Chapter 392

"Bet, the mess I've made this time... the debts I owe... I'll never be able to repay them in this lifetime."

Evadne's voice broke as she buried her face in Cassius' chest, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Her brothers had seen her cry before—countless times, ever since they were children.

To the world, she was the fierce, untouchable queen of the Ashbourne family. But to them, she was just their little sister—fragile, human, and in desperate need of comfort.

But this... this was different.

The weight of this grief was crushing her. It wasn't something she could shake off easily.

On the way to the hospital, Arnold and Bet had learned the full extent of the tragedy.

Jason was severely injured, but at least he was alive.

Erica, however... when they wheeled her into the ICU, she was barely clinging to life.

Evadne had nearly collapsed, begging the doctors to save her.

Now, they could only wait and pray.

"Big bro," Arnold said quietly, "Jason's hurt pretty bad. Have you told the Dempseys yet?"

Cassius' expression darkened. "Jason made me promise not to tell them before they took him into surgery. His mother's health is fragile—if she finds out, it might push her over the edge."

"But he's going to need months to recover," Arnold pointed out. "We can't keep this from them forever."

"Then we'll tell them after the surgery," Elvis cut in firmly. "Once he's stable. It'll be easier for them to handle."

Just then, Aaron rushed down the hallway, his face pale.

"Brothers! You're all here?"

The Ashbourne brothers stood together—each a force in his own right, united in their determination to protect Evadne.

But some wounds couldn't be shielded.

How could they possibly comfort her after this?

A girl had taken a bullet meant for her.

Erica had fallen right in front of her eyes.

No one with a conscience could walk away from that unscathed.

"Aaron, weren't you supposed to be at the police station?"

Elvis' question trailed off as his gaze landed on the figure standing a few paces behind Aaron.

Thaddeus.

Silent. Unmoving. Watching.

Gordon hovered behind him, tense.

Even if Thaddeus and Evadne had reconciled, the road ahead wouldn't be easy.

The Ashbourne brothers exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable.

Evadne wiped her eyes and walked toward Thaddeus, her steps heavy.

His pulse hammered as she approached.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was rough with worry.

She didn't answer. Instead, she met his gaze and whispered, "Erica's still in surgery."

"She'll make it," he said softly. "I'll wait with you. We'll get through this together."

His fingers twitched, aching to pull her into his arms.

"Why did you come tonight?" Her lashes were damp, her voice hollow.

"Erica came to see me this afternoon. She told me about your meeting." He didn't lie. "I was worried, so I followed."

And his fears had been justified.

Evadne's entire body tensed as she remembered Erica's last words—the secret she'd whispered before the gunshot.

Should she tell Thaddeus?

Her hand drifted to her jacket pocket, where Erica's shattered phone lay hidden.

Thaddeus frowned, shrugging off his suit jacket and draping it over her shoulders.

She didn't resist. Her mind was elsewhere—consumed by guilt, by grief, by the need for answers.

"Did they catch him?" she asked numbly.

"Not yet. But he won't get far." Thaddeus' voice was steel. "Every exit out of Elmsworth is locked down. Airports, highways, trains—he'd need wings to escape. And even then, I'd shoot him out of the sky."

His jaw clenched. "Attempted murder, illegal firearms—he'll pay with his life."

Erica's bloodstained face flashed in Evadne's mind again.

She pressed her hands over her ears, squeezing her eyes shut.

Thaddeus recognized the stress response instantly. His chest ached as he pulled her close, murmuring soft reassurances.

The Ashbourne brothers watched, their expressions a mix of frustration and reluctant gratitude.

Bet took a step forward, but Cassius and Elvis stopped him.

"I know you hate him," Elvis muttered. "So do I. But if he hadn't been there tonight..."

He didn't finish the sentence.

Bet's face paled.

Elvis shoved his hands in his pockets. "They were together for three years. If anything, he's the one who got the short end of the stick back then. He doesn't owe us anything—but he still came through for her tonight."

Arnold and Aaron exchanged glances.

Even Cassius looked surprised.

Elvis had been the most furious when Thaddeus secretly married Evadne. He'd nearly stormed the Abernathy headquarters.

But when it came down to it, Elvis had his own code.

Suddenly, the ICU doors swung open.

Evadne lunged forward.

Thaddeus was right behind her.

"Doctor! How is she?" Her voice was raw with desperation.

The doctor's gloves were stained with Erica's blood.

Everyone held their breath.

"The bullet pierced vital organs. She lost too much blood." The doctor shook his head. "By the time she got here, it was already too late. I'm sorry—we did everything we could."

We did everything we could.

Evadne knew what that meant.

Her brothers bowed their heads. Bet removed his cap, his face grim.

They'd braced for the worst, but hearing it confirmed was like a knife to the heart.

Evadne couldn't accept it.

"No. No, she was strong—she wouldn't just—" She grabbed the doctor's arm, shaking him. "You have to try again!"

"Evadne, stop!" Thaddeus wrapped his arms around her, absorbing her pain. "Erica didn't suffer. But the living have to keep going. We'll get justice for her."

Erica wasn't family. She wasn't even a close friend.

But she'd died for Evadne.

The guilt was suffocating.

"It's my fault," Evadne choked out. "I killed her."

Tears streamed down her face as she dug her nails into her chest, wishing she could tear her own heart out.

Thaddeus watched her unravel, his throat tight with grief.

When Evadne woke again, she was in a hospital bed, an IV in her arm.

Arnold and Elvis were at her side.

"Elvis," she whispered.

"I'm here." He squeezed her hand.

"Before Erica died... she said there was evidence on her phone. But it's broken. Can you fix it?"

"Easy." Elvis forced a smile. "Even if it's in pieces, I'll recover the data."

Evadne nodded weakly before closing her eyes again.

Arnold leaned forward. "Evadne, what kind of evidence? Is this connected to the attack? To Erica's death?"

"Yes. But I need proof before I can explain."

Her fists clenched, nails biting into her palms.

The pain kept her sharp.

It fueled her rage.

She would have revenge.

For Jason.

For Erica.

For everyone Elspeth had hurt.

At the end of the hallway, Thaddeus stood by the window, staring into the darkness.

He'd called Jareth, who arrived as soon as he could.

Jareth had tucked Mari into bed, left Lily to watch over her, and sped to the hospital.

"Don't worry," Jareth said, lighting a cigarette before remembering where he was and stashing it away. "The cops and my guys have the city on lockdown. That bastard won't get far."

"Thanks." Thaddeus' voice was rough.

"Did you tell Mari about Erica?"

"Hell no." Jareth ran a hand through his hair. "She loved that girl. If she finds out..."

"Yeah. Keep it from her."

Thaddeus exhaled. "Gordon checked—Erica's parents are gone. Only her grandmother's left."

"Life's cruel," Jareth muttered.

"I'll have Gordon bring her to Elmsworth. Top-tier care, whatever she needs."

Jareth nodded. "Might help Evadne, knowing she's taken care of."

He studied Thaddeus. "You need to watch Evadne. Don't let her spiral. She needs someone right now."

"I know."

Thaddeus smirked faintly. "You've changed, Jareth."

"How?"

"You're almost human now."

Jareth scowled. "What the hell does that mean?"

"Before Mari, you were a ghost."

"Fuck off."