Chapter 491

Thaddeus gazed at Evadne’s pallid, haggard face, his heart aching beyond words.

“I want to be with Evadne forever. But Jareth, I can’t be that selfish. Evadne’s family isn’t like mine. I would give up everything for her, but if she were to lose her family for me, do you think I could live with myself? Without the blessings and company of her family, can she truly be happy and content?”

Thaddeus shook his head in agony, his voice hoarse as he repeated, “I’ve already taken too much from her. I’ve almost ruined her. Jareth, I can’t hurt her anymore; I can’t let her lose anymore. I just can’t.”

“Is that what you think? But have you ever asked Evadne what she wants?”

Jareth, seeing the turmoil in his friend, furrowed his brows, “It’s a stormy night out there. Evadne must have suffered a lot to come and find you. Family is important, of course. But right now, Evadne cares more about you; she wants to be with you. If you force yourself to let her go for the sake of what you call happiness, then a danger greater than tonight’s might occur, and it could end in tragedy. Thaddeus, don’t come to regret it.”

Jareth’s words struck deep, piercing Thaddeus’s heart.

Thaddeus remembered Evadne mentioning their child, begging him to save their little one. Although she was delirious with fever, wasn’t that the wound she had suppressed in her heart, hidden beneath her hearty smiles, a pain so raw upon touch?

“How do you do it, Evadne?

How do you manage to smile at my detestable face every day, to be so, so kind to me?”

In front of his closest friend, Thaddeus could no longer hold back and burst into tears, slapping himself hard on the face!

“Thad! What the hell are you doing?!”

Jareth’s eyes widened in shock, hurriedly grabbing his hand, “Man up, Thad! Self–pity isn’t going to fix anything! If it did, I’d grab all the kitchen knives right now and let you stab yourself to your heart’s content!”

The doctor quickly arrived to treat Evadne.

Thaddeus sat by the bed, staring deeply at Evadne’s pale face, pressing her lukewarm hand to his burning lips, kissing it silently.

“She’s running a fever; it’s serious.”

The doctor administered a fever–reducing shot and started an IV, “Had it been any later, there could have been complications with her heart, making it more difficult to handle. However, Mr. Abernathy, I suggest you take Ms. Ashbourne to the hospital at dawn. My facilities here are limited, and I can’t provide her with the best care, only temporarily alleviate the fever. If it spikes again. tomorrow night, you must go to the hospital.”

Thaddeus’s trembling hand brushed Evadne’s sweaty forehead. It was still hot to the touch, hoping that by dawn, all would be well.

“By the way, Mr. Abernathy, did Ms. Ashbourne sustain any injuries to her hand? Has it been fractured?” The doctor suddenly asked, puzzled.

Thaddeus was taken aback, “Fractured? What do you mean?”

“Look at her left little finger; my experience tells me that it’s been fractured before, or severely torn ligaments. Even if it healed, it would probably leave some impairment.”

Thaddeus’s pupils shook, his heart pounding!

“Impossible! How could this happen?!” Jareth was utterly astonished.

“Looks like it’s an old injury, perhaps due to lack of proper care after the initial injury.”

Jareth became more perplexed, “Evadne is from the Ashbourne family, which would call an ambulance over a scratch on her hand. How could they ignore something as serious as a fracture!

the pinky isn’t used much, it’s still a disability, isn’t

A disability?!

breath hitched, clutching Evadne’s delicate

the question, unwilling

Lily brought clean pajamas, and then

into her pajamas, then brought over a basin of water and knelt down to clean

a

would never feel enough touching them, now bore scars and dried grime. The sight tore at his

happiness, but look at what I’ve

deep, muffled sob escaping from his throat.

walked to

bed late because of her. Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy, have you found Ms. Ashbourne? Mr. Hamilton Abernathy was asking before he

Tell Grandpa when he wakes up not to

how long ‘always‘

Abernathy, I’m sorry.”

I had told you sooner about

not your fault. Today’s tragedy is all by my

then suddenly remembered

remembered that day, he was on

the time difference, when the car accident happened back home, it was daytime where he was, it was

me, but I didn’t pick it up?” Thaddeus tensed up again.

to reach you

is doing just fine. You shouldn’t beat yourself up over it. Back then, your place at the firm was shaky; you were always jetting off on business trips, so busy you hardly had time

shoulders shaking! It all came rushing

Group’s regional office when Acacia Stirling barged in,

meeting and turned Acacia down, which set her off. She threw one

a chasm of darkness opened before Thaddeus‘ eyes. “Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy? Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy? You’ve gone quiet; are you all right?” Mr.

concern.

felt his towering frame begin to crumble inch by inch,

on the

The next day.

broke, Thaddeus felt the weight on his heart lift ever so slightly.

saw the man she loved right before her, she dove into his arms, the two

a dream, is it?”

until they turned red. Most people pinched themselves, but this missy pinched someone else.

as he fondly stroked her hair, “It’s no dream, Evadne. It’s me.

goodness,

strong facade crumbling as she sobbed aloud. She pinched

ear, his voice heavy with guilt, “Evadne. I’m sorry, so sorry. Once you’re well, you can hit me, punish

would I do that? Everything’s fine, isn’t it?”

a mistress? Been letting your heart wander while I was gone?”

turned green,

“Just kidding.”

thin he had become, “You’ve lost so much weight. Are you trying to make me worry

face, his fingers intertwined tightly with hers, yet he remained silent for a

not to speak of it and instead covered her

rest of his life, he would

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