<b>Chapter </b><b>590 </b>
Caitlin turned toward the door when she heard the voice.
James rushed in with long strides. The moment he saw his sister alive and standing before him, he wrapped her tightly in his arms.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”
James, usually the carefree one, sobbed like a child who had done something terribly wrong. His guilt poured out uncontrobly.
He had sworn to protect her. Yet that night, he’d failed. He’d fallen for the enemy’s diversion, left her vulnerable, and let them take her.
After the explosion in the canyon, he was convinced she’d died. His heart had been shattered.
He hadn’t known how he’d gotten through those days. But in this moment, holding her again, his soul finally felt alive.
Tears rolled down Caitlin’s cheeks as she gentlyforted him.
“Don’t me yourself. I’m okay now. We still have to find Mom. We still have so much to do. I’m not going anywhere.”
James nodded, wiping his tears. “As long as you’re okay…”
He let go of her and held her hands. When he saw the bruises on her wrists, pain stabbed through his
chest. She must have suffered so much.
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“I’m back now<i>,</i><i>” </i>Caitlin said softly. “Nothing like that will happen again. Sebastian’s settled everything with ck Wolf Fortress. They won’t bother us anymore. Don’t be sad.”
She gently soothed his emotions until he finally calmed down.
Back at the Vanderbilt estate, Caitlin saw everyone–but she didn’t see Beatrice or the children’s grandparents.
Molly sighed and no longer hid the truth.
“Caitlin… Beatrice copsed after hearing what happened to you. She’s in the hospital.”
“She’s in the hospital? Because of me?” Caitlin’s voice trembled. “How is she now?”
Molly shook her head, her expression grave.
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Clearly, things weren’t looking good. Caitlin’s heart clenched.
“We need to go see her. Right now.”
“Alright. I’ll have a car ready.”
Sebastian, just learning about this himself, immediately ordered a vehicle to take them to the hospital.
Molly joined them. When they arrived, they ran into Simon.
Seeing Caitlin, the worry in Simon’s heart eased.
“Molly said you were back–I was just about to head over to see you.”
“Thank you. Beatrice’s in the hospital, so we came straight here.”
“I’ll go with you.”
n
They walked together toward the hospital wing. Along the way, Simon exined what had been going on–and it didn’t sound promising.
1 * 1 *
Inside the hospital room, Beatricey pale and motionless in the hospital bed, an oxygen tube hooked to her nose.
Eliza and Raymond were by her side. Eliza stared at the IV drip, her heart sinking deeper with each drop.
“What do we do… There’s still no word from Caitlin? And Sebastian hasn’t called?” she asked her
husband.
“Nothing yet. We just have to wait.”
“I’m afraid she doesn’t have much time left. If she passes before Caitlin and Sebastian get back…”
Tears streamed from Eliza’s eyes. Raymond pulled her into his arms.
“Don’t cry, I know Caitlin is blessed. Sebastian will bring her back. And my mother will be okay.”
Just as they were anxiously worrying, Raymond’s phone buzzed with a new message.
He nced at the screen–and immediately lit up.
“Molly says Sebastian and Caitlin are back!”
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“They’re back? Caitlin too?”
“They found her!”
Joy and relief flooded Eliza. She sped her hands together.
“Thank God! Thank heavens!”
She rushed to Beatrice’s bedside and leaned down, whispering,
“Caitlin’s okay. She’sing. You’ll see her soon.”
Not long after, voices came from the hallway.
“Dad! Mom!”
Sebastian entered first. Eliza and the others turned, their eyes wide with joy.
“Sebastian! Caitlin!” Eliza rushed forward, pulling Caitlin into a hug. Her tears couldn’t be stopped.
“Caitlin…”
“I’m okay. I’m back.”
Caitlin hugged her tight. The two women clung to each other, their embrace filled with emotion.
When they finally pulled apart, Eliza wiped her eyes.
“Thank God. You’re home. We were so worried.”
“You don’t have to worry anymore<i>,</i><i>” </i>Caitlin said softly, brushing Eliza’s tears away. She looked toward
the bed. “Let me check on Beatrice.”
She walked over and examined the old woman’s condition.
“She’s been unconscious since she copsed?”
“Yes,” Eliza nodded. “The <i>doctor </i>said it was extreme emotional distress. Her age didn’t help…”
She didn’t mention that the hospital had already issued a critical condition notice. Everyone feared she wouldn’t hold on much longer.
“Grandma… Grandma, it’s me/Caitlin. I’m back.”
Sebastian leaned down, calling softly into her ear.
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Caitlin took her hand and rubbed it gently.
“Beatrice, I’m here. I’m okay now. I’m sorry I made you worry…”
But Beatrice didn’t stir. She looked like she was just sleeping, still and silent.
“I want to try what I used to treat Molly. Maybe it’ll help wake her up.”
“Yes, yes, go ahead. Try anything.” Eliza said quickly.
With everyone’s agreement, Caitlin unpacked the gold needles she’d brought, disinfected them, and began cing them at key acupoints.
Her hands moved steadily. After a few minutes of focused work, she withdrew the needles and gently massaged the old woman’s pressure points.
Then–finally–Beatrice stirred.
“She’s waking up! Grandma’s waking up!” Molly shouted.
Eliza saw one of the old woman’s eyes flutter open and gasped in delight.
“She’s really awake!”
With a faint sigh, Beatrice opened her eyes fully, her vision gradually clearing.
“Grandma!”
“Grandma…”
“Mom!”
Their voices called her back to consciousness.
As soon as Beatrice was fully awake, her first words were,
“Where’s Caitlin? Has shee back?”
The love in her voice was clear. Caitlin’s disappearance had nearly broken her. Now, waking from near- death, she only cared about one thing.
“I’m here<b>. </b>I’m right here.”
Caitlin stepped forward so the old woman could see her clearly.
Beatrice looked up at her face. Slowly, a frail hand reached out.
“Good. You’re home. That’s all that matters.”
Caitlin held her hand tightly.
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“You need to get better now.”
“Yes, Grandma. Caitlin’s home safe. Everything’s alright. You have to get better,” Sebastian added.
But the old woman seemed to know how fragile her condition truly was. There was a faint sorrow in her eyes as she looked toward Eliza and Raymond.
“Raymond… Jasper… Have they alle? I have something I need to say…”
The room fell silent.
Everyone could feel it–the heaviness in the air. It was the kind of silence that came before a final farewell.