Julie repeated those words over and over. She wasn't just saying them for Susie, she was saying them for herself. Rosie quickly chimed in, her voice gentle yet firm. "That's right, Susie. You're still young, and your body heals fast. You'll recover before you know it! Don't worry too much. If we take good care of ourselves, we can make up for this." Hearing this, Raelynn hurriedly wiped away her tears. Right now, she needed to uplift Susie, not burden her further. She quickly added, "Yes, Susie, don't be afraid. I'm here. I'll take care of you, no matter what." But as she spoke, her voice caught, and she couldn't stop herself from choking up. She had been right there when Susie got hurt. Yet she hadn't stepped forward to protect her. Instead, her three daughters had shielded her, afraid that she would be the one injured. Shame and regret twisted inside Raelynn. Hearing their comforting words, Susie's eyelashes fluttered, and her gaze finally shifted. She turned to look at them. Her lips, parched and cracked, parted with difficulty. "Mom, Julie, Rosie, will I really get better?" The moment she spoke, a wave of relief surged through the room. Julie was the first to react. She nodded emphatically. "Yes, Susie, we will get better! As long as we take care of ourselves, we'll be okay!" Hearing Julie's unwavering reassurance, a faint light returned to Susie's eyes. She struggled to whisper, "Julie, you wouldn't lie to me, would you?" That question nearly shattered Julie. Her throat tightened, but she forced down her emotions and nodded resolutely. "Susie, sweetheart, have I ever lied to you?" Susie's lips curled into a weak smile as she nodded. "Okay, I'll be good. I'll take care of myself." Watching her force out that fragile smile, Julie couldn't hold back anymore. She turned away abruptly, her voice hoarse. "Get some rest. I... I need to go to the restroom." With that, she practically bolted from the room. The moment the hospital room door shut behind her, she lost control. Tears spilled down her cheeks in an unstoppable flood. She hurried down the hallway, desperate to escape, afraid Susie would hear her sobbing. At the empty stairwell landing, Julie collapsed into silent, gut-wrenching cries. She had failed as an older sister. She had failed to protect Susie, her little sister was so delicate and vulnerable. I should've never let them go after that luggage. Was it even worth it? How could I let them take such a reckless risk over something so insignificant? Guilt, shame, and regret crashed over her like a relentless tide. Just as she was sobbing uncontrollably, a crisp white tissue appeared in front of her. Julie froze, then looked up. Through a haze of tears, she made out a familiar face. He was serene and warm, exuding a quiet grace. His eyes brimmed with unspoken concern, offering a silent reassurance. Julie couldn't hold back anymore. She threw herself into Stephen's arms. A flicker of emotion crossed Stephen's face. After a brief hesitation, he finally raised a hand and gently patted her back. Did I go too far back then? When they returned to the hospital room, Susie had already fallen asleep. Raelynn looked more weary than ever, the exhaustion carving deeper lines into her face. Rosie sat in silence, her expression composed, but there was a new depth to her, an unspoken maturity that hadn't been there before. And as for Julie and Stephen, Raelynn could tell something had shifted between them. They had grown closer. She instinctively wanted to say something but hesitated. Forget it. Maybe... maybe he isn't like Dad after all. ...After spending a few days at the estate, Arthur and Ashley returned to South City together. The estate was vast and grand, but no matter how luxurious it was, their small home in South City felt cozier. So as soon as they wrapped up their affairs in Seacity, they packed up and left. The moment Stanley heard Arthur was coming back, he rushed to the airport and waited at the arrivals gate. As soon as he spotted them, he straightened up and called out with exaggerated formality, "Good evening, Mr. Gray! Good evening, Mrs. Gray!" "Pfft..." Stanley's mock-seriousness had Ashley bursting into laughter. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink. Even after all this time together, hearing the formal title still made her a little flustered. She had only recently gotten engaged, and the title of Arthur's fiancée still felt unfamiliar to her. Arthur shot Stanley an exasperated look and gave him a light punch on the shoulder. "You got nothing better to do?" His words sounded annoyed, but the smile tugging at his lips told a different story. It was obvious that he liked the title. Stanley grinned, quickly taking their luggage and leading them to the car. As they drove, he let out a dramatic sigh. "Man, I can't believe I missed your engagement party. I've been regretting it ever since. But when you two get married, I'm definitely showing up!" He had planned to attend, but the Gray Corporation acquisition had kept him tied up. Arthur had told him not to worry about it. Arthur chuckled. "Alright. Next time, you're definitely invited."