Mitchel continued to leaf through his financial magazine, unresponsive.

Luis continued, trying to engage him, "Look at you. Either work or bury yourself in these financial updates. How do you expect to recover without any downtime?"

Seeing no reaction from Mitchel, Luis reached over and snatched the magazine from his hands. “The company's been running fine under Hector's watch. He's just holding the fort until you're ready to take back the reins Mitchel scowled slightly, but Luis was undeterred by his mood."

Ignoring the frown, he pressed on, “If you're so eager to get back to it, then focus on getting better. That way, you'll give Hector and me a break. You wouldn't believe how often he checks in about your progress."

"I'm fine," Mitchel stated flatly.

“Fine? Luis retorted, visibly annoyed, "You call lying in a hospital bed 'fine'?"

Seeing Mitchel's stubborn resistance to his advice, Luis grew frustrated. “And you're not even doing your leg rehab exercises. Are you planning to stay bedridden forever?"

Mitchel had been struggling with the rehabilitation following a new joint replacement in his leg. He was still unable to perform even basic leg lifts.

It wasn't for lack of ability. Luis knew Mitchel's determination.

When Mitchel truly set his mind to something, he could overcome any obstacle. It was just that Mitchel seemed to have lost his zest for life, as if he was purposefully neglecting his own health.

As a longtime friend, Luis knew Mitchel well enough to notice this change. This shift had started the day Mitchel woke up from surgery and didn't find Raegan by his side.

Though Mitchel hadn't spoken about it, some truths were self-evident.

They were adults and knew each other too well. Raegan's departure on the day of Mitchel's surgery spoke volumes. It was a clear signal that she had decided to let go of their relationship.

With his mobility restricted, Mitchel was confined to the hospital, growing increasingly withdrawn and despondent. He showed no interest in anything, mechanically going through his routines, his only engagement being his work.

This ongoing scenario was frustrating for Luis, who found himself at a loss for comforting words. No matter what he said, it seemed Mitchel barely heard him, continuing on in his own isolated world.

Mitchel even resisted participating in basic rehabilitative treatments.

In this case, how long would this go on before he could leave that bed?

If Mitchel didn't start his rehabilitation soon, he might lose his ability to ever walk again. As his best friend, Luis felt compelled to intervene. He couldn't just stand by and watch Mitchel potentially resign himself to a life in a wheelchair.

While sitting next to the bed, peeling an apple, Luis attempted to lighten the mood with some local gossip. "The Maxwells sure hold grudges. They even retrieved Katie's ashes that Katie's stepmother had thrown away, brought them back to Aurora, and had a witch perform a ritual. It's said to be a curse that condemns the soul to eternal suffering in hellfire, ensuring it never finds peace."

If the chilling legends of Aurora were indeed true, then Katie's spirit found no peace even in death. She deserved that fate, though.