Chapter 279
Chapter 279
Emily didn’t care about holding Lydia accountable anymore. She rushed over and blurted out, “Doctor, Grandpa Charles-
Suddenly, she didn’t dare to finish her question. Her heart felt like it was dangling over a blade. But just because she didn’t ask didn’t mean the doctor wouldn’t speak up.
Looking at the pale girl with a bandage wrapped around her head and such a timid, careful look in her eyes, the doctor sighed, “I’m sorry. We did everything we could.”
In that instant, the last thread holding Emily together snapped, and it felt like something exploded in her mind. Darkness closed in from all sides, engulfing her completely.
Just before she lost consciousness, she heard Austin’s panicked voice calling out, “Emily,”—and then the world went silent.
Emily felt herself sinking into darkness. It was the darkness that seemed to stretch on forever, with no end in sight. Suddenly, she remembered when she first arrived at St. Gabriel Reform Academy.
She’d been pampered her whole life, and when Lydia came back, Emily thought that being ignored and hated by the Bennett Family were the most miserable days of her life. It felt like the world was falling.
But later, Emily realized that being trampled on like a stray dog was even more painful.
For the students at St. Gabriel Reform Academy, going hungry and being ignored were actually the most bearable treatment hey could hope for.
Beatings, insults, threats, and intimidation formed the real darkness of life.
Emily thought she was going to die more than once. Whenever she reached her breaking point, it felt like death was the only way out.
But every time she felt that way, she’d remember Charles and how he still treasured her just like before, even when everyone else had turned their backs on her.
Charles always told her, “Emily, don’t be sad. No matter how others change, you’ll always have me.
‘No matter what happens, I’ll always be right behind you, waiting for you, protecting you. I’ll always be your last resort and
your support.
‘If you’re ever tired or scared, just come to me. No matter how hard things get, I will always have your back.”
Emily held on to Charles’s words, enduring two long years at St. Gabriel Reform Academy. Even after she came back, she forced herself to put up with the Bennett Family just so she could stay by Charles’s side.
Emily didn’t care about anything else; she just wanted to quietly stay with Charles. That was all she ever wanted. But now, Charles was gone.
Scalding tears slid from the corners of Emily’s eyes as she lay on the hospital bed, eyes closed, crying in utter silence.
Austin had just been relieved to see her wake up, but now it felt like his heart was being wrenched. He pulled out a tissue and gently wiped away her tears, then sat by her bedside, keeping her silent company.
Emily didn’t open her eyes, but she knew who it was. She couldn’t help but speak, her voice hoarse. “Austin, I don’t have Grandpa anymore.”
Austin opened his mouth, but for once, the words failed him. He was never at a loss for words, not even when roasting
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Chapter 279
someone, but now he just didn’t know what to say.
He’d never had a family member who loved him unconditionally, and he’d never experienced the loss of someone so close. So he didn’t know how to comfort her.
Austin just took her hand and gently patted it, as if silently saying, “I’m still with you.”
After what felt like forever, Emily finally managed to pull herself together and open her eyes.
It was still her face, but Austin could feel an icy chill clinging to her. Her eyes were empty now, devoid of any hope or life. His heart twisted painfully at the sight.
Emily propped herself up and asked, “How long was I out?”
“Two days,” Austin replied.
