Before she could utter a single word, his icy glare silenced her.

"You had better pray Adele is okay!" he cautioned.

Upstairs, Adele sat in stunned silence on the bed. Gauze was wrapped around her forehead, and her arm bore the mark of red ointment. Her eyes remained swollen and bloodshot from her earlier tears.

The doctor delivered his instructions to Holden in a hushed tone when he arrived, saying, "It's nothing grave; just keep the wounds dry."

Holden nodded, a pang of anguish piercing his heart at the sight of Adele's condition. He moved with great care to the bed and settled down beside her.