The demons that haunted him were but ephemeral specters! Helen knew this truth all along and kept it from Theodore, subjecting him to a tormenting charade.

“Theodore!" Her voice was a hoarse whisper, and the metallic scent of blood filled her senses. Ariana sobbed and said, "Wake up! Did you catch that? Marley harbors no blame toward you. Forever, you remain her cherished brother. Wake up already!"

But Theodore still remained silent.

Dread and hopelessness gripped Ariana's heart in a merciless vise. Yet, amidst her despair, she detected the faint rhythm of his chest rising and falling.

In her deepest desperation, she cried out for help, but silence swallowed her pleas. Only the mournful howl of the wind answered her call.

Ariana looked at Theodore and Horace, aware that time was slipping through her fingers. Holding Theodore’s hand, she choked, “Hold on, my dear."

With steely resolve, she struggled to her feet, dragging her wounded body toward the road one agonizing step at a time.

She struggled to keep her balance as she went down the road, but she never once caught a glimpse of a person or vehicle passing by.

Despite her valiant efforts, the world around her blurred into a haze.

Her strength dwindled, and she tumbled to the ground, sliding down the nearby slope Like a leaf caught in the current of fate.

Aldus paced the room anxiously, his concern for Theodore evident in the beads of sweat forming on his forehead and the worry in his wide eyes as he had called him several times, but his phone was off.

As he stroked his walking stick nervously, his butler Devin, ever observant, suggested, "Mr. Fredrick, it's time you took some rest. The torment is taking a toll on your body, not to mention the Late hours you're keeping. It's practically dawn, and you're still wide awake."

“How can I possibly sleep when Theodore isn't home yet?" Aldus snapped, his anger tinged with even deeper worry.

Devin tried to reassure him, “Young master is resourceful. We've had difficulty reaching him before, remember?"

"I know, but..." Aldus sighed deeply, unable to find the right words to express his unease.

He wasn't sure what was making him so antsy today, but he had a hunch that big things were about to happen.

He got up and paced back and forth, his uneasiness growing. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he asked, “Isn't today the day Ariana is scheduled for a labor induction?"

“It is," Devin confirmed.

Frowning, Aldus continued, “He promised me he'd take care of Ariana first and then deal with other matters. Could he have changed his mind and left?"

“No, I don't believe so. He's a sensible and responsible young man. He wouldn't abandon you, especially in your current state of health,” Devin assured.