Chapter 1163:

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Eaton’s head came up, something complicated and dark flickering in his eyes as he studied his parents. “Why can’t you just trust me?”

He paused, his jaw setting into a hard line. “I said no, and that’s final. When the time is right — and only then — will I arrange a visit.”

With that, he rose to his feet and strode toward the exit.

Rudolf shot to his feet, his voice shaking with barely suppressed fury. “What the hell are you playing at? What are you hiding? We’re her parents — we just want to see our daughter. Why are you stonewalling us unless you’ve got something to hide?”

Eaton’s stride hitched for half a second, but he didn’t turn around. “Call the police if that’s what you need to do. I’m still not letting you see her. Someday you’ll understand why I made this choice.”

Without another word, he walked out and didn’t look back.

Marley’s fingers dug into Rudolf’s arm. “Rudolf, what do we do? Was Gracie right all along? Has Eaton actually imprisoned his sister?”

Rudolf’s face darkened with dread.

Ever since Gracie’s visit, Rudolf and Marley had been demanding to see Jessie.

Every single time, Eaton refused.

𝗪𝗵а𝘵 𝘦𝘃𝗲𝘳𝘆𝗼𝗇e 𝗶𝘀 r𝖾𝗮𝖽𝗂𝗇g 𝗼𝗻 𝘨a𝘭𝗻𝘰𝗏𝘦𝘭𝘀.со𝗆

Their worst nightmare appeared to be unfolding right before their eyes.

Rudolf’s eyes darkened. “He’s lost his mind to imprison his own sister. I’ll hire investigators immediately. At least we can be certain he won’t hurt her — not while she’s still useful to him.”

Back at the hospital, Gracie sank back against the sofa cushions, exhaustion finally dragging her under into restless sleep.

In her dream, a man stood over a body on a cot. He raised a blue vial and plunged it in.

“Be reborn!”

A deep, resonant voice echoed through the darkness.

Gracie jerked awake with a gasp, cold sweat beading across her forehead.

Reality crashed back around her, and she pressed a trembling hand to her racing heart.

“I guess you really do dream about what you worry about during the day… The more desperately I want to avoid something, the more vividly my mind conjures it…”

She’d worked through the entire night at Radiant Technologies before coming straight to the hospital at dawn, only to collapse into unconsciousness on this uncomfortable sofa.

The door swung open, admitting a doctor and nurse. “We’re prepping for the first skin graft surgery. We’ll be taking him in shortly.” The doctor’s tone remained professionally neutral.

Gracie nodded, her throat tight. “When will my husband regain consciousness?”

“We’ve successfully cleared the smoke particles from his lungs and bloodstream. Barring complications, he should wake up after the procedure.” The doctor’s expression softened slightly.

Gracie stood motionless as orderlies wheeled Brayden’s gurney from the room. She massaged her temples, exhaustion etched into every line of her face.

Though Brayden remained in intensive care, his vital signs had shown steady improvement. The doctors had declared him out of immediate danger just last night.

Charlie appeared in the doorway. “Madam, please — go home and get some real sleep.”

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