"What exactly happened?" she asked, her voice trembling, feeling her legs go weak.

"You should ask for the details yourself. I asked Aunt Joselyn, and she doesn't want to visit him, so let's just see how things turn out," Miranda shrugged, expressing her helplessness.

Lilah hurried with Gerard to the Morris family's hospital.

Before they reached the ward, they heard Danna inside.

"Absolon, how could you be so careless? Why drink like that? Is it because of that woman? I've told you countless times, she's not worth it. Look at what you've done to yourself! How do you think this makes me feel?"

Danna's voice was choked with sobs, making it hard to breathe.

Absolon remained silent.

Then, Karol spoke through tears, "Grandma, don't blame Dad.

He's already like this. No matter what, we have to take good care of him."

Lilah heard every word clearly.

She didn't expect Karol to seize the opportunity like this.

"Why are you here?" Karol's gaze flickered as he noticed them standing outside the door, a cold glint in his eyes quickly disappearing.

Lilah entered the room first.

She saw Absolon half-reclining on the bed, his mind seemingly elsewhere, and Danna standing by his side, wiping away tears, looking deeply troubled.

Absolon appeared to have suffered a significant blow, staring blankly into space until he suddenly snapped back to reality upon hearing Lilah's voice.

"Lilah, you're here, " he managed a weak smile, sounding a bit resigned. "Sorry you have to see me like this."

"You are not welcome here, leave immediately!" Danna scolded harshly.

Absolon frowned and said, "Mom, you and Karol should step outside. I need to speak with Lilah alone."

Danna's eyes widened in disbelief, but ultimately, she couldn't go against her injured son's wishes and left the room with Karol.

"Dad, what exactly happened?" Lilah noticed that Absolon's left leg was heavily bandaged and elevated, looking painful.

Absolon could no longer maintain his smile. His expression turned distant, as if recalling unbearable memories.

It was almost laughable, a man in his late forties dealing with heartbreak like a teenager.

Yet no one knew how he had endured all these years, the painful memories like poisonous thorns piercing the deepest corners of his heart.

During the day, he could act like a stable, courteous adult.