Karina said sadly, "I don't care if he is at peace or not. I just want him to wake up. Please, just wake up, Barlow."

In the quiet confines of the hospital room, Rosalynn sat vigilantly by Haleigh's bedside, her eyes fixed on Haleigh's pallid face. She gently draped a comforting blanket over her.

Before long, Haleigh stirred from her slumber.

"Haleigh," Rosalynn whispered, attempting to quell the sorrow that threatened to overwhelm her.

Haleigh met Rosalynn's gaze, her own eyes red from crying.

"Barlow..."

The harsh reality hung heavy in the air, a truth that none of them wanted to accept.

Unable to find words to convey her condolences, Rosalynn simply held Haleigh's trembling hand.

Haleigh's eyes turned red as tears welled up again. She closed her eyes tightly, struggling to hold back her tears.

Uncertain of how to console Haleigh, Rosalynn could only sit beside her in silent solidarity.

After a while, Haleigh croaked out a question, her voice hoarse with grief.

“Rosalynn, why were you and Barlow at that suburban building at night? Was it really a date, as the news said?"

Rosalynn was taken aback when she heard this.

Her phone had died, leaving her oblivious to the news coverage. She had no idea how the media had portrayed the tragic events that had befallen her and Barlow.

Had the news really twisted what had happened into a romantic date that was interrupted by a natural disaster?

“Barlow and I weren't on a date," Rosalynn said, feeling the need to set the record straight.

Haleigh fixed her gaze on Rosalynn and asked, "Then why were you there?"

Rosalynn paused briefly, trying to condense the complex events into a simple explanation.

"There was a woman who loved Barlow, but her love turned into hatred.

She sent someone to kidnap me and take me there. Barlow came to rescue me, but we never expected the earthquake."