He must''ve sprinted all the way here, his breath slightly ragged, dark eyes locked onto Selena with an intensity that made her heart skip. His lips parted as he slowly and deliberately spoke, "Selena, they''ve found Everett!"


    Selena''s voice faltered,ing to a sudden stop. Alex was equally taken aback, his eyes wide in disbelief. She had almost given up hope...


    Selena''s heart raced, yet ine''s expression didn''t offer muchfort. She swallowed hard, unable to bring herself to ask the burning question: Was Everett found alive, or was it... his body?


    It took her a moment to find her voice again, and she asked, with a tremor, "How... how is he?"


    Alex held his breath too.


    ine moved to her side, hisrge hand resting gently on Selena''s shoulder, as if to lend her strength. Then, he spoke slowly, "Selena, it''s good news. Everett''s alive. He got lucky; a fishing boat picked him up and rushed him to the hospital. They couldn''t figure out who he was right away, which is why the family wasn''t notified immediately."


    Selena''s clenched fist rxed a bit.


    But she didn''t fully let go of her tension. She looked ine in the eye, "Is there still bad news?"


    Sometimes, ine wished Selena were a little less sharp. A touch of naivete can be a blessing.


    ine sighed, "You just got over a fever; I didn''t want to worry you. But this can''t be kept from you. Everett''s heart was already weak. With proper care, he could''ve managed, but now he''s severely injured and in aa. He might not wake up."


    Selena''s thickshes trembled uncontrobly.


    She expected the news, but hearing it still felt like a punch to the gut.


    "Where is he now?"


    ine replied, "He''s been rushed to a private hospital under Northtown Bet Corporation. Callum, his attending doctor, is there too."


    Selena nodded softly, getting out of bed as she said, "I need to see him."


    Her face was pale, her steps shaky,


    like she might copse at any moment. Alex, worried, quickly advised, "Ma''am, I''ll stay with Mr. Everett. You need to rest and recover."


    Before Selena could respond, ine interjected, "Don''t bother stopping her. She won''t rest until she sees him. Help her get dressed; I''ll wait downstairs to drive you to the hospital."


    With that, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.


    Alex headed to the closet, picking out a thick sweater and coat for Selena.


    She had to look after Mrs. Everett, ensuring that even if something happened to


    Mr. Everett, there''d be some peace of mind.


    In the hospital''s ICU, Everetty in


    the hospital bed, quietly asleep.


    you ignored the tubes, he looket


    he was just napping.


    WS


    like


    Selena leaned against the ss, trying desperately to see him clearly.


    She couldn''t quite figure out if her feelings for him were more love or resentment.


    He had hurt her over and over, yet in his own way, he loved her deeply, willing to risk his life for her.


    It made it impossible for her to truly hate him.


    That infuriating man was always so frustratingly endearing.


    Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, one by one, like a sad melody ying in the night.


    She wasn''t sure how long she''d been standing there when someone came up beside her.