Ines was frozen in shock. It was Hugo who reacted quickly, immediately dialing 911. At the hospital, the doctor, wearing a mask, explained, "The patient is out of immediate danger. We'll observe him for half a day. If there are no issues, he can be discharged." "Alright, thank you, Doctor." After the doctor left, Ines hurried over. "Zane, how do you feel? The doctor said it was acute gastroenteritis." Zane's face was deathly pale, his whole being fragile. But neither of the two men had any experience caring for a sick person. Ines said, "I'll call your mom to come take care of you." "Don't bother her," Zane said, shaking his head weakly."Should I call Zora then?" Zane shook his head again. Ines tentatively asked, "Should I call Darcy?" The man on the hospital bed didn't speak, but a flicker of hope lit his eyes. Ines didn't know what to say. With a sigh, he reached for Zane's phone. "I'll use yours to call." "No. She blocked me." Ines was stunned for a moment. "Fine. I'll use mine." Ines pulled out his own phone, dialed the number. After a moment, a confused "Hello?" came through. Ines immediately put it on speaker and held it near Zane. "You talk." "Darcy..." Zane's voice was hoarse, strained. However, the person on the other end hung up within a second.Ines was stunned again. Since when did she have such a temper? He stubbornly dialed again. This time, the call wouldn't connect at all. A robotic female voice repeated the message. "Damn it, she blocked me too?" Ines couldn't help cursing. "Hugo, you try," Ines said, turning to Hugo. Hugo stood by the bed, silent for a long moment. Then he said, "What's the point? Even if it connects, she won't come." He lowered his gaze to Zane on the bed. "Zane, you've broken up. If you need someone to take care of you, you should call Zora." Zane looked momentarily lost. Ines agreed with this, even though he wasn't fond of Darcy. Once a couple broke up, there was no need to bother the other person. He immediately called Zora.Half an hour later, Zora rushed to the hospital. Seeing someone was there to care for their friend, Hugo and Ines quietly left the room, giving the two space. Outside the hospital, a cold wind blew, the distant sky dotted with stars. Ines sighed, "I never thought Darcy would really go through with it. All these years, she followed Zane's lead, gave him everything he wanted. Who would have thought she'd leave just like that, without looking back." Decisive. Clean break. He had to admit, this time, he was seeing Darcy in a new light. Hugo put his hands in his pockets, his eyes darker than the night. ... With three days left until the graduate school entrance exam, Darcy was so anxious she couldn't sleep.She kept imagining what if she failed. Alistair's disappointed expression kept replaying in her mind. She knew the material. The practice problems were under control. The specialized subject content was memorized cold. Yet the anxiety clung to her like a second skin. Ione advised, "Don't push yourself so hard. You haven't left the house in a week. Go out, clear your head." Darcy took a deep breath. She knew the importance of balance. It was time for a break. Just then, she received a voice message from Gwen on WhatsApp. "Darcy! Are you free tonight?" Darcy paused. "What's up?" Gwen's voice was sweet and bubbly. "It's my birthday tonight! I'd love it if you could come! Please?" Darcy didn't consider herself that close to Gwen. But it was her birthday. She felt torn. Seeing she wasn't responding, Gwen pleaded, "Darcy, please? It won't take long. I'll have Hugo come pick you up, okay?" Hugo coming to pick me up? "No need," Darcy replied coolly. "Just send me the time and address. I'll drive myself." "Yay! Love you, Darcy!" Gwen's cheerful reply was practically audible. After receiving the details, Darcy grabbed her bag and drove out. She stopped by a mall first. Gwen had a childlike taste for cute, pretty things. Darcy picked out a gift according to her preferences. Then she set her GPS for the birthday venue. The Sterling family was wealthy and doted on the only girl in their generation. Gwen's birthday was a grand affair, taking over an entire hotel ballroom. When Darcy arrived at the hotel entrance, she immediately felt out of place.She glanced down at her casual clothes. They were completely at odds with the glamorous attire in the ballroom. Right then, Darcy decided—she'd give Gwen the gift and leave immediately. The ballroom was enormous. Darcy scanned the room but couldn't spot Gwen anywhere.