Chapter 86 Remembering Everything After the Accident
Emma knew Nicholas was still fighting against the drug's effects, so she didn't push him away.
After about five minutes, he slowly released her.
She turned off the shower and helped his nearly depleted body out of the bathroom.
After settling him on the couch, she took a large towel and gently dried his hair.
Nicholas leaned against the sofa back, eyes tightly closed, water droplets still clinging to his long lashes, his face frighteningly pale.
Emma found the first aid kit and knelt in front of him, carefully tending to the wound on his arm.
She carefully cut away his soaked shirt sleeve, revealing three deep gashes—the flesh torn open, blood-stained and shocking to see.
Her hand holding the cotton swab trembled.
The air was filled only with the scent of antiseptic and their labored breathing.
After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes, his voice low and hoarse, yet carrying a strange sense of conviction.
"I didn't touch her."
"I resisted."
"Emma, I didn't betray you!"
Emma's movements suddenly froze. She looked up at him in shock.
So these horrifying wounds weren't inflicted by Zoe—he had done this to himself?
All to maintain his boundaries for her, even while drugged.
Another round of urgent, door-battering knocks shattered the room's tense atmosphere.
Emma snapped back to reality and went to answer the door.
Matthew stood outside, his handsome face etched with anxiety. Seeing Emma at the door, he looked her up and down.
"Emma! Are you okay?"
His gaze swept past Emma to see Nicholas on the couch—disheveled but with his clothes still intact—and his tense expression finally relaxed slightly.
He immediately removed his suit jacket and draped it over Emma's thin pajamas without asking, wrapping her securely.
"Come with me."
His tone brooked no argument as he grasped her wrist, ready to lead her away.
"Don't you dare leave!" Nicholas shot up from the couch, wanting to rush over.
Four black-suited bodyguards appeared behind him and stepped forward, expressionlessly blocking his path.
"Matthew, how did you get here?" Emma asked, somewhat bewildered as Matthew shielded her.
"I heard about the landslide in your area and couldn't reach you, so I came immediately." Matthew's voice softened, tinged with lingering fear. "I didn't expect to be almost too late. I'm just glad you're okay!"
He raised his hand, habitually ruffling her hair. The weight in his chest finally settled.
Emma felt the warmth from his touch and the concern in Matthew's voice, a wave of comfort washing over her.
Meanwhile, in another hotel suite.
The door was violently kicked open from outside.
A man with an icy demeanor and sinister eyes walked in, followed by another expressionless, burly man.
Zoe cowered in the corner, terrified.
The cold man glanced at her once, his lips curving into a cruel smile.
"Enjoy yourself!"
With that, he turned and left, as if even looking at her was beneath him.
The burly man remained, walking step by step toward the collapsed Zoe, then grabbed her and threw her onto the messy bed.
The next morning, on the highway from Skyview City to Emerald City.
Nicholas sat in the back seat, eyes closed, a trace of fatigue on his brow, yet with an underlying urgency.
A thunderous impact!
An out-of-control dump truck ran a red light, charging like a maddened beast straight into Nicholas's black sedan!
The massive impact sent the car flying!
The vehicle tumbled twice in the air before crashing with a "clang" into the roadside trees.
Airbags deployed instantly as glass fragments scattered everywhere.
The following security vehicles screeched to a halt, bodyguards rushing over with pale faces.
"Mr. Harrison!"
They frantically pulled open the car door to find Nicholas slumped in the back seat, his forehead bleeding, blood trickling down his sharp features as he lay completely unconscious.
Everything was so dark.
He seemed to return to that winter night many years ago, surrounded by endless darkness.
In a run-down farmhouse, the oil lamp's glow was dim and weak.
A small figure lay in bed, her face flushed with fever, lips cracked and dry.
A little girl weakly grasped his hand, her burning temperature radiating through his skin. "Don't leave Stella behind..."
He gently patted her small hand, his voice still carrying a boy's clarity. "Stella, don't worry."
"You have a fever now and can't travel far with me. Once you're better, after Christmas, I'll come back for you."
He pulled a folded paper airplane from his pocket, carefully placing it in her burning palm.
Tears immediately welled up in the little girl's eyes. "Nicholas... you have to come back..."
"Yes." He nodded solemnly with characteristic teenage earnestness. "I will definitely come back."
He pulled out another piece of paper, slowly writing down an address with a pencil.
"This is my home address. Keep it safe—don't lose it."
He tucked the note into her hand, then pulled out a stack of bills, handing them to the kind-faced elderly man nearby.
"Please... take care of her."
With that, he steeled himself and turned to leave.
At the doorway, he couldn't help but look back.
The tiny figure stood in the dim doorway, clutching the paper airplane and address, watching him leave with tearful eyes, crying silently.
"Stella!"
Nicholas's eyes flew open, a sharp, suffocating pain piercing his chest.
He gasped for air, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
That dream... that night buried deep in his memory... and Stella!
He finally remembered. His entire body thrummed with excitement.
"Mr. Harrison! You're finally awake!" Charlie's delighted voice rang out beside him. "I'll get the doctor right away!"
Nicholas's sharp gaze swept around—white walls, the smell of disinfectant.
"Where am I?" His voice was hoarse from just waking up.
"Crestview Medical Clinic in Skyview City," Charlie answered quickly. "You were in a car accident on the way back yesterday and were unconscious for a day and night. The doctor checked you over—no major physical damage, just some concussion and external injuries."
Nicholas didn't hear the rest of Charlie's words. He suddenly raised his hand and yanked out the IV needle from the back of his hand!
The movement was swift and decisive.
Blood immediately began flowing.
Charlie was startled. "Mr. Harrison, what are you doing!"
Nicholas threw off the blanket and sat up, his eyes frighteningly determined, his tone allowing no argument.
"Back to Emerald City."
Now. Immediately!
He couldn't wait—he had to see her: his Stella.
He had forgotten her for twelve whole years. He would make up for everything he owed her.