Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 761

Wade eventually noticed someone was looking at him. When he lifted his head and saw Janice, he stopped in his tracks.

His expression didn't change—still cool and detached, as though nothing could ruffle him.

"What are you doing here?"

Janice could tell he wasn't really concerned; the question sounded more like a polite habit than genuine interest. Even if she were the one hospitalized, Wade would probably ask the same thing out of courtesy.

Still, she felt nervous speaking to him. She pressed her lips together. "A friend of mine had surgery recently. I came to visit her."

"Well, I'm glad you're alright."

Wade gave a brief nod and was about to walk away. That was when Janice noticed the garment draped over his arm—clearly not something a man would wear.

It was a light gray knitted cardigan, soft and delicate, unmistakably feminine.

Janice stared at it for a while before asking, "Has Alicia fallen sick again?"

The word "again" made Wade frown slightly, irritation flickering across his face. He didn't bother to explain, merely humming in response.

He clearly had no intention of saying more.

Janice felt awkward, embarrassed even. But then, their conversations had always been like this.

They had known each other for more than ten years. Since childhood, Janice had been told that she and Wade were engaged.

The Swanson family lived in Eldoria, while the Garner family was based in Humberston. The elders were close friends, and the engagement between Wade and Janice had seemed like the most natural arrangement in the world.

Growing up hearing about it, Janice always knew she would marry Wade one day.

Over time, she began to believe there was something special between them. Her heart would race whenever she saw him, and those feelings slowly turned into affection. She had liked Wade for as long as she could remember.

But Wade rarely came to Eldoria, and he seldom kept in touch.

This encounter had been pure coincidence, but even after all this time apart, Wade showed no wish to catch up. He only seemed worried about getting back to Alicia.

Janice lowered her head, staring at her shoes. She knew she had no right to feel resentful toward someone sick—a girl Wade considered his younger sister. But she couldn't stop feeling dejected.

After a moment, she lightly patted her cheeks.

"What are you thinking, Janice? The wedding's happening soon anyway," she murmured to herself before heading off to get some coffee.

…

Three days had passed since Ariel's surgery. Her vitals were slowly improving, but she had yet to regain consciousness.

Samson had received word from Shane about what happened at Bluum Corp's headquarters that day. After sending his men to look into it, he learned that Ariel was in the hospital.

He was furious. Ariel had once again ruined another golden opportunity for them.