Chapter 9

Meanwhile, in the ward, Jenson felt a strange unease gnaw at him as he stared out at the darkening sky. When Emily noticed how distracted he was, her gaze dimmed slightly. Her eyes turned red as she spoke in a pitiful voice, "Jenson, can you stay with me tonight? I'm really scared. Please don't leave me alone." With that, she let out a soft sob, looking delicate and vulnerable. Seeing Emily in tears, Jenson instinctively wanted to agree. But just as the words reached his lips, an image of Estella flashed through his mind—her pale face and her teary yet stubborn eyes as she endured the terror of being held hostage. For some reason, his chest tightened, and a sharp pain pricked at his heart. Frowning, he turned Emily down. "Mike's been arrested. You don't have to worry about him anymore. Estie went through a terrible ordeal. I need to be with her. It's getting late—you should rest. I'll visit you tomorrow." The moment he finished speaking, Emily's sobs abruptly stopped. She grabbe