The nurse glanced around the room with uneasy eyes, then lowered her head, too afraid to speak. "Say it out loud! What's the point of keeping it from me? I'll find out anyway, the same way I found out about this ruined face of mine!" If the sedatives weren't dulling her edge, Kyla's voice would have been sharp enough to make anyone's blood freeze. Her eyes, the only part of her visible beyond the heavy bandages, bore into the nurse with a vicious glare. Startled, the nurse stammered, "That person ... it was Mrs. Bell, the one you asked about." "Daphne is gone?!" For years, Daphne had been the one who cared for her and stood by her. The weight of the news squeezed the air from Kyla's chest. "What about Preston and the others? Did they come to see her?" "They did. When they heard Mrs. Bell passed, they completely broke down. The doctor had to give them sedatives." Silence. Kyla's eyes shifted, and in a rush she swung her legs off the bed. "Ms. Kyla! Your injuries are severe. The doctor said you need to rest. You can't get up!" "How could I rest after hearing this? I have to see Daphne with my own eyes!" Ignoring the nurse's protests, Kyla slid on her slippers and limped toward Daphne's ward. ... Preston sat motionless at Daphne's bedside. The message he had sent to Ryan still lingered on his phone, silent and unanswered, like a stone that had vanished beneath dark water. A trace of bitterness flickered in his eyes. "Preston!" A familiar voice broke the silence. He lifted his head, stunned as Kyla, wrapped in bandages and limping, came into view. "Kyla? What are you doing here?"Her lips parted, and tears fell in heavy streams down her cheeks. "Preston, tell me the truth. Did Daphne really die?" Preston didn't speak. His gaze shifted to the lifeless body beneath the white sheet. Kyla trembled as she stumbled forward, collapsing at the bed, her cries ripping through the quiet. "Daphne, please, open your eyes. Don't leave me. You were the one person who cared about me in this whole world. You deserved good things for your kindness, and this should never have happened." Her sobs grew harder. "I'd rather it was me. I'd rather die myself than see you like this. Daphne, wake up. If I could trade my life for yours, I'd do it without a second thought." Preston's eyes filled as he watched her. The tears he had just forced away returned. The nurse rushed forward. "Ms. Kyla, the doctor warned that you must not get too upset. Please stand up." "Leave me alone! Don't touch me!"Kyla shoved her off, burying her face against the bed as the cries spilled from her in waves. The air in the room grew heavy with grief. The nurse looked helplessly at Preston. He wiped his eyes, pulled in a steady breath, and stepped forward. "Kyla, my mom is gone. That's the truth. If she were still here, she would never want us drowning in sorrow." "Preston ... " Kyla turned into his arms, clinging to him. Two broken hearts pressed together in their grief and loneliness. Preston tilted his head back, swallowing his tears, his hand rubbing her back in gentle circles. He did it just like when they were children. He held the tears in place. But hidden against his chest, Kyla let the faintest cold smile curve across her lips. Her face was ruined, her presence forgotten by the Jensons. She had no choice now but to cling to whatever piece she could still play. She had no time to be selective. For now ... she had to lock onto Preston, her last strand of hope. ... Tilda pushed open the door of the apartment. The smell of warm food filled the air and wrapped around her. She stepped into the kitchen, where her seniors worked in perfect sync, moving with ease around each other. Her eyes softened as she leaned against the wall, arms crossed, smiling gently. Mystro turned his head. "You're back. Wash your hands, Tilda. Dinner's almost ready." "Really ... you managed everything from my recipe list?" "Of course. Who do you think we are? Each of us is a master in the kitchen." Liam lifted the lid of a pot and carried out a platter of freshly steamed crabs."Wow, getting to eat food cooked by all three of you feels like pure luck." She looked around. "But where's Rain? Why didn't I see him?" "He wanted to help, but he's hopeless in the kitchen. Nearly blew the whole place up." Mystro laughed. "We had to send him out for a walk. He'll come back when it's time to eat." Tilda pressed a hand to her forehead. She never imagined the so-called genius assassin would be completely useless at cooking. Somehow, it suited him perfectly. ... They called Rain back for dinner.