Before Mary could respond, the door to the hospital room opened suddenly, and Vik hurried in.


    His face lit up with joy when he saw that Edward was awake, and he rushed to the bedside. "Dad, you''re finally awake!"


    Edward patted his shoulder. "Yes, both of you have been through a lot."


    Vik shook his head. "It''s not hard. For us, the best thing is that you woke up."


    Edward had only just regained consciousness and was still far from fully recovered. After a brief conversation with them, he grew tired.


    Seeing his exhaustion, Mary urged him to rest and went to the kitchen to prepare food for him.


    Not long after, Vik followed her into the kitchen. "Mom, I need to talk to you about something."


    Mary, washing vegetables, nced over. "What is it?"


    "I might have to leave for a while," Vik said quietly.


    Mary froze for a moment, then turned to him, her confusion clear. "Why? Your father just woke up, and now that no one will bother us. Why would you leave at this moment?"


    Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Vik hesitated before finally admitting that he had been involved in causing Brian''s car ident.


    Mary stared at him in disbelief. "You did what? Are you out of your mind? If Emerald finds out, she will definitely kill you!"


    "Mom, keep your voice down. Don''t let Dad hear," Vik warned, his tone urgent.


    Mary took a deep breath, struggling to suppress her anger. "Why didn''t you discuss this with me beforehand?"


    Had she known that Vik was nning to harm Brian, she would have stopped him before things escted.


    Vik''s face darkened. "I talked it over with Darcy. He supported my decision, but he didn''t want me to handle it alone. He sent his people to carry out the ident.


    "Now, I''m worried that if Emerald finds out Darcy''s behind this, she''ll go after him, and he might betray me."


    Mary sighed in relief when she realized it was Darcy''s people who had executed the n. "If it were Darcy''s people, you should be safe for now. Don''t worry. Darcy won''t betray you."


    Over the years, Mary had grown very familiar with Darcy''s feelings for her and knew he had always treated Vik like his own son. Even at the post of his life, Darcy would never betray him.


    Vik shook his head. "I believe he won''t betray me, but I can''t take that chance. I


    need to leave. Once things settle down, I''lle back."


    Mary lowered her voice. "Where are you going?"


    "I''m going to Chnd."


    Mary''s face turned pale. "Are you crazy? If you go to Chnd, Emerald can find you anytime!"


    "She has a lot of problems to deal


    with right now. I won''t just sit idly by. Don''t worry. I''ll find a safe ce Once Dad takes back control of the Nixons, ll return, Vikassured her.


    Seeing the firm determination on his face, Mary knew there was no point in trying to stop him. "Fine, but you must contact me every day and let me know where you''re staying. If cant react you are day til send someone to find you."


    "Okay... But don''t tell Dad about this yet. His health isn''t great, and if he finds out,


    he''ll be furious," Vik cautioned.


    "I understand," Mary replied.


    Vik stayed with Edward in the hospital room until he woke up, spending some time with him before finally leaving.