“This kind of death is probably one of the least painful ways to go.”

Jason, however, sounded disgusted. “Still, it’s a coward’s method. Crude and cheap. That’s why it’s been blacklisted by hospitals across the board. I can’t believe someone actually managed to get their hands on it.”

Aurora and Lucas exchanged a long glance, both letting out a heavy sigh. That was far too close. If she hadn’t woken up… What else could’ve happened? It was unthinkable. And she couldn’t afford to lose Lucas. After all this time, after everything they’d been through—after taking such a long, winding path just to end up together—how could she bear to be separated from him again?

Sometimes, she even found herself grateful for that accident because it had finally shown her who the boy from her memories truly was. Turned out, she had been the foolish one all along. She’d wasted three years of her life on someone who’d never really mattered. So, what had those three years been? A joke? What did Joseph see when he looked at her back then? He was probably laughing at the girl who bent over backward for him, doted on him, even imagined a future with him. If she didn’t know he was in love with Judy all along, maybe she would’ve never seen him for who he really was. It had taken real heartbreak to open her eyes. If not for that, she might have stayed, clinging to him out of some misplaced sense of gratitude. But in the end, fate hadn’t played that cruel of a trick on her. She had walked away. And because of that bet with her mother, she met Lucas. Their childhood memories, no matter how distant, were enough. They were real. And now, they had each other.

Fate was always hard to explain. Pushed by her mother and caught in a twist of timing, Aurora met Lucas. Just like that, two people in need of a spouse had ended up registering their marriage together. Looking back, it was still a little unbelievable.

While Aurora was lost in thought, Lucas couldn’t sit still any longer. How could Julian dare lay a hand on his woman? If he didn’t do something about it, could he still call himself a man? That thought made his fists clench instinctively. He turned to Jason and waved his hand. “You can go.”

“Alright. I’ll take care of the other matters.” Jason was perceptive enough to know when to excuse himself. What these two needed now was time alone, not someone lingering around like a third wheel. And the longer he stayed, the more likely someone from the top would come looking for him. Jason had earned his reputation abroad not just for his skills, but for his emotional intelligence. That was why so many people sought him out, hoping he could treat their loved ones. If it weren’t for Kenneth introducing them—someone who actually had the clout to get in touch—Jason likely wouldn’t have been available at all. But all that was beside the point now. Everyone knew Jason’s capabilities; there was no doubt about that. No one worried when he was involved.

Once Jason left, a heavy ache settled in Lucas’ chest. He pulled Aurora into his arms, holding her tightly, unwilling to let go for even a second. “I’m sorry. This was my fault.”

But Aurora simply reached up and gently rubbed the back of his head, her touch soft and comforting.