Upon arriving at the location, Alex was disappointed to find that the police officers had not arrived."I don't see the point of these useless officers," he muttered under his breath as he got out of the car.Henry called for him to return to the car, but he ignored him and walked determinedly towards the house at the address the private investigator had given him."Mr. Thornton," a voice from behind made him halt his track as he turned to see who it belonged to. It was the private investigator."What do you think you are doing? Where are the police officers? What's taking them so long?" He inquisitively asked Alex."Those useless officers are not here, which is why I have to go in myself." His face was creased. Henry had moved to stand behind them."Do you know what you are saying? You don't know what is in there, and you still want to go in regardless.""I don't care what awaits me in there or who the hell is there... All I know is that I'm going in." Alex insisted. "What is happ

"Could she...could she..." Alex shook his head, not bringing himself to believe the thought that had overwhelmed his mind upon hearing the doctor's utterance. "Mr. Thornton, it would be better if we discussed it in my office." The doctor added. That confirmed his worst suspicions, and he felt his world crash down, believing Emily had died because of him—or so he thought."What do you mean by that?" Henry interrupted, while Alex stood in shock, convinced of the worst."I'm his best friend and confidant," Henry continued. "There is no need for him to follow you to your office to hear the news. I will be there too. Please tell us right now."The doctor glanced at Alex, as if seeking permission to break the news. Alex nodded sluggishly, convinced he already knew what the news was about.The doctor began, "Whatever she witnessed caused her severe shock, resulting in a panic attack and loss of consciousness. Given what she endured while being held captive, including physical and emotiona

Alex could not tell if the chaos in his life lately was karma for what he had done, especially to Emily and their child. He wished he could take the punishment instead of them. Seeing Emily suffer was unbearable.Even without knowing the full extent of her ordeal during the abduction, watching her struggle on the hospital bed for the past two days was gut-wrenching."Mr. Thornton..." The doctor began."She experienced severe cardiac arrhythmia due to the extreme stress of recent events. We have managed to stabilise her condition, but she remains unconscious. The trauma appears to have been overwhelming for her system. At this point, we are monitoring her closely and hoping she regains consciousness soon. Her recovery is largely dependent on her body's ability to heal itself now."The doctor's words hit Alex like a sucker punch, leaving him winded and hollow. His mind reeled, trying to process the gravity of Emily's condition."God knows what happened to her in there." He muttered afte

Alex froze just a few a few steps away from Emily's hospital room. He had just returned from home with the doctor-prescribed meal and some clothes, but what he overheard stopped him cold."Those few days... I've never been so terrified in my entire life." Emily's voice trembled from behind the door.He knew she would probably never open up to him about the horrors she had endured in captivity, no matter how much he begged her to share. Torn between respecting her privacy and his desperate need to understand what she had been through, he hesitated, deciding to listen."They starved me," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "Even though I was in agony, even knowing my condition, they only allowed me one meal a day. Like an idiot, I asked who was behind all this torture. They said it was Isabella's order." She let out a bitter laugh that barely masked her anguish. "Asking that question... God, they made me regret it."Her voice dropped to a whisper. "But the worst part, th