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!

isn’t used much, it’s

A disability?!

breath hitched, clutching Evadne’s delicate hand

Evadne about her little finger before, but she had deflected the question, unwilling to answer him directly. What had happened that she avoided talking about it?

left, Lily brought clean pajamas, and then she and

Evadne into her pajamas, then brought over a basin

with a wet

feet, usually so exquisite he would never feel enough touching them, now bore scars and dried grime. The

I wanted to bring you happiness, but look at what

eyes, his breath ragged, a deep, muffled sob escaping from his throat. His phone vibrated, a call

to the

Abernathy is fine, just worried sick about Ms. Ashbourne. He only went to bed late because of her. Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy, have you found Ms. Ashbourne? Mr. Hamilton Abernathy was

been found. Tell Grandpa when he wakes up not to worry. I’ll stay with

not sure how long ‘always‘ would

Thaddeus Abernathy,

If I had told you sooner about Ms. Ashbourne’s

fault. Today’s tragedy is all by

silent, and then suddenly remembered

day, he was on a business

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

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

Ms. Ashbourne tried to reach you

then, your place at the firm was shaky;

if struck by lightning, his shoulders shaking! It all

at the Abernathy Group’s regional office when Acacia

to a meeting and turned Acacia down, which set her off. She threw one of her classic fits and dunked his phone

before Thaddeus‘ eyes. “Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy? Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy? You’ve

concern.

against the window sill, felt his towering frame begin to crumble inch by

on the

The next day.

broke, Thaddeus felt the weight on his heart lift ever

saw the man she loved right before her, she dove into his arms, the two hearts beating in unison as they clung to

this isn’t a

up with her tear–swollen face, pinching Thaddeus‘ gaunt cheeks until they turned red. Most people

twinge of pain, his eyes brimming with bliss as he fondly stroked her hair, “It’s no dream, Evadne.

thank goodness, thank

buried herself in his embrace once more, her strong facade crumbling as she sobbed aloud. She pinched hard,

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

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

got a mistress? Been letting your heart wander while

green, “Evadne.”

“Just kidding.”

how thin he had become, “You’ve lost

the night before still marked Thaddeus‘ face, his fingers intertwined tightly with hers, yet he remained

of it and instead

and for the rest of his life, he would repay her in kind, even if it shattered him to

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