I gently patted Mom''s hand, giving her a reassuring look before turning to leave ward.


    the


    In the hallway, Lucas stood leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets


    and his head lowered. His expression was unreadable.


    I stopped in front of him. "Why are you back?"


    He lifted his gaze. "I saw the news... about your mother."


    My heart clenched. So, it was because of that.


    The reports, exaggerated and twisted, painted Mom as a malicious woman while amplifying Grandma''s teary usations.


    "They''re all lies," I said calmly.


    Lucas was silent for a moment before replying in a low voice, "I know."


    He knew? What exactly did he know? Did he know the reports were false, or did


    he know who was pulling the strings behind all this?


    "Serena..." He started as if struggling with something unsaid.


    But in the end, he only shook his head. "You look exhausted. Get some rest. We can talkter."


    Then, he suggested, "Let''s get something to eat. I haven''t had a meal since I got off the ne."


    I nodded, and we went to a small restaurant near the hospital. After ordering a few dishes, I finally couldn''t hold back. "Why were you so eager to find me?"


    Lucas sighed, putting on a concerned act. "I thought you didn''t know about the news regarding Madam Burke, so I rushed over..."


    I smiled and shook my head. "No matter what, she''s my mother. How could I not know?"


    Seeing my reaction, he immediately switched to an earnest expression. "Do you need my help? Don''t hesitate to ask me. After all—"


    I cut him off, shaking my head. "Alex and I are already handling it. You don''t need to worry."


    "Alex?" His tone changed instantly as if he had just swallowed something disgusting. "Him again? You''re still in contact with him?"


    I sneered internally. There it was again.


    That sour expression was a clear sign he was scheming something.


    I put down my cutlery, locked eyes with him, and said slowly and deliberately; "Lucas, let me warn you-if you dare pull any tricks while my mother is sick, I''ll make you regret ever being born. If you so much as touch a hair on her head, I''ll destroy you."


    His face flickered with emotion, his eyes shifting uneasily before he forced a smile. "Serena, what are you saying? I''m only worried about you and Madam Burke..."


    I had no patience for his nonsense. I barely touched my food before getting up, wanting to head back to the hospital.


    There was no time to waste on this obsessive lunatic. Taking care of my mother was my priority.


    But Lucas was like a stubborn piece of gum, impossible to shake off. He kept following me closely. I felt irritated but had no choice.


    As we reached the hospital entrance, a suddenmotion broke out. Someone


    shouted, "Someone''s on the roof, nning a suicide!"


    At first, I didn''t pay much attention


    Incidents like this weren''t


    umon at hospitals. But


    then


    Lucas grabbed my arm. He said


    nothing and just stood there, frozen.


    I was about to snap at him when I followed his gaze to the rooftop.


    A lone, slender figure stood at the edge-Mom.


    It felt like an invisible hand was mped around my heart at that moment, squeezing the air from my lungs.


    I had no time to think. In a blind panic, I bolted toward the building.