Linsey lowered her eyes and murmured, Joanne s hatred has been festering ever since she found out Alicia married Jeffery. She s been spiraling and today, she finally snapped.

She paused, her gaze distant, a flicker of conflict in her eyes. Loving someone isn t wrong. But Joanne never once chose the right path. Even knowing Alicia and Jeffery truly loved each other, she confronted Alicia with nothing but spite.

Dolores let out a weary sigh. Maybe maybe years of unreturned love twisted into something darker. Obsession.

Linsey let the thought linger but refused to justify Joanne s cruelty. It s a relief they re still alive. If something had happened even Joanne s death wouldn t have atoned for what she did.

To Linsey, anyone who could lift a hand against a pregnant woman no matter how heartbroken or desperate had crossed a line far beyond redemption.

Before long, the door opened, and Dustin entered, arms loaded with a large bag of food. Behind him, his subordinates trailed in carrying several bags brimming with daily necessities.

Dolores blinked in surprise. Why did you bring so much?

Unfazed, Dustin instructed his men to set the bags on the table and replied matter-of-factly, They ll be here for a while. These are the basics they ll need them.

Even Linsey looked mildly taken aback. Didn t peg you for the thoughtful type. Impressive.

A wry smile ghosted across Dustin s lips. Well, I have to make sure they re looked after until they re truly okay.

The gratitude in both women s eyes didn t need words.

Just as Dustin reached into the bag to offer each a dish, a sudden cough broke the silence. It came from Jeffery.

His face, already deathly pale, twisted in pain as the cough strained his wounded back.

Jeffery! Linsey sprang to her feet. She rushed to his side, bent over him, and gently stroked his hair. Jeffery, can you hear me? Are you awake?

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Jeffery took a few shallow breaths before his eyes snapped open wide, wild, and clouded with fear.

For a moment, he stared at the ceiling as if struggling to remember where he was. Then, abruptly, he turned his head toward Linsey.

His first words came out cracked and hoarse. Alicia where s Alicia?

Jeffery stared at Linsey, visibly unsettled. A vague memory flickered in his mind just before losing consciousness, he had seen Alicia collapse, blood pouring from her neck in a terrifying torrent. The image had haunted him through fragmented, disoriented dreams.

Noticing his growing distress, Linsey gently shifted to the side, allowing him a clear view of the bed beside him.

Her voice was soft but steady, a balm against the panic in his chest. Alicia hasn t regained consciousness yet, she explained. But the doctor assured us she s stable. The baby s safe too. She s just extremely weak now and needs lots of rest.

Jeffery s eyes remained clouded, as if still caught in the haze of panic. Without hesitation, Linsey reached out and supported his shoulders, propping him up with two soft pillows behind his back.

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