Caleb Xavier leaned on his cane, his face filled with anger as he glared at Donovan. "What do you want? Are you going to hit me for her sake?" "How did our Xavier Family end up with an ungrateful son like you? All my years of raising you were for nothing. You’re driving me mad!" Chloe Preston noticed the shift in Donovan’s mood and immediately stepped forward. She took his warm hand, reminding him not to act rashly. Rosalind Rowan carefully supported Caleb Xavier. She looked up, stealing a glance in Chloe’s direction before her gaze landed on her belly. A cold glint flashed in her eyes—an undisguised killing intent. Chloe happened to meet her gaze and saw the iciness within it, sending a chill down her spine. In an instant, Rosalind was smiling again, her eyes curving into sweet, gentle crescents. She tilted her head to look at Caleb Xavier. "Grandpa, you’ll get tired if you stand for too long. You should go inside first." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel·fiɾe·net Hearing this, Caleb’s eyes softened with a smile as he kindly patted her hand. "Alright, our dear Rosalind knows how to care for me." "Unlike that ungrateful son, who only knows how to make me angry!" Rosalind’s eyes looked pure as she glanced at Donovan and said softly, "Donovan, would you like to come with me to Grandpa’s checkup?" Caleb didn’t move, his lips pursed as he waited for an answer, a flicker of hope in his eyes. Donovan Xavier’s expression remained indifferent. Without saying a word or showing a hint of hesitation, he tightened his grip on Chloe’s hand and walked into the hospital. Seeing this, Caleb gritted his teeth, seething with impotent rage. The wind blew, ruffling his white hair as he leaned on his cane, his fury uncontainable. In the hospital room, the lights were dazzling. A bouquet of jasmine sat on the table. Cecilia Miller lay on the wide hospital bed with her eyes tightly shut. Her thick, dark lashes rested on her cheeks, and her delicate, youthful face was as pale as paper, her lips completely drained of color. Adrian Rhodes kept watch by her bedside, his eyes bloodshot as he gazed at the comatose woman. He clutched her small, cold hands, unwilling to let go. The once bright and adorable girl, who was always so full of life... how did she end up ? He pursed his thin lips, his jaw tight with a fear that coiled in his heart. A gentle knock sounded at the door. "Come in," Adrian said, his voice hoarse. The door opened softly, and Donovan Xavier walked in, holding Chloe Preston’s hand. Chloe approached the bed slowly, her eyes lowered to study the unconscious young girl. "How is Cecilia doing?" she asked. Adrian replied, "Her life isn’t in danger, but she’s still in a coma." Chloe noticed the heavy, dark circles under his eyes. He looked utterly exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept in days while watching over Cecilia. "Why don’t you get some rest?" Chloe suggested. "Donovan and I can watch her." Adrian shook his head. He tightly held Cecilia’s cold hand, his eyes red, unable to tear his gaze away from her. After a long moment, he spoke in a hoarse voice. "It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have yelled at her. After the last banquet, she couldn’t stop crying and even drank secretly." "Even though I knew her health was poor, I ignored her. If only I had comforted her sooner, then maybe..." Adrian looked at the young girl on the bed, his eyes misting over as he choked up. "I was wrong. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Please wake up so I can apologize, okay?" "Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. Whatever kind of dress you want to wear, I’ll indulge you." As he spoke, a tear traced a path down his cheek and fell onto the back of his hand, spreading across his skin. Chloe stood to the side, quietly watching them, feeling a prickling in her nose as she held back tears. Donovan Xavier was silent for a few seconds before holding out the container of porridge he was carrying. "Eat something?" "I don’t want to," Adrian said. Donovan frowned slightly. "If you don’t eat, how will you keep your strength up? Don’t make her wake up only to find you’ve collapsed and need her to take care of you." Adrian pursed his lips and accepted the porridge. A short while later, bright morning sunlight streamed in from the window. A weak female voice sounded softly. A tremor went through Adrian’s heart. On the bed, the young girl’s face was deathly pale, looking extremely frail and colorless. She slowly opened her eyes, which were moist with unshed tears. She was quiet for a few seconds, as if adjusting to her surroundings, before her gaze finally settled on the man’s face. "Brother..." Cecilia managed a weak smile as she called to him. Adrian’s eyes met hers. His body trembled slightly, and his own eyes held a tearful smile as he choked out, "You’re awake... That’s good. As long as you’re awake, that’s all that matters." "Does anything hurt? Does your head ache? I’ll get the doctor." He scrambled to his feet, ready to rush out the door. "Brother, don’t go," Cecilia whispered weakly, grabbing his large hand, her eyes misty. Adrian sat back down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his, his voice impossibly gentle. "Alright, I won’t go. I’ll stay with you." Cecilia struggled to sit up. "Don’t move," Adrian said, his voice laced with panic. Cecilia insisted on sitting up. She threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly from behind. "Can you hold me? Please?" Fearing he might hurt her if he held her too tightly, Adrian embraced her gently, resting his chin in the crook of her neck and patting her slender back. A tear slid down his cheek, dampening her neck. Cecilia’s eyes flickered slightly as she asked softly, "Brother... are you crying?" In her memory, he had always been stern; she had never seen him cry. Adrian stroked her hair, his voice raspy. "It’s nothing. Just dust in my eye." "Oh," Cecilia replied. She sat obediently on the bed. Her face was pale, but her apricot eyes were bright. She looked at Chloe and tried to offer a sweet smile. "Sister-in-law." Chloe’s expression softened. She stepped forward and caressed the girl’s cheek. "You’ve finally woken up. Your brother Adrian was nearly scared to death." Hearing this, Cecilia glanced at the man, noticing he looked much more haggard than usual. She pursed her lips. "Brother, you’ve lost weight." "I’m sorry, I made you worry..." Adrian looked at her. "It’s okay. All that matters is that our Cecilia is awake." Cecilia’s lips were pale. She looked around the room and said, "Adrian Rhodes, I want to go home." Usually, he would scold her for using his full name, but now, he let her. Anything to make her happy. Adrian nodded. "Okay. Once you’re a little better, I’ll take you home." Cecilia said, "I want you to carry me home on your back." "I want to eat the noodles you make." "Okay, I’ll make them for you." Half an hour later, after chatting with Chloe for some time, the young girl fell asleep. Adrian remained by her side, keeping a steady vigil. Not wanting to disturb them, Chloe linked her arm through Donovan’s, and they quietly left the room. As they walked down the corridor, a man in a black windbreaker came quickly around a corner and bumped right into Chloe. She staggered, nearly falling, but Donovan’s quick reflexes saved her. He steadied her, asking anxiously, "Are you okay?" Chloe shook her head. "I’m fine." "Don’t you watch where you’re going?" Donovan demanded, his gaze turning cold with undisguised anger as he looked at the man. The man had well-defined, handsome features. The moment he saw Chloe clearly, his pupils contracted. Donovan’s tone remained cold. "I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?" The man froze, his throat seeming to close up. He couldn’t utter a single word. Donovan turned to his wife and murmured, "Chloe, I think he’s deaf." Chloe studied the man for a few moments, then tightened her arm around Donovan’s. "I’m really okay," she said softly. "Let’s not bother with him. Let’s just go home." The two of them walked away. The man turned, his eyes deep and unreadable as he watched their retreating figures. Night fell, and a bright moon hung high in the sky. The Xavier Residence was brightly lit. In her room, Chloe finished her bath, blew her hair dry, and sat on the bed, playing with the little ginger kitten in her arms. The next moment, she was pulled into a warm, powerful embrace as a kiss landed on her neck and shoulder. Chloe didn’t struggle. She tilted her head slightly and smiled up at the man. "What are you doing?" Donovan didn’t answer. Leaning over her from behind, his handsome face close, he wrapped his arms around her and, unable to help himself, began kissing her skin. The strap of her nightdress slipped off her right shoulder, revealing the smooth skin beneath. Chloe couldn’t take the tickling. Clutching the quilt, she tried to pull away. "Donovan, that’s too ticklish, let go..." Donovan continued kissing her. Chloe’s body tensed, and she deliberately frowned. "Donovan Xavier, if you don’t stop, I’m going to get angry. The kind of angry you can’t fix."