Chapter 44

Vincent's features clouded over, tension gathering between his brows.

No reassurance came from Vincent, leaving Brinley cold with uncertainty. She took one last desperate chance. "Vincent, you don't believe me?"

A wall of silence met her plea. Vincent's eyes revealed nothing, his thoughts locked away.

Catching a glimpse of his profile, Hannah searched for a clue, but his expression stayed closed off.

Dread pooled in Brinley's stomach. Did this mean Vincent was giving up on her? Her voice cracked as she called out, "Vincent... Please..."

Authority rang through the officer's voice."Ms. Gilbert, you are sentenced to administrative detention.You'll be held for fifteen days."

No sooner had the officer spoken than two more approached to take Brinley by the arms.

Clutching her chest, Brinley gasped for breath. "Vincent, I can't breathe... My heart-it really hurts..."

Without warning, she crumpled to the floor.

Chaos erupted as everyonescrambled toward her.

Quick to react, Vincent swept her into his arms, voice shaking as he screamed, "To the hospital! Now!"

Never before had Hannah seen him look so utterly frantic. The fear in his eyes was a revelation.

In that moment, Hannah understood what set love apart from indifference. No tears came-she only pressed her lips together, numb as she observed the scene unravel.

A few minutes later, she finished her final statement and slipped out of the police station alone.

···

Flashing red lights carried them to Dorbarrow Hospital, where Brinley was whisked into emergency care.

The attending physician shot Vincent a hard stare. "She has a serious heart condition. Don't you know that?

Another two minutes, and we could've lost her."

Vincent stood as if turned to stone. He tried to process it. Brinley had been living with a heart condition all along? Suddenly, her previous words of being sick with no one by her side when she was abroad flashed back to his mind. So, she'd been plagued by this serious illness?

The doctor's tone left no room for argument. "You must protect her from any emotional distress. Her heart can't handle much more. You need to keep her calm at all times."

With a few more instructions rattled off, the doctor stepped away, leaving Vincent reeling.

Vincent lingered by the doorway, memories pulling him backward. He could see himself as a boy of seven,watching from the shore while the ocean claimed both Brinley's father and her brother. He could barely breathe as waves of self-reproach, remorse, and sorrow rose and fell, making it hard to stand his ground.

Hours slipped by while he stayed rooted there, lost in that tide of emotion.

When daylight finally crept through the blinds, Brinley woke and found Vincent right by her side. She struggled to speak. "Vincent, I-"

Vincent stopped her before she could say more. "Why did you keep your heart condition from me? This is serious. You should have told me."

2

She muttered, "I just didn't want you to worry. Most of the time, it's not so bad. As long as I stay calm, I can live a normal life."

His voice carried more weight than usual. "Heart disease isn't something to brush off. I'm calling a specialist. You're getting a more detailed reassessment, and we'll set up a treatment plan that works."

Her eyes flickered, and unease crept in. She hastily stopped him. "Please don't make me go through with that, Vincent. I don't want any treatment. I don't want to be separated from you. My father and brother are already gone... What if I don't survive the surgery?" Tears slipped down her cheeks.

Vincent's resolve softened as he watched her cry. "Then focus on feeling better for now. If things get worse,have a specialist check on you."

A bit of relief flickered across Brinley's face as she agreed. "Alright." Her fingers trembled as she reached for his, "Vincent, please believe me-l was set up. I really don't know those two men. I would never do anything to damage my own name."

He hesitated and then gently pulled away. "Let me handle this. You just concentrate on getting better."

A faint smile crossed her lips. "Alright. I promise, I'Il take care of myseIf. You don't have to worry."

Vincent offered a quiet nod, not quite meeting her eyes. When he finished giving her a few last reminders,he left her to rest.

Not long after, Derek sent Vincent a message. "Mr. Jones, should we keep digging?"

Vincent sent a quick reply. "Stop. That's enough."

Vincent knew sorting out Brinley's situation meant he had to begin with Hannah. His first move was to call her.

Meanwhile, at home, Hannah was focused on finalizing details for Sharon's birthday party plan. The moment Vincent's name appeared on her phone, she hit decline without missing a beat. A second call came through,but she rejected it again, just as quickly. Her solution to his ongoing calls was to silence her phone altogether.

Minutes later, Vincent stormed back and appeared at her doorway, his patience frayed. "Why wouldn't you answer me?"

"I just didn't want to." Hannah didn't even look up from her work.

He leaned against the frame of the doorway, exhaustion dragging at his features. His words were strained from lack of sleep. "We need to talk."

Her eyes flickered with annoyance. "What is there left to say? It's about Brinley, isn't it?"

With less edge in his tone, Vincent tried to reason with her. "She's already admitted she made a mistake."

Hannah rolled her eyes. Of course, it was about Brinley. A humorless chuckle escaped her. "What,now she needs you to apologize on her behalf?"

Vincent didn't respond to the jab, choosing instead to cut to the chase."L_et's just drop this whole thing."