She couldn't pinpoint the moment she had drifted off to sleep on Gerard's shoulder. The next thing she knew, a commotion roused her from slumber.

Blinking awake, she saw a nurse and a doctor wheeling Matthew out of the operating room. Her heart leaped into her throat, fear gripping her.

Relief washed over her when she saw that Matthew's face wasn't covered by the dreaded white cloth.

He was still alive.

Jumping to her feet, Lilah asked anxiously, “How is he?"

"He's in critical condition," the doctor replied. "Excessive blood loss has led to inadequate blood supply to the brain. While his vital signs are stable, it's unlikely he'll wake up."

In a vegetative state?

The thought hammered in her mind as Lilah watched them transfer Matthew to the ward, a succession of cold tubes being inserted into his body.

From now on, his life would hinge on these machines.

The thought gnawed at her, but the reality of decency or dignity seemed irrelevant in the face of his survival.

Everything Matthew had strived for now seemed irrelevant, distant memories lost in the haze of his current state.

Lilah gazed through the window at his motionless form, a heavy sigh escaping her lips.

Gerard placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and spoke softly. "At least he's still alive."

"You clearly don't know how to comfort people," Lilah replied with a hint of helplessness.

Gerard furrowed a brow. "But you're not as gloomy as you were a moment ago."

"I can't stay sad forever," Lilah said, her tone steadying. "Even if I wallow in sorrow, it won't help him wake up. It's better to seek justice for him. Maybe then, he can find peace and wake up."

Gerard nodded in agreement.

"We have caught her."

"Where?" Lilah asked, her eyes narrowing.

"The same place."

With a determined nod, Lilah turned to leave. "I'm coming now."

“Why are you in such haste?" Gerard called after her, though he quickly followed. "I thought you might want to eat something first."

"I have no appetite."

Whenever she closed her eyes, all she could see was the crimson of Matthew's life ebbing away.