Chapter 19
Matthew froze for a moment before taking the file with stiff fingers. As he flipped through the pages, his face darkened. His hands trembled slightly, and his voice wavered with disbeliel. “T–This can’t be real.”
Sasha leaned in for a glance, and the color drained from her face at once.
Her body swayed. She was barely able to stay upright.
In the emergency room, Fabian hovered between life and death. Images of Valerie flashed through his fading consciousness.
Clad in a white dress, she stood in the sunlight while smiling brightly. She curled up in his arms, and her voice was as soft and sweet as honey. She looked at him through the glass in prison, and her eyes were filled with despair and loneliness.
“Val…” His voice was barely a whisper. A tear slipped down his cheek, soaking into the pillow beneath him.
He couldn’t believe Valerie was gone. He couldn’t believe the years he’d spent hating her had all been for nothing.
From the very start, Valerie had been protecting him and loving him in her own way. She hadn’t lied. He really was the person she loved most in this world.
And he was the one who had pushed her into the abyss.
The battle to save Fabian’s life lasted an entire day and night. More than once, Fabian teetered on the edge of death, only to be dragged back by the relentless efforts of the doctors.
When he finally regained consciousness, the room was empty except for Shane. His eyes were red–rimmed. His voice was hoarse as he said, “Mr. Porter, you pulled through.”
Fabian’s gaze drifted toward the window. Sunlight streamed in through the curtains. It was bright yet unable to pierce the darkness inside him.
His voice, though weak, held firm “Book me a flight to Eleyburn.”
Shane lowered his head and spoke in a trembling voice, “As per Ms. Hartman’s wishes, she’s already been given a sky burial. The specialist said she was pure in life, and her soul will find peace. Mr. Porter, your body is too weak now. Even if you go, it won’t change anything.”
A flicker of pain crossed Fabian’s face. He shut his eyes, and tears slid down his face. However, he insisted. “Book the flight”
The next day, Fabian stood in the study of the Porter residence. The thick curtains allowed only slivers of sunlight to seep through, yet none of it could reach the shadows in his eyes.
Matthew sat behind the desk. His face was paie, and his fingers shook slightly. He sounded exhausted. “Fabian, I know you’re hurting. But the dead don’t come back. No matter what you do, Valerie’s gone.”
Fabian’s gaze remained fixed on the window. His voice was calm, yet it left no room for argument. “I’m going to Eleyburn.”
Matthew’s frown deepened. His voice was laced with frustration as he said, “That place is harsh, and you’re still recovering. If Valerie knew you were putting yourself through this, do you think she’d rest in peace?”
Fabian still didn’t turn around. His tone remained cold. “I’m going to Eleyburn.”
Matthew clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His voice caught in his throat. “Fabian, I get that you’re grieving, but you can’t do this to yourself. You can’t throw your life away for someone who’s already gone!”
Finally, Fabian turned to face him. His eyes were sharp as ice. “I’m going to Eleyburn.”
Matthew was stunned into silence. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
The air in the study grew thick with tension. Sorrow lingered in the space between them, heavy and unspoken.
Just then, the door creaked open. Sasha stepped inside. Her complexion was ghostly pale, and her eyes were filled with exhaustion and pain.
She glanced at Fabiar, then at Matthew. Her voice sounded soft yet firm “Let him go, Mr. Porter.”
Matthew froze at those words. His trown deepened. “Sasha, you too?”
Sasha lowered her gaze, and her voice quivered slightly. “I know Valerie’s death hit Fab hard. He needs time to process and face it. If you force him to stay, he’ll never let go.” Matthew’s face twisted with conflict in the end, he exhaled sharply and waved a hand in resignation. “Do whatever you want. i’m done.”
Sasha stepped closer to Fabian. As she looked at him, her eyes were filled with emotions too complex to name. “Fab, tell her I’m sorry. I’ll never stop missing het I’ll never stop being grateful.
“I donated as much blood as I could over the past two days. And I will keep doing it for the rest of my life. It’s the only way I can make up for what I’ve done.“
Fabian’s gaze remained icy, as if he hadn’t heard her. Without a word, he turned and left the study. His figure looked resolute yet lonely.
