Watching this touching scene, Holden felt a wave of emotions, his eyes reddening.

After a moment, he composed himself, his gaze fixed on Ariana as he whispered in his heart, “Wake up soon.

Our daughter is back.

Are you willing to really leave our children behind?”

On the noon of the second day, Ariana was teetering on the brink of death once more.

Mitchel and the others fought tooth and nail to wrest her from the clutches of the Grim Reaper, but her frail body was too weak to endure the seventy-two hours.

“You need to brace yourself for the worst.

” This was the second time Mitchel had uttered such words to Holden.

Clenching his jaw, Holden replied in a rasping voice, “I’m only ready for her to come back to life, Mitchel.

”

The message was clear.

He refused to accept the harsh reality of Ariana’s possible death and implored Mitchel to exhaust every possible avenue to save her.

Even without Holden’s plea, Mitchel was determined to do the same.

He turned away silently, stripping off his bloodstained clothes, and hurried to the lab to concoct an antidote.

In the ward.

Following Holden’s instructions, Devin had already taken Melon and Adele away from the hospital to shield the children from the heartache, leaving only Holden and Ariana in the room.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

During this period, Shawn had visited once, Lunch box in hand.

“Mr.

Fredrick, you haven’t slept for days and haven’t eaten a thing.

You’ll collapse soon if this continues.

”

“I have no appetite.

” Holden, gripping Ariana’s hand tightly, had spoken without lifting his head.

Shawn, still concerned, had wanted to continue persuading Holden, but Holden had driven him out of the ward.

Shawn had left eventually.

The afternoon sun filtered through the slightly open window.

Holden, exhausted, rested his head against the bed’s edge, never letting go of Ariana’s hand.

Moments after Holden dozed off, Ariana’s hand connected to the sensor twitched.

Ariana’s eyes fluttered open, her consciousness returning.

She gazed blankly at the white ceiling.

Before she could speak or turn her head, a wave of pain hit her.

Her face contorted, veins bulging on her forehead.

Her rapid breaths roused Holden.

“Help!” Holden quickly pressed the call button.

Fifteen minutes later, Ariana, aided by painkillers, regained some composure.

She opened her eyes, dazed, seeing Holden’s bloodshot eyes and stubbled face.

With a weak smile, she touched him with trembling fingers.

“I… Am I dreaming? It seems to be a good dream,” Ariana said with an oxygen mask on her face.

Holden ki*sed the back of her hand, tears welling up, and gently explained, “This is no dream.

We made it.

We’re back in Eleymond, safe and sound.

Don’t worry.

I’ve sent people to find the antidote, and Mitchel is working on it, too.

We won’t let anything happen to you.

You have to hang on.

”

“What about you? Are you hurt?” Ariana asked weakly, concern evident in her eyes.

“Is Adrian back, too? Is he okay?”

Holden stroked her hair and answered softly, “I’m fine, and so is Adrian.

I’ll bring him to see you when you’re feeling better.

”

“That’s a relief.

” Ariana forced a smile.

“I remember Moss injecting Adrian with some strange drug before I passed out.

I was worried about him.

”

She then asked Holden about the metal house, and he recounted everything: Moss’ plan to use her to resurrect Emilia, their harrowing escape…