Chapter 267:
Trapped in the small space, Alice felt a sharp pain radiating through her body. She couldn't pinpoint the wounds. Sirens wailed, echoing through the night. Her head pounded, and dizziness overwhelmed her. After passersby pulled her from the rubble, she found herself sitting by the roadside, vision blurring, heart racing.
A voice called, "Ma'am? Can you hear me?" She managed to open her eyes, struggling to focus. The man's face slowly came into view. He waved, asking, "Are you okay?" Alice nodded, looking down to assess her injuries. Numb from the cold, she couldn't tell if her limbs were intact. Panic seized her; had she lost an arm or leg?
The man beside him said, "His calf is hurt, but it doesn't look too bad. I've already contacted your emergency contact. They'll come get you." Alice processed the words slowly. "My emergency contact?" "Yes, the person listed as your emergency contact."
She froze. The man was talking about Caden. Before he could elaborate, he quickly added, "Take care of yourself. There are more people who need help, and I have to assist them." Alice nodded weakly, unsure how to feel. She didn't want to confront Caden, but the pounding in her head left her too weak to call him herself. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around her body, trying to stem the bleeding from her calf.
Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Caden. "How are you?" His voice was hoarse. "I'm fine. It's just a minor injury," she replied. He continued, "I've already called the police. They'll be here soon. Yolanda took the wrong medication, and her condition is critical. I have to go back to the hospital now."
Alice said nothing. She didn't even feel like talking. Caden continued, "You understand how important Yolanda is, right? I can't let anything happen to her." Alice paled. She had no idea how important Yolanda was. What she did know was that Caden was making her feel sick.
Unable to contain herself, she said, "Caden, go away and do whatever you want. Why call me just to make me feel worse?" Caden was silent for a few moments. The tension between them crackled over the phone.