The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 329

His words hung in the air, a heavy, invisible net that enveloped the room. The silence was broken only by the soft hum of the medical equipment.

Elias shifted his gaze to Victoria.

She stood like a solitary statue, her back to him, unmoving except for the slight, uncontrollable tremor in her slender shoulders.

Elias felt his own heart clench, the pain sharp and tight.

He fought the urge to pull her into his arms and comfort her. Instead, he turned and left the room.

He knew that what she needed most right now was space to process it all alone.

Just as the door clicked shut, he heard the sound of a woman's broken, suppressed sobs.

'It's a miracle he managed to walk those two miles.'

'It's unlikely he'll ever regain consciousness.'

Victoria's vision swam with tears as she pictured Grady, forcing his body to move, taking one agonizing step after another to hide.

Back then, his body must have been broken, his organs battered, his wounds bleeding and raw. Yet he had dragged that body, fueled by sheer willpower, staggering through despair for so long.

How much pain must he have felt with every single step?

Victoria bit her lip, trying to swallow the lump in her throat, but the moment she tried to speak, her voice broke with a sob.

A wave of grief crashed over her, and she could no longer stand. She collapsed over Grady's bed, her fingers clenching into tight fists as she finally let herself cry.

"Grady…"

"Grady, it's me, Victoria. Please wake up, okay? Wake up and look at me… Dad's out of prison. Our family is back together. Please wake up… Wake up, and we can go see Dad together."

***

Elias didn't go far. He smoked two cigarettes before returning to Grady's room. When he pushed open the inner door, he found Victoria asleep, slumped over the edge of the bed.

He curled his fingers, holding her cold hand. His voice was low and gentle as he soothed her:

"Victoria, it's okay. It's all over now."

After some time, Victoria's expression finally eased. Her tight brow relaxed, and her grip on his hand loosened. Her breathing became steady and even.

Elias carefully pulled his hand away, tucked hers under the blanket, and adjusted the covers. He watched her for another moment before getting up and leaving the room.

Outside, Hawk was already waiting.

He had finished arranging for Grady's room and had gone back to the emergency ward, only returning after Genevieve's surgery was over.

Seeing Elias emerge, Hawk stepped forward, ready to report on Genevieve's condition. But a flicker of movement caught his eye, and he noticed the fresh bloodstain on the gauze wrapped around Elias's right hand. He was shocked.

"Mr. Shawn, your hand…"