Brian sat on the couch, slurping his instant noodles while the news droned on in the background. The thought of spending the night under the same roof as Morwenna filled him with a gnawing discomfort, like he had swallowed something foul.
To Brian, Morwenna had always been a traitor. Stuart had opened his heart to her, even planning to leave her his inheritance if anything happened to him. Yet, when Stuart disappeared under mysterious circumstances, Morwenna refused to help search for him. It wasnât as if they expected her to dive headlong into danger; if she had agreed, they would have found a way to handle it for her. But her outright refusal was a bitter pill to swallow.
Brian felt that Stuart deserved better.
By six in the evening, Brian was on his second cup of instant noodles. The day's stress and poor diet had left his mouth feeling raw. Meanwhile, Morwenna remained holed up in her room all day. Brian shrugged it off, figuring a day without food wouldnât kill her. Little did he know that Morwenna hadnât eaten properly in days, her emotional anchor completely shattered.
As night fell, a group of four trudged through the wilderness. Jack led them, with Edmund in the middle and Fletcher supporting a weakened Stuart at the rear. The sun had set, yet they were still trapped in the desolate expanse. Travelling in the dark was perilous, so Jack chose a spot to pitch their tents.
Stuart was in a dire condition. His bones were fractured in multiple places, and his wounds were severe. When they found him, Stuart was feverish from infection. Without the two doctors accompanying them, he likely wouldnât have made it this far.
Staring upwards at the seemingly endless forest, Stuart felt delirious, his fever making the idea of ever escaping this wasteland seem impossible.
Fletcher helped him sit down. Suddenly, Stuart spoke in a low voice, âFletcher, if I donât make it out, promise me youâll rescue Norbert and... look after Morwenna for me.â
Fletcher was taken aback. âStuart, donât talk like that. Weâre all getting out of here together.â
Stuart coughed painfully, each spasm a reminder of his broken ribs. âTell Norbert I donât hate him anymore.â
The tragedies of Stuartâs life werenât Norbertâs fault. Over the years, his resentment had faded, understanding that Norbert had kept dark secrets buried primarily for Stuartâs sake. The realization brought him peace.
Before Fletcher could respond, Stuart continued, âAs for Morwenna... never mind. Don't pass on any message. She was never fond of me anyway, so itâs best she forgets.â
It was better that Morwenna hadnât come for him. If she didnât care deeply, she wouldnât mourn the loss.
Fletcher interrupted Stuartâs bleak musings, âStuart, these are your battles to fight. I wonât shoulder them for you.â
How the Ice King Became my Doting Billionaire Husband ï¤Chapter 458 My Beloved Has Risen from Death's Embrace ï¤Chapter 492 âI know my condition. If we donât find a way out soon, I wonât last.â
âStuart,â Fletcher replied, âthereâs something I forgot to tell you. Since you entered the wilderness, Phineas has taken control of the old estate.
Morwenna knows about Norbertâs troubles and is on the verge of a breakdown, refusing food or drink. Sheâs also found out about how you approached her and orchestrated the car accident to deceive her.â
Initially, Fletcher had withheld this information to keep Stuart from worrying. But given Stuartâs current state, he laid everything on the table.
Suddenly, a spark of clarity lit Stuartâs eyes, igniting a fierce will to survive.