After all that effort, he still didn't have the courage. Not until Ashley held his other hand did Arthur feel some warmth through his cold fingers. The white sheet was slowly lifted, revealing John's dry face. Compared to the John they once knew, he was now so gaunt he was barely recognizable beyond the familiar outline of his features. John lay peacefully on the hospital bed. The blood at the corner of his mouth had been wiped clean. If one ignored the unnaturally pale complexion, it would have looked like he was simply asleep. But Arthur knew he wasn't just asleep. Arthur's throat felt dry. He opened his mouth, but he couldn't speak. The doctor let out a sigh. Working in a hospital, he had seen countless partings between life and death. Some people collapsed in tears, others remained heartbreakingly silent. Some forced a smile in front of family and friends and busied themselves with funeral arrangements. It was only in the dead of night, when they were alone, that they finally broke down. If only people would treasure their families while they're still alive–those they loved and those who loved them. Even just making time to be with them. Because no one knew whether tomorrow or tragedy would arrive first. In the face of death, many things may not matter as much. Perhaps, by the time one wanted to make amends or reconnect, that person might already be gone. And that emptiness? That was truly unbearable. Hugo patted Arthur's shoulder and sighed heavily, not knowing what to say to comfort him. The doctor reported John's condition. "The deceased has multiple injuries. Evidence suggests he was violently kicked and beaten before death. Combined with prolonged starvation, many previous internal wounds festered without healing, and there was widespread organ failure." John had long been at his limit. Years of living on the streets had already wrecked his body, and the new injuries were the final straw. Arthur listened numbly to the doctor's report. He was violently beaten. His old injuries had festered without healing. He suffered so much while he was still alive. John's funeral was held in South City. South City was where John had spent his entire life. In the end, Arthur wanted him to return home. When the news of John's death reached Zac, he was completely stunned. "How could that be? How could that be?" he muttered to himself as he sat in the police station giving a statement. "How could he possibly be dead?" Thanks to some tricks by Solivair, both he and Zac were released without charges. Zac was in a daze. He didn't even know how he managed to walk out of the police station.In South City, the Gray family. After two years, Arthur, John, Zac, Raelynn, Julie, Rosie, and Susie were reunited at the Gray Residence. Only this time, John was no longer breathing. Everyone stood there in disbelief as they stared at John's peaceful form. The moment they received news of his death, they rushed back to the Gray Residence. The mansion was bought by Arthur back then, and now, at least, John had returned. But he couldn't witness this reunion. Although this family had long been torn apart, this so-called reunion was no more than a group of once-family members standing in the same room. Julie and Rosie threw themselves at John's side, staring in shock at his pale face. Their eyes were already swollen from crying the whole way back. "How could this happen? How could this happen, Dad? Dad!" they cried out. They never imagined that after just a short time apart, they would be separated by life and death. Susie stood there, frozen on the spot. She simply couldn't believe John was really gone. How is that possible? Isn't he the strongest? When we were younger, Dad loved me the most, aside from Zac. Back then, John had kicked them out of South City for Renee and Zac. Susie couldn't accept it and hated him for being so heartless. But now, after only a short time apart, he was just… gone. Tears fell one by one. The father who had once loved her so much was truly gone. Raelynn stood there in a daze. Staring at the lifeless man on the ground, she couldn't believe this was the same John she had shared decades of life with. He had always been proud, standing tall above them all; he was the pillar of their family. Back then, he had ruthlessly divorced her, driven them out of South City, and forced them into a desperate situation.