Chapter 498:

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Darya interrupted him, her tone firm yet compassionate. “Micah, it’s okay. You don’t have to apologize. The important thing is you’re safe now.”

Since the hospital didn’t allow non-family members of the patient to stay overnight, Darya had to leave. Micah watched her disappear from the doorway, his gaze filled with longing. A flicker of sadness passed through his eyes. He had to let her go, at least for now.

Micah’s once bright and lively eyes dimmed, the weight of his responsibilities as the president of Zenith settling back onto his shoulders. His stay in Gavarnia had to be extended. The pain made it hard for him to sleep anyway, so he asked one of the nurses to help him buy a new laptop, then he started working.

Days passed, and Micah eagerly awaited Darya’s visit. However, she seemed preoccupied with the tasks at the Paragon branch, leaving her with little time to spare. Micah’s anticipation slowly turned to disappointment as Darya’s presence remained elusive.

Darya hired a full-time private nurse for Micah, hoping that would assuage some of the guilt for not visiting him more frequently. She’d have liked to go, but found herself snowed under by an internal audit.

On a Tuesday, she had just stepped out of a street-side café after lunch, still lost in thought, when a little boy collided into her arms. The impact nearly knocked her off balance, but Jasper Rolando swiftly caught her, preventing her from falling.

Darya narrowed her eyes and took in the sight of the boy—a mixed-race child with striking features that blended oriental charm with deep complexity. His curly black hair framed his face, giving him the appearance of a precious little doll.

The boy raised his head, tears shimmering in his eyes as he clung to Darya’s leg.

Her heart softened at the sight of such a cute child on the verge of tears, melting even the coldest corners of her heart. She crouched down, gently rubbing the boy’s hair, and asked in a soft voice, “What’s wrong? Are you lost? Where are your parents?”

“I don’t have a mother…” The boy wiped away his tears, trying to hide his embarrassment.

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Darya’s heart swelled with empathy. She, too, had lost her mother at a young age.

“I’m sorry for bringing up something sad,” Darya consoled the boy as she pulled him into her embrace. “What’s your name?”

“My… my name is Jack…”

“Jack, where’s the rest of your family? I’ll help you find them, okay?” Darya suspected that the boy had gotten separated from his family in the crowd. She wiped away his tears with a piece of tissue.

Jasper Rolando, the branch manager, observed the boy’s apparent attachment to Darya. He chimed in, “Miss McAllister, why don’t we take him to the nearby police station? They can assist in finding his family.”

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