Chapter 170: Why Do I Always See so Much Blood?

Jane's POV

The phone suddenly rang, and seeing "Ava" flashing on the screen made my heart clench. I answered with trembling hands, my fingers still shaking.

"Hello? Ava! How are you? Why haven't you been responding to messages?" My words came out rapid-fire like a machine gun, all my questions and anxiety pouring out at once.

Ava's voice on the other end was urgent and breathless, with the chaotic sounds of the hospital in the background. "I'm at the hospital where you're staying right now! Come to the morgue quickly—Jennifer is here too. I know you must have a million questions, but I'll explain everything when we meet."

"Okay! Okay! I'll be right there!" I responded repeatedly, my hand still trembling as I hung up. I turned to look at David in the hospital bed, my eyes bright with alarm and urgency.

Without waiting for me to speak, David was already struggling to sit up, his expression determined. "Let's go. I'm coming with you."

I immediately frowned, reaching out to gently press against his injured area, my voice full of concern. "No, your injury hasn't fully healed yet. You could barely turn over earlier, and now with all the chaos, can your body handle it? Don't make it worse!"

But David smiled and ruffled my hair, his tone light yet unyielding. "I'm really much better. You've been taking such good care of me these past days—bringing water, feeding me medicine, helping me wash and change bandages without missing a beat. I'm recovering better than the doctors expected. Some movement will actually help me heal faster."

He threw off the covers, insisting on getting out of bed. "Besides, how can I let you go alone at a time like this? Don't worry, I know my limits."

Seeing the stubbornness in his eyes, I knew I couldn't dissuade him. I nodded heavily and quickly helped him put on his jacket and shoes, then handed him the crutches nearby. He took my hand, his palm's warmth steadying me as we walked out of the room, only to encounter a nurse making rounds.

She immediately recognized David, who was still recovering, and hurried to stop us. "Sir, your wound still needs rest. You can't move around freely, especially to the morgue where it's cold and you could bump your injury!"

David stopped, his tone sincere but firm. "This is an emergency. I have to go with her. Please make an exception—I'll be careful to protect my wound and won't overexert myself."

He gently patted my hand, signaling me not to worry. The nurse hesitated for a few seconds, seeing our urgent expressions, and finally nodded. "Then you must be careful and avoid any strenuous activity!"

After thanking her, we hurried down the corridor toward the morgue, the lights trailing behind our footsteps. My heart raced with urgency and anticipation, desperate to see Ava and Jennifer and understand what was happening.

But when we reached the morgue, there was only Ava sitting alone on the floor, holding a letter in her hand.

She was crying, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at me and said, "Life is really so short."

I trembled as I asked, "What happened to Jennifer?"

Ava's voice broke. "She... she killed herself. She used poison from home. She walked home from the hospital step by step, covered in blood. Why do I always see so much blood?"

I immediately wrapped my arms around Ava, holding her tight.

Both of us were overwhelmed with emotion. Life was so fragile, so brief. Jennifer was such a kind, cheerful girl—how could this be her ending?

David stood beside us quietly, saying nothing, just watching us with compassionate eyes.

Ava handed me the letter with shaking hands.

When I read Jennifer's words apologizing to me, I couldn't hold back and broke down sobbing.

I didn't blame Jennifer at all—how could I blame a broken woman who had been manipulated and destroyed? I only blamed Gary, that monster who had shattered so many innocent souls.

My hands shook as I finished reading, tears blurring my vision. "She was just a scared mother, and that monster destroyed her. I can't blame Jennifer - if my child had gone through something like that, I probably would have lost my mind long ago."

Ava nodded, her own tears falling freely. "The doctors... they couldn't save her. She's gone."

David moved closer despite his injury, wrapping his good arm around both of us. "This isn't your fault," he said quietly. "Either of you. This is Gary's fault. Even in death, he's still destroying lives."

A hospital staff member approached us quietly. "Are you here for Jennifer? You can... see her now, if you'd like."

The staff member led us to where Jennifer lay. They pulled back the white sheet covering her still form.

Despite everything she had endured, despite the poison that had taken her life, Jennifer's face was peaceful and serene. There was even the faintest trace of a gentle smile on her pale lips, as if she had finally found the peace and freedom that had eluded her in life.

I reached out with trembling fingers, gently touching her cold hand. "She looks... peaceful," I whispered through my tears.

"How many more?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "So Aiden was Gary's last student - does that mean we can finally feel safe now?"

Ava wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Yes. It's over."