Chapter 189

Chapter 189

"It doesn't hurt." Evelyn crouched down and reached out to smooth Caleb's messy hair.

"I just bumped my shoulder when I fell. It'll be fine in a bit."

"You fall down when you play with Chloe too, don't you? It's really the same thing."

Caleb nodded, but looking at Evelyn's haggard appearance, his tears still rolled down uncontrollably.

Evelyn gently pulled Caleb into her arms, patting his back rhythmically.

Caleb didn't make a sound. He just buried his face in the curve of Evelyn's shoulder, his small frame trembling.

He'd been so worried the whole trip back.

Chloe didn't know about Evelyn's injury. She'd been excited about going home, chattering away, even mentioning visiting the handsome man to see the kittens.

Caleb's heart had been in knots the entire time, and he'd had to act calm in front of Chloe.

All kinds of terrible thoughts had churned through his mind, over and over.

What if Evelyn was badly hurt? What if that person... He didn't dare think further.

Thank God. Thank God he could see with his own eyes that Evelyn was okay.

After a long moment, Caleb lifted his head. His eyes were still red, his voice muffled. "Is he... okay?"

The person in the news who'd been badly injured protecting Mom, who'd bled so much—how was he?

Evelyn looked into her son's innocent yet worried eyes. Her nose stung sharply, and her eyes grew hot.

"He's had surgery. He's still unconscious. He's in the ICU now."

"The doctor said he has a strong will to live. As long as he makes it through tonight without complications, he should recover."

She paused. "Caleb, do you want to go see him?"

Caleb fell silent for a moment, then looked down at his fingers. His voice was small. "I'm not ready yet... I need to think about it."

"Okay, that's fine." Evelyn didn't press him. She touched his head and stood up.

"It's getting late. You'll sleep at the hospital tonight. I'll take you to where you can rest."

Evelyn's shoulder injury meant she couldn't carry him, so she held his hand instead, and they walked together to the hospital room's rest area.

Caleb had been worried all day. Now, finally at ease, his head hit the pillow and his eyes closed almost immediately.

Evelyn gently tucked the blanket around him. Her gaze lingered on his peaceful sleeping face before she turned to look at Susan, who'd been quiet this whole time.

"I'm sorry you had to worry. At your age, traveling back and forth like this." Evelyn's tone carried apology.

"We're family. Why say such things?" Susan shook her head, her voice slightly hoarse.

"What parent doesn't worry about their child? I've seen your medical records. Thank God there are no life-threatening injuries."

"Tomorrow I'll bring in specialists from across the country to treat you. You should be fine very soon."

Evelyn nodded.

"All right, you should rest early too. Sleep is the most important thing for healing." Susan looked at her, eyes full of heartache.

Just then, the door opened and Monica walked in.

"Mrs. Gray, the rest facilities here aren't great. Let me have Henry take you back to the villa to rest. He can bring you back tomorrow morning."

Susan turned to look at Henry, who'd followed Monica in.

"Hello, Mrs. Gray." Henry spoke warmly.

"The Phillips' son has grown so big already. Truly a fine young man."

Susan smiled at him, her impression of this young man quite favorable.

"How thoughtful of you both. I really should go back to the villa. Only Pearl and Logan are with Chloe, and I'm worried."

"Thank you for this, Henry."

"Mrs. Gray, you're too kind." Henry smiled, then looked at Monica. "Don't stay up too late, you two."

"We won't." Monica nodded. "After you drop Grandma off, get some rest yourself. We have enough people here."

"Don't worry. When I need you, I'll call."

Monica grabbed her coat and saw Henry and Susan to the car.

Susan leaned back in the rear seat, eyes closed. Her body was exhausted, but her mind couldn't stop for a moment.

This shooting incident—someone had clearly targeted Evelyn.

She'd already sent people to investigate. Although the attacker had committed suicide, the professional detective she'd hired had still traced clues pointing to which organization he likely belonged to.

In the next few days, she planned to uproot that organization completely. Wipe them out entirely.

She wanted the whole world to see what happened to anyone who dared harm her granddaughter!

When Monica returned to the room, the lights were already off.

Evelyn lay in bed, breathing evenly, as if asleep.

Monica didn't immediately get into bed. Instead, she sat by Evelyn's bedside for a while.

Today had been an emotional roller coaster—soaring highs and crushing lows. Her legs still felt weak.

Even though she'd seen Evelyn's test results, she was still terrified.

Evelyn was her only true friend in this life. She was genuinely afraid of losing her.

Evelyn's brow was tightly furrowed in sleep.

Monica watched the blanket over her chest rise and fall rhythmically. Feeling her breathe, knowing she was alive—only then did Monica finally relax and lie down herself.

Evelyn's sleep was far from peaceful.

She had a long, long dream.

In the dream, she and Matthew stood on opposite sides of a chasm.

Beneath their feet was a bottomless abyss—deep, dark, like a gaping mouth waiting to devour everything.

Thick fog surrounded them. Matthew was so far away, his face obscured by the white mist. She couldn't see him clearly at all.

She called his name desperately, over and over, until her voice went hoarse. But he didn't respond.

He just stood there. Silent. Still.

After what felt like forever, he finally turned around.

He was covered in blood. A gaping, bloody hole gaped in his chest, blood pouring out endlessly, staining his shirt crimson.

His expression was mournful, his face ashen. He stood motionless, staring at her. His lips moved slightly, as if saying something.

Evelyn couldn't hear. She tried desperately to reach him.

But the chasm was too long, too wide, too deep.

She couldn't step across. Couldn't fly over.

She couldn't hear his voice. He couldn't hear hers.

She stood at the edge of the cliff, staring at him anxiously across that uncrossable abyss.

Then Matthew began to move.

As if possessed, eyes closed, he walked forward step by step.

Closer and closer to the invisible edge. Pebbles crumbled beneath her feet, tumbling down without a sound.

Until...

He fell straight down.

"Matthew!"

Evelyn screamed, bolting upright. She was awake.

Tears poured out uncontrollably. She couldn't stop them.

She gasped for air, her whole body trembling. Her palms were slick with cold sweat.

Both Monica and Caleb woke at the commotion.

"What's wrong?" Monica sat up in a panic.

"Mommy, are you okay?" Caleb's voice was still rough from sleep, his small face full of worry.

Evelyn opened her mouth to say she was fine, but before the words came out, tears welled up again.