Chapter 1768:


    Henrik’s attention moved to Adide, still motionless in the bed, and the concern on his face deepened visibly. “She still hasn’t woken up?” He struggled to keep the agitation from his voice. “Has the doctor seen her? What’s the exnation? Why is she still unconscious?”


    “The doctor has checked on her. Her vitals are all stable,” Gillian said.


    “If everything is stable, then why hasn’t she opened her eyes?” Henrik’s voice took on an edge of frustration. “I’m beginning to question thepetence of this medical team.”


    Christina studied him quietly, struck once again by the intensity of his concern for a child he had no apparent reason to be attached to. She had assumed it was an extension of Alban’s interest in Gillian — that the family was being amodating on his behalf. But if that were the case, why was Henrik the oneing alone? If Alban genuinely cared for Gillian, shouldn’t he be the one here, making every effort to be present?


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    She hadn’t yet arrived at an answer when a small, hoarse voice broke through the quiet.


    “Mommy…”


    All three of them turned at once.


    Adide’s eyes were open, her gaze finding Gillian immediately. “Mommy,” she said again, the word scraped raw from her dry throat, each syble an effort — but she kept going, reaching through it, unwilling to stop.


    “Adide!” Gillian crossed the room in an instant, tears already falling. “You’re awake — my darling, you’re finally awake.”


    Adide struggled to lift her small hand, her throat still rough and dry, but her focus was entirely on Gillian. “Mommy, please don’t cry.”


    Gillian took her hand quickly and bent down, pressing her cheek gently against it. “Mommy isn’t crying, sweetheart.”


    Then a sound broke across the room — sudden and raw — swallowing everything else whole.


    It came from Henrik. Tears were streaming freely down his face, hisposure entirely undone.


    Everyone in the room turned toward him, caught off guard. His reaction was far more pronounced than anything either Gillian or Adide had shown, and no one quite knew what to make of it.


    Christina spoke carefully, her tone gentle. “Are you alright, Mr. Martel?”


    “I’m fine,” Henrik managed, pressing a hand to his eyes. “I’m simply… deeply moved.”


    Christina watched him. The response still felt disproportionate, and she couldn’t settle the unease it stirred in her. Was it truly Alban’s attachment to Gillian that made Henrik care so much about this child? Or was there something else beneath it — something he hadn’t said?


    “Please don’t cry,” Adide said softly, her voice small but sincere.


    Her words only made Henrik’s tears fall harder.


    Adide drew back slightly and looked up at Gillian with wide, puzzled eyes — clear and guileless, full of quiet confusion. Had she said something wrong? Why had trying tofort him made things worse?


    Catching her bewildered expression, Henrik hurriedly wiped his face and said, his voice still thick, “Don’t worry, little one. These aren’t sad tears. They’re happy ones.”


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