Outside the St. Mary's Hospital outpatient wing, Emmie Stewart gazed at the remnants of the setting sun. Dark clouds swallowed the golden hues, and neither moon nor stars were visible. A cold breeze tousled her hair, and the air was thick with the smell of rain on the way.
The day had slipped away like this, and with her captivating almond-shaped eyes, Emmie nodded to both Finley Thomas and Asher Olson, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thanks, both of you, for today."
Asher watched her closely, sensing that beneath Emmie's strong exterior lay a fragile vulnerability. Why hadn't she called Finley's brother when she was in trouble, choosing instead to sit alone in the park, tending to her wounds in solitude?
"No need to thank us. Can I call you Em?" Asher asked, even surprising himself. Typically, women approached him, yet here he was, feeling unexpectedly anxious around Emmie. Yes, she was beautiful, but there was something else—an intriguing aura that drew him in.
"Sure, Em is fine," Emmie replied, her cheeks turning pink at the familiar nickname.
"You can call me Ash, like Finley does," Asher chuckled, visibly relaxing. His previous tension melted away, leaving him in high spirits.
Their easy interaction was abruptly interrupted by Finley, who wedged himself between them, speaking with a mock seriousness, "Future sister-in-law, are you already planning to cheat on my brother?"
"What are you talking about!" Emmie retorted, annoyed by Finley's self-centered antics and strange thought process.
"Hmph!" Finley shot her a cold glance before heading towards a white BMW. As he walked, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something had slipped away from him, a sense of emptiness creeping in.
Asher, far more courteous than Finley, reached out to ruffle Emmie's hair. "Don't mind Fin, he's just being his usual quirky self."
Finley was about to argue again, but he stopped himself, watching Asher's gentle gesture towards Emmie. The scene was so serene that he hesitated to disturb it, although a cold determination settled inside him.
"Ash, let's go!" Finley called out, casting a glance at Emmie. "You can find your own way home."
"That's not happening," Asher said firmly, taking Emmie's hand and guiding her towards the car. "We'll drop you off first. It's just a bit more gas."
Finley blocked their path, and Asher looked at him, surprised, feeling pinned by Finley’s steady gaze.
"It's fine. You two go ahead, Ash. I can manage."
Finley wasn't keen on driving her back to the Hamilton household, and Emmie didn't want to impose, especially since she wasn't in the state to face Kairi's father right now. He would be furious, and blaming Kairi would only provoke disbelief.
Finley pursed his lips, addressing Asher with a hint of bitterness, "Your kindness is wasted. She wants to go alone." Asher was supposed to be on his side, but now he seemed ready to fight over a woman they barely knew. Emmie seemed to attract trouble, and maybe it would be better for Asher to steer clear of her.
Asher didn't reply, his grip loosening. He walked around Finley, got into the car, and the soft fringe of his bangs shadowed his mesmerizing eyes as Emmie studied his profile, feeling slightly uneasy.
The silence was broken by a ringtone, drawing all three to Emmie's pocket. She feared it was Kairi's father, calling to demand why she hadn't come home.
Pulling out her outdated phone, she froze at the name on the screen. Her heart sank as she answered shakily, listening to the voice on the other end. Her body trembled involuntarily, the cold wind seeping into her clothes. Her eyes blinked twice, lips parted, but no words came out.
Standing closest, Finley had a clear view, unaware of who was on the line. He only noted Emmie's sudden paleness, her face turning ghostly white. Just as he considered asking her, she dropped her bag and, tears streaming, sprinted toward the inpatient building as if possessed.
"Em, what's wrong?" Asher called out, spotting her distress. Realizing something was up, he unlocked the car quickly, asking Finley for answers. Finley handed him the keys without speaking. "You drive home. I'll check on Emmie."
"I'm coming too..." Asher started, but Finley was already chasing after Emmie, leaving Asher to clutch the keys, sit back inside, and drive into the night. Thunder rumbled as rain pounded the car windows. Asher bit his lip, rubbing his temples to clear his mind.
Outside the VIP ward, Emmie clung to an elderly, gray-haired doctor, her voice tense with anxiety. "Professor Dunham, how is my mom?"
The call had been from Professor Dunham, informing her of her mother's sudden seizure. Emmie feared the worst, her whole body going numb. Even when she tripped at the entrance, she didn't feel the pain.
"Emmie, don't worry. I'll do all I can to help your mother," Professor Dunham assured her before vanishing into the ward.
Emmie watched the door close, leaning against the wall, her teeth chattering. "Nothing will happen, nothing..."
Finley observed from a short distance, his gaze steady. He'd seen her fall but hadn't reached her in time to help. He'd ridden the elevator with her, yet she'd focused solely on the changing numbers, ignoring him entirely.
Inside the ward, Emmie's mother was wheeled out, and Emmie collapsed onto the cold floor, unable to support herself any longer. Her mother lay unconscious, tubes covering her frail body, eyes shut tight as if in an eternal sleep.
