Chapter 1213
Surprised, Ralph paused, but Lily had already turned to leave. Chump drove while Heather sat in the back, holding Hannah. The younger girl's breathing was so shallow it seemed about to cease.
"You wretched girl, don't die on me," Heather muttered, her voice laced with threat. "You can't die without my permission. You hear me? You're not allowed to die!"
Hannah remained unresponsive.
Driving silently, Chump glanced in the rearview mirror, shocked. Heather, usually calm even when injured, was weeping, tears falling onto Hannah's face.
As Lily reached the gate, Alexander hurried toward her, sensing something was wrong. "What's the matter? Heather's car just left. Why did she leave you here?" He was so worried he nearly burst into the house, relieved to see her emerge. He examined her carefully, sighing in relief at her lack of injury.
"Hannah committed suicide," Lily said. The bloody scene had shocked her. "She bled so much. I'm afraid she won't make it."
"Who?" Alexander asked, bewildered.
"Let's go to the hospital," Lily corrected herself.
Heather waited outside the operating room, her horrified expression and trembling body conveying her distress. Lily had never seen her so fragile. Chump stood beside her, his concern focused on Heather, not Hannah. En route, Lily explained to Alexander what had happened. Even without witnessing it firsthand, he was astonished. He'd assumed his family's relationship with the Riggs family was purely a matter of convenience, making Heather's younger sister's—a complete stranger to him—undying love for Ralph all the more surprising.
Ralph arrived soon after, rushing in a cab. Too embarrassed to approach the others, he stood at a distance. Alexander saw him but pretended otherwise, gently holding Lily, sensing her distress.
The operating room light went out. A doctor emerged, apologetically shaking her head.
The news was expected, yet still devastating for Heather. Chump prevented her from collapsing as she lunged toward the gurney, lifting the sheet to reveal Hannah's lifeless face. Her sister's silence was final.
"Hannah Riggs, you're not allowed to die!" Heather cried, before collapsing.