steadying breath his gaze unwavering. “Honestly, I''m not even sure Ms. Evadne ever truly loved Thaddeus. Maybe she did-but I think she''s always cared more about herself. If you really love someone, would you keep pushing them into danger? Would you let them risk themselves over and over again?”


    s


    "When she acts recklessly, does she ever think about Thaddeus''s family? What would we do if something happened to him? Has she even considered it, just once?"


    "You—ah!" Hamilton pressed a trembling hand to his face, his voice catching in his throat.