Chapter 24

The wail of an ambulance shattered the tranquility of the gated community. Mabel stood frozen outside the operating room, her clothes stained with blood, still unable to process what had happened. Hours later, Frank emerged. "We saved his life, but his legs... they're beyond repair this time." Mabel's heartbeat roared in her ears. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. The day of her scheduled departure came and went—Mabel never boarded the plane to Valdoria. Before leaving, Noah called her. "Mabes, whatever you decide... I'll respect it." Three days later, Wesley finally regained consciousness. When told he would never walk again, he took several deep breaths before silent tears rolled down his temples. "Mabes... these legs only stood again because of you. Now... I've given them back." Mabel absorbed this in heavy silence. Finally, she asked with complex emotions, "What will you do now?" Wesley's laugh was bleak. "What options do I have? The corporation disowned me. Now, wit