?<strong>Chapter 408:</strong>


    Joelle yanked out the IV, and everyone rushed to stop her, their concerned voices crashing over her like waves. But in that moment, she couldn’t hear a single word.


    Finally, Adrian raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.


    Joelle looked at him. “Adrian, Rnd’s waiting for me, isn’t he?”


    Adrian nodded, lifting Joelle in his arms. “I’ll take you to see him.”


    The hospital morgue was cold, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat Joelle had experienced earlier.


    Adrian apanied her inside, the two of them alone in the stark, empty room that contained nothing but a cold table.


    On the tabley a small, fragile body shrouded in a white sheet. Even though she wasn’t sure it was Rnd, the very thought of a child’s life being extinguished sent a wave of grief crashing over Joelle. But she had to know for sure.


    The doctor pulled back the sheet and said, “You need to brace yourselves mentally.”


    With Adrian’s support, Joelle wiped away her tears and pinched her thigh.


    Perhaps Rnd would suddenly sit up and call her “Mom.” Maybe this was all just a cruel prank.


    Joelle clung to that thought, managing a small smile. But as the sheet was slowly pulled back, the charred body became visible.


    A voice in Joelle’s mind kept reverberating, “This is Rnd. He is gone…”


    “Joelle!”


    Adrian held her steady as Joelle clenched her teeth, breaking free from his grip and rushing toward Rnd.


    “Rnd…” Joelle murmured, her hands trembling as she examined his small body, wishing with all her heart that she could restore him.


    “I’m so sorry, my baby. I’m so sorry!”


    She felt lost, unsure of where to touch him without causing pain.


    “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”


    In that moment, Joelle’s heart felt as though it was being torn apart. She slowly sank to the floor, clutching her chest in torment, crying out in despair.


    Her throat burned with difort, but it was her heart that endured the real, unbearable agony.


    “Rnd! It’s Mommy’s fault!”


    She clutched her chest, wracked with grief, as Adrian wrapped his arms around her. He knew that no words could possibly ease her unbearable suffering.


    He turned his gaze to the small body on the table, his own heart heavy with sorrow.


    That child held a special ce in Adrian’s heart, whether he was Joelle and Rafael’s son or his nephew. Adrian had always cherished this little life just as much as he cherished Aurora.


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