Chapter 528:
Now it made sense why Lucilla had spoken about taking Rylie away to safety — her own home had been a cage, her marriage a trap she could never escape. Deandre’s expression softened as the truth sank in. “She probably sees our sister as the daughter she lost. It’s heartbreaking.”
Lucilla pressed another carton of milk into Rylie’s hands. When Rylie glanced down, she noticed it wasn’t the cheap kind — it was fresh whole milk, the most expensive brand.
She remembered scanning the breakfast menu that morning in the manor’s dining hall. They didn’t stock this brand. It was the kind you had to buy from a supermarket.
A faint unease stirred in her chest, like there was a piece of the puzzle she hadn’t yet uncovered.
“Get the hospital staff,” Rylie said firmly. “Her feet need to be treated.”
Word of Lucilla’s whereabouts spread quickly. Before long, the kitchen staff from Malvren Manor arrived in a small van to collect her.
They stepped into the hospital room with their heads low, bowing repeatedly. “We’re sorry. We were busy cleaning the kitchen and didn’t realize she’d slipped out. She’s normally calm. We can’t explain why she’s been so agitated these past two days. The moment she saw you, she became emotional.”
“It’s alright, I don’t mind.” Rylie gave Lucilla’s hand a gentle squeeze, her voice softening when she caught the woman’s lingering hesitation. “Go back for now. I’ll need a few more days to heal. Once my foot’s better, I’ll come see you. I promise.”
Lucilla’s grip eased. She allowed her coworkers to guide her toward the door, though her gaze lingered on Rylie until the very last moment. Just before disappearing into the hall, she called out one last plea. “Sweetheart… don’t die.”
Rylie’s lashes fluttered slightly before she responded with a soft, “Mm.”
Her three older brothers had their own lives to manage, each absorbed in their own pressing responsibilities. After staying close for two full days, they returned to their work. Brad, however, had been absent. No visits. No messages. It was as though he had disappeared entirely.
Lλtєѕτ чhαρτєrѕ ιn g𝓪lɳovєls.𝓬𝗼𝗺
Her curiosity about his absence lingered. She assumed he was tied up dealing with the aftermath of the bear incident on the mountain. While she waited for news, Rylie kept herself occupied by reviewing the Nexus Future project proposal her eldest brother had sent. According to the plan, a rising actress, Ainsley Gill, had been confirmed as the spokesperson for the commercial district and would headline the upcoming promotional events. Several incoming brands had already submitted their evaluation forms — stacks of dense, technical paperwork that still needed to be formally assessed. The review committee would go through each one in detail before announcing the approved list on-site.
When she finished scanning the last page, Rylie stretched, letting her arms reach above her head, and then slid out of bed. Moving to her electric wheelchair, she decided a quick spin through the park downstairs would make for a perfect break.
The VIP elevator was temporarily out of service for maintenance, forcing her to navigate through the hospital’s main corridor and take the lift in the adjacent general ward building.
When the elevator doors opened on that floor, a burst of angry voices hit her like a wave. A group of family members surrounded the nurses’ station, shouting accusations and pounding the counter with their fists. From where she sat, their words were impossible to ignore.
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