Holdenâs face was still a bit pale.
He had clearly just risen from sleep.
âYou woke up already? Maybe youâd better rest a bit more; we can handle this,â Adrian proposed, his voice laced with concern.
âIâm fine,â Holden replied curtly, before making his way out alongside Devin.
âIâll go with you!â Sonia exclaimed, eager to join.
Mitchel blocked her path, saying, âIâll go.
Melon really needs you here; stay and look after him and Adele.
â
He then turned to Adrian.
âYou should also stay here with Sonia.
Iâll accompany Holden.
Weâll be fine.
â
On the road, Holden sat in the car, his eyes tightly closed and his brow furrowed with worry.
His emotions were scattered, a clear sign of his distress.
Just the thought of Ariana possibly being dead was driving him to the edge, his mind tense and aching from the relentless thoughts of vengeance.
He questioned himself internally.
Why hadnât he gone with Ariana when she asked? Why had he chosen to go to Mistlyn instead? Why hadnât he accompanied her?
The image of Ariana, scared in the car that was out of control, trying to protect the kids, was too much to bear.
Why hadnât he been there when she needed him the most?
Why hadnât he been by her side in her final moments? Why had he let her die alone and scared?
These thoughts haunted Holden, causing a headache so severe that it almost numbed him.
He hadnât eaten anything, yet there was a persistent bitter taste in his mouth.
Mitchel, noticing something was wrong with Holden due to his medical training, softly called out, âHolden.
â
Holden opened his eyes and gave Mitchel a cold stare as if to question what was wrong.
Seeing the raw anger in Holdenâs eyes, Mitchel chose to remain silent.
Holden shut his eyes again, enduring the discomfort.
But shortly after, Mitchel called out to him once more.
Annoyed, Holden was about to snap when Mitchel tossed him a pill that resembled candy.
Holden examined it, then glanced at Mitchel, who stated plainly, âItâs a sedative.
You need it right now.
â
Holden uttered through gritted teeth, âI donât need it.
â
âYou donât want her to see you all disheveled and out of sorts when we find her,â Mitchel said calmly.
Holden stopped short, the pill squeezed between his fingers.
After a silent moment, he swallowed it.
Mitchel stayed silent for a long time before he finally said, âI donât think sheâs dead.
The fact that they havenât found her body or any trace of her by the lake is promising.
As a doctor, Iâve seen enough to understand that hope should be the last thing you lose.
â
Holden listened in silence and, after a long pause, muttered, âThanks.
â