One good news and one bad. Which do you want first?
Whoever said death only visits once clearly never endured a night like this. Austin wasn’t bleeding, but the pain gnawed at him from the inside, slow, steady, relentless. It wasn’t just physical. It was the kind of torment that came with helplessness, with staring at the clock and begging for the sun to rise, just so he could move, act, do something.
Not even in his darkest nightmares had he imagined this, a night more excruciating than death, just waiting for morning to come.
Ronan had promised that by sunrise, they would have a lead. He said they could trace the ambulance. Find the driver. Piece together the truth.
Austin had no one else to talk to. No one to share the weight crushing his chest. Douglas and Sienna had finally found peace, building a life together. He couldn’t ruin that. What would he even tell them?
That a pregnant woman, her face hidden, had begged him for help… and the only thing that struck him was the word she used. "Darling." The very endearment Dora once used for him.
It wasn’t the first time he thought he’d seen Dora. His mind had tricked him before, sent him chasing shadows like a madman. Sienna had seen it too. She knew the depth of his grief. She never stopped him. But how many times could he say it and expect them to believe him?
Not this time. He would prove it. This time, he wasn’t hallucinating.
He spent the entire night on the balcony, on the same spot he once watched the sunrise with Dora. He clutched the same blanket she used. Her fading scent was the only thing holding him together.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t sleep, he dared not to. Every time he closed his eyes, her whimpers haunted him. Her cries echoed in the silence.
By 8 a.m., he was showered, dressed, and already on his way to Ronan’s office. When Ronan arrived, he wasn’t surprised to find Austin waiting in his car. The desperation in his eyes said everything.
Ronan stepped out, not wasting time. “One good news and one bad. Which do you want first?”
“Bad,” Austin replied without hesitation.
“We couldn’t get her location,” Ronan said flatly.
Austin’s heart sank. “And the good?”
“The driver remembered her. He also recognized the man with her.”
Austin’s throat tightened. Relief and dread crashed together in his chest.
“He showed us where he dropped them off. Police are already searching the area,” Ronan added, motioning for Austin to follow him inside.
“The place is an old, abandoned lodge on the outskirts of the city. But I doubt that’s where they stayed. My team tracked the trail, after a few kilometres, it led straight into a vast forest.”
“You think he changed direction?” Austin asked.
“I do. But with police help, we’ll find him soon,” Ronan said confidently.
“Where exactly did the driver drop them?” Austin asked, already making up his mind.
“I knew you’d ask that,” Ronan replied. “That’s why I came early. Let me grab my gun, we’ll go together.”
“You’ve done enough,” Austin said, his voice soft with gratitude. “You don’t have to come.”
Ronan paused, locking eyes with him. “This isn’t a favour. I’ve seen how far your love for her goes and I want this madness to end too. Let’s bring her back.”
A nod was all Austin could manage.
Words felt heavy, unnecessary. His heart had been pounding since the previous evening, and Ronan’s unwavering support only made the weight in his chest harder to bear. Gratitude stirred within him, but there were no words deep enough to express it.
Just like Ronan had described, the location they were headed to was far from the city’s edge. Eventually, the road disappeared altogether, swallowed by the thick shadows of a forest. Ronan had come prepared, bringing a jeep suited for the rough terrain. The vehicle bounced over roots and rocks, shaking them as they navigated deeper into the woods.
They drove without a clear path, stopping often to mark trees with red ribbons so they wouldn’t lose their way back. The deeper they went, the more lost Austin felt, both in the forest and in his thoughts.
Eventually, the trees grew too dense. There was no way forward.
“Looks like we took the wrong turn,” Ronan said, pointing in the opposite direction. “Let’s try that way.”
Just as Austin was about to agree, his phone buzzed in his pocket. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the caller ID.
It was his father.
He quickly answered. “Dad?”
“Austin…” Noah's voice wavered. “Can you come to the hospital?”
“Is something wrong?” Austin asked, dread already rising in his throat.
“The test results are out. I just thought… maybe you could come.” His father’s voice trailed off, unable to say more. Austin knew the silence said more than words ever could—his father was just as afraid of what the doctors might say.
“I’ll be there,” he replied quickly, hanging up.
He turned to Ronan with a deep sigh. “I need to get back. Mum’s doctor called.”
Ronan gave a solemn nod. “We’ll pick this up again tomorrow. No worries.”
They drove back in silence.
By the time Austin reached the hospital, the sky had turned to amber. His father was already waiting outside, face lined with fatigue. As they entered, Austin noticed the doctor standing nearby. His expression was unreadable, but something about his calm demeanour gave Austin a sliver of hope.
Dr James gestured for him to sit. “No need to look so tense, Mr Jess. The reports brought relief.”
Austin let out the breath he hadn’t realised he was holding.
“The brain is a mysterious organ,” the doctor continued with a kind smile. “What may seem critical at first glance can sometimes be easily treated. In your mother’s case, the clot is not fatal. A straightforward surgery should take care of it.”
Noah slumped into a chair, visibly overwhelmed with relief.
“Are there any risks?” he asked, leaning forward.
“There’s no such thing as a completely risk-free procedure,” Dr James replied gently. “But this surgery has a high success rate, and our surgeons are some of the best in the field. Your wife is in safe hands.”
The doctor then glanced at Austin. “We’ll do everything we can. But sometimes, what patients need more than medicine is love—comforting words, familiar voices. Miracles do happen. Especially when you don’t give up.”
While his father stayed back to discuss a few more questions, Austin made his way to the ward.
He was halfway there when he caught sight of a familiar figure hurrying after a nurse down the hallway. Daniel.
Austin slowed. A stretcher was being wheeled ahead of them, and Daniel was clearly following it. Austin didn’t mean to approach him, but his feet moved on their own.
Sensing someone behind him, Daniel turned around.
He stopped, stiffening at the sight of his former best friend.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, frowning.
“I should be asking you that,” Austin replied, eyeing him. “You look shaken. Is everything alright?”
Daniel hesitated. “I saw a woman collapse on the road. I brought her here.”
Austin raised a brow.
“It wasn’t me who hit her,” Daniel added quickly. “I was just driving by.”
“You came back?” Austin asked, startled.
“I don’t see how that’s your business,” Daniel snapped. “Or are you scared I might mess up your perfect little life again?”
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