Chapter 49


    Axel stood at a distance, observing the young woman as she walked towards a waiting taxi The


    tumultuous encounter still fresh in his mind. First, she had bumped into him, yelling in frustration, and


    then impulsively plunged her hand into the trash to retrieve a seemingly worthless ornament, resulting


    in an injury. He found himself strangely affected by her actions, going so far as to dig through the trash


    to retrieve her seemingly insignificant ne.


    Even after that he was still restless and had returned this time, with bandages in hand, he had even


    prevented her from almost falling, the clutched bandages still a visible reminder of the encounter, which


    he nced down at with irritation.


    He scrutinized her small, defeated figure, resembling a wet and bullied puppy.


    Ufortable, Axel adjusted his sses, then ripped them off in a moment of annoyance. With a sigh


    that mirrored his irritation, he turned away from the vulnerable yet doe–eyed woman who had exposed


    herself to harm. Clumsy women weren’t his usual preference, and he was unsure why he felt


    as he walked by


    She’s a grown woman; she’ll take care of herself Axel mused to himself.


    With a determined stride, he made his way back to the bustling hall where Ethan lingered. The


    exhibition continued into the night, yet Axel’s thoughts lingered on the woman who had rummaged


    through the garbage.


    In his contemtion. Axel pondered the significance of that seemingly cheap and damaged ornament


    to her. What hidden story did thoserge eyes, drawing him in with their intrigue, hold? Despite his


    resistance to being swayed by such encounters, Axel found himself genuinely intrigued by the


    mysterious woman. Axel couldn’t shake the image of her, helpless and small, sitting on the floor in that


    vulnerable manner.


    “You’ve been out of it, absent–minded, Ethan remarked, his brow furrowed in curiosity. Axel had driven


    Ethan and Be home after they finished at the exhibition. As Ethan. studied scrutinized Axel;his


    usually reliable assistant had made mistakes for the first time. He had disappeared from his side


    multiple times that evening, seemingly lost in thoughts. throughout the night. His attention was clearly


    divided, and he appeared preupied. Even when Ethan handed him a document, Axel took several


    minutes to register and move collect it.


    “You’re probably just exhausted. Tomorrow’s a weekend. Take the weekend off. I won’t be needing


    you,” Ethan said, a calm dismissal of Axel’s services.


    “I’m fine,” Axel countered, though there was a hint of tension in his voice.


    “You’re moving into a new apartment, right?” Ethan inquired, seeking rification.


    “Yes, Axel affirmed, a slight nod apanying his response.


    “Okay. You’ll get this weekend to get yourself together. I expect you back fully by Monday” With those


    words, Ethan made his way toward the stairs, effectively dismissing Axel Axel felt a wave of relief; the


    weekend would grant him the opportunity to settle into his new apartment and address other personal


    matters. Given the unique nature of his work, he had chosen not to live as a member of the pack,


    opting instead for a residence in a high–rise building in the heart of the city. By Monday, he hoped to


    regain his usualposure: The dpe–eyed female who had upied his thought would have left him


    mindpletely. Or


    BOLTE


    so he thought.


    Drained from a week of activities, Axel pulled into his driveway. The sound of a whimpering dog


    reached his ears, and a puppy, about three weeks old, walked by. Spotting Axel, it sat wagging its tail.


    Axel stared at the dog, wondering where it came from. He had never seen a dog like that on that street,


    and there was no one in sight either.


    Axel didn’t like dogs, haunted by a childhood memory concerning them. Ignoring the yful puppy, he


    headed inside his house. Sighing, he stopped mid–way, ncing back at the dog. It now sat still,


    looking sad, its ears dropping and its back slouched. It looked miserable, much like she did. “Hopefully,


    she doesn’t trip over her own legs,” he thought with a snicker. But now, he found himself thinking about


    her again, and it annoyed him.


    With an irritated sigh, he walked back to where the puppy sat and took it in his arms. The dog, already


    drenched in the rain, shivered, hovering closer to him for warmth. He headed inside, puppy in one arm,


    his tablet phone and car car keys in the other. Turning on the lights of his house revealed a well–


    furnished and spacious living room. The apartment was sparse; most of his things had already been


    moved to the new apartment.


    “Okay, buddy. Listen, I’ll only amodate you for tonight. Afterward, I’ll go drop you at a shelter or


    we’ll find your owners. I don’t have the time nor the energy to take care of you.” Grabbing a towel, he


    dried off the wet puppy. Taking a bowl, he put some milk in it and dropped a bowl of water alongside.


    The puppy hungrilypped at the water in excitement, raising one of its feet, then tripping right into the


    bowl, sshing water everywhere and now stuck awkwardly in it. “Oh,e on, Axel groaned. His


    floors now had wet paw prints. This was one of the reasons why he didn’t have pets; he hated being


    disorganized. Things like this would catch him unaware, and he had no space in his life for something


    like that. Holding the dog up, he cleaned the mess up and set up another bowl. This time around, he


    assisted the puppy in drinking. “You’re helpless too, just like that woman,’ he thought spitefully.


    Annoyed, his thoughts once more drifted to her as he turned on the TV to focus on other things. Then


    afterward, he hit the showers.


    Coming back, he found the dog carefully wrapped on his sofa. Picking it up gently, he ced it back on


    the nket he had set up. Then, dimming the lights, he headed to his bedroom.


    Axel woke upter in the middle of the night, disoriented from cries. He got up groggily to check what


    the noise was. The sight of the hairy puppy scratching at his bedroom door made him jump from shock.


    It took him some moments to recall that he had brought the dog in himself the previous night. Bending


    to the level of the dog, he scolded it. “Look, Buddy. It’s past two am in the morning. I haven’t slept all


    week, and tomorrow I’ve got moving to do. Can you not cry this night?he pleaded desperately, needing


    sleep. “Please you can cry tomorrow, at your shelter or when we find your family,” he bargained with


    the puppy.


    But the puppy continued whimpering, its baby yelling getting louder. Axel groaned out loud. Picking the


    dog up, it snuggled close and finally stopped crying. Sighing, Axel returned back to the living room with


    the dog in his arms; he couldn’t trust the dog anywhere around his bedroom. Settling on the couch, he


    drifted off to sleep with the dog cradled in his arms.


    And so, a man obsessed with his well detalled and nned life with a strange dislike for animals, dogs


    especially took one in because it reminded him of a certain person. Although Asel would rather eat


    rocks than adimir it. Teehee


    Ethan retired to bed that night with a sense of satisfaction and contenument. The sessful


    persuasion of Dr. Gomez to visit the hospital and assess Daisy’s case had provided him with a feeling


    of aplishment that had been absent for quite some time.


    “You seemed quite pleased tonight.” Be observed as she sat at the vanity, removing her makeup.


    Ethan was settled on the bed, phone in hand.


    “Did something good happen?” Be quizzed, intrigued by Ethan’s demeanor.


    “I noticed you werent at the exhibition. Right from when it started to almost the end of it. then wee


    back home, and you’re looking all pleased, she remarked, studying his reflection in the mirror.


    “It’s business,” Ethan replied with fluid nonchnce.


    “Business, Be repeated, her eyebrows cocked. The eagerness and hopefulness emanating from


    Ethan intrigued her. She couldn’t help but wonder about the nature of the business that had him so


    eager and anticipatory. Be continued to observe her husband’s expression through the mirror, a


    silent inquiry in her gaze


    Ethan, sensing her scrutiny, felt bouts of relief. He had harbored doubts about the Doctor. but after their


    meeting, he felt a renewed hope concerning Daisy’s case.


    “So some business deal could have you this hopeful and excited, Be stated, seeking rification.


    “You seem pleased with your purchase. Ethan said, deftly redirecting the conversation. He gestured


    toward the exquisite paintings and vase Be had acquired during the exhibition. She scoffed at his


    words. They’re just randoms The true value, to her,y not in the art itself but in showcasing her


    husband and her wealth. Tonight, she had aplished that goal, which reflected in her pleased


    demeanor.


    Just then, Be’s phone beeped. As she reached for it, her excitement turned to horror проп reading


    the message.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    *Hello sister. Did you miss me?” The words sent a shiver down her spine, and she nearly dropped her


    phone in fright. Disbelief and anger mingled as she considered the possibility of a malicious prank.


    There was no way it could be him; he had died over five years ago.


    Checking the number, the familiar digits confirmed the sender’s identity, sending tremors through her


    entire being.