The unwavering determination in the man''s eyes instantly pulled the three of them back to the past—to the time when Thaddeus loved Evadne more than anything in the world. Even though his gaze was still as freezing as an arctic cier, all his emotions seemingly locked away in a dark abyss, the fact that he was taking the initiative to visit her and stay by her side was a massive step in the right direction!


    "Alright. I''ll leave her in your care, then." Suppressing his excitement, Cassius personally opened the door to the hospital room for him.


    Thaddeus''s gaze was heavy. "Cassius,e in with me for a moment. I need to speak with you."


    The two men stepped into the room and closed the door behind them.


    "What is it? Is something wrong?" Cassius asked urgently.


    Thaddeus met his eyes, his voice solemn. "Hans just reached out to me on his own."


    Cassius''s eyes widened in shock. "He reached out?! What does he want?!"


    Thaddeus ryed the message calmly, though a tempest raged in his striking eyes. "Hans has seen Chad''s true colors. He refuses to work for a monster any longer. He wants to coordinate with us from the inside to rescue Elsie and destroy Chad''sb in the mountains."


    "Really? He''s actually willing to side with us?!" The dark cloud that had been hanging over Cassius instantly vanished. His eyes welled with tears as he gripped Thaddeus''s broad shoulders. "Did he... did his memorye back? Does he remember he''s Hubery? That he''s Evadne''s brother? That he''s part of the Ashbourne family?!"


    Thaddeus paused. Though he felt a flicker of joy, he wasn''t one to show it. He maintained his stoic expression. "I can''t be sure about that yet. But whether he''s Hubery or Hans, as long as he''s realized the truth and is willing to work with us, his identity doesn''t matter as much."


    Cassius''s eyshes fluttered, tears of relief shining in his eyes. Thaddeus wasn''t an Ashbourne; he couldn''t possibly understand how monumentally important it was for Hubery to find his true self again.


    "What about Elsie? Is she okay?" Cassius asked, worry creeping back in.


    Thaddeus lowered his gaze. "She''s alive, but she''s been used as a test subject for countless experimental drugs. Her condition is critical. Hans knows they can''t wait any longer, so he''s nning to smuggle her out tomorrow night. Once she''s clear, Aaron will lead a SWAT raid on theb. Elvis and I will be there to intercept Hans and ensure Elsie''s safety."


    "Have you told Elvis and Aaron about the n?"


    "Not yet. Elvis is too impulsive. If we tell him now, he''ll jeopardize everything."


    Cassius nodded seriously. "You''re right. Wait until Hans has everything prepared before you say a word to Elvis."


    With the n established, Cassius quietly exited the room, leaving Thaddeus alone with Evadne.


    On the pristine white hospital bed, Evadne''s face waspletely drained of color. Her long eyshes cast heartbreaking shadows on her cheeks, and her normally full, vibrant lips were as pale and dry as withered rose petals.


    Thaddeus stood by the bed, staring down at her for a long time. A powerful current seemed to surge through his chest, bringing with it à wave of tremors. The heavy, sorrowful emotions morphed into an undeniable ache that spread silently through his entire body.


    He pressed hisrge hand against his chest, pushing hard, and then harder. It felt


    as though he were trying to crush his own ribs, yet nothing could stop the very real pain radiating from his heart.


    He exhaled a long breath and sat on the edge of the bed. The dark turmoil in his eyes became more pronounced. Swallowing hard, he raised a stiff hand and clumsily, gently stroked Evadne''s wless cheek.


    The moment his skin touched hers,


    his heart gave a violent,


    uncontroble jolt. His slightly calloused fingertips traced the line of her eyebrows, the bridge of Ker nose, the corner of her lips. The motion was so painfully cautious, so reluctant to pull away so incredibly


    tender. These ings and


    memories were etched into his very marrow.


    So, the old Thaddeus truly loved Evadne this much, didn''t he? Even a simple touch


    felt like a blessing from heaven. Even if his physical body turned to dust, his soul would always remember her.


    "Evadne..." he murmured, his voice incredibly hoarse, like a child just learning to speak.


    Evadne... Evadne... My Evadne...


    His breathing grew heavier as countless chaotic memories flooded his mind, slipping past his control. His forehead burned, and the blood in his veins seemed to


    rush straight to his chest, surging and crashing like a tempest.


    His thumb lingered on her lips, brushing softly against them.


    In that split second, the taut string of cold rationality in his mind snapped.


    His mind went entirely nk. His heart mmed against his ribs, sending a painful, tingling sensation through him. He could no longer suppress is emotions. The burning. desire was like a raging fire, O incinerating his insides, bringing the blood in his veins to a boiling point.


    He closed his eyes, leaned down, and captured her pale, cold lips in a kiss.


    Instantly, all his restraint, his discipline, his logic... crumbled entirely beneath the weight of that stolen kiss.


    Their lips pressed firmly together. It wasn''t a deep kiss, yet it held more lingering intimacy and passion than the most fervent embrace.


    That was enough. He had to stop.


    As if releasing the crushing weight he''d been carrying in his heart, the man let out a


    long breath and prepared to pull away.


    But just then, the woman beneath him slowly fluttered her eyes open.


    Thaddeus''s pupils contracted. Their gazes locked, deeply intertwined.


    In the next second, Evadne lifted her slender arms, wrapping them tightly around his


    neck. Arching her back slightly, she pulled him down, turning that gentle, fleeting touch into a profound, desperate kiss.