His Regret Arrived Three Days Late novel Chapter 40

He glanced at her, taking in her coat and purse. Without asking where she was going, he stated flatly, “I’ll take you.”

Annika started to refuse, but swallowed the words. Her father’s life hung in the balance. Since she had chosen to surrender, she had to play the part. She knew Conrad well enough; his surface warmth could mask a chilling ruthlessness, and she had no desire to challenge him openly again.

Conrad pulled the car out of the garage, and Annika got in. The vehicle sped through the city, arriving at the detention center in record time.

Conrad’s face was an all-access pass in Seafall City. The moment the guards saw him, they scrambled to usher them inside.

Soon, Marcus was brought out, supported by two officers, his steps unsteady. When he saw Conrad, his cloudy eyes suddenly brightened. “Conrad!” he exclaimed, his lips trembling with emotion.

“Dad.” Annika rushed to him, grasping his frail, thin hand as tears streamed down her face.

Conrad gently drew Annika into his side, his arm a protective barrier. He spoke to Marcus in a soft voice. “You’ll be out tomorrow. There’s some paperwork that can’t be finished tonight, so you’ll have to stay one more night.”

“That’s fine, that’s fine!” Marcus said, overjoyed. He repeated the words, his relief palpable.

To him, Conrad was a savior. Seeing his daughter and son-in-law together proved the scandalous media reports of their divorce were nothing but lies. He knew it; he’d always known the reporters were just making things up. He swelled with pride, confident in the son-in-law he had chosen.

Conrad’s presence had been the greatest comfort Marcus had felt since the Sargent Group’s troubles began.

Just as Conrad was guiding Annika away, a sudden thud echoed behind them. Annika spun around to see her father’s stooped body collapsing to the floor.

“Dad!” she cried out, breaking free from Conrad’s hold. She ignored the guards’ protests and rushed to his side.

Annika sat on a bench in the hallway, biting her lip in silence. Conrad leaned against the wall by the operating room doors, smoking one cigarette after another. The corridor was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, the silence broken only by the frantic, thudding rhythm of their own hearts.

After what felt like an eternity, the operating room doors finally swung open. A doctor emerged, pulling off his surgical mask. His expression was grim. “You should go in and say your goodbyes.”

The words hit Annika like a physical blow. The world tilted on its axis, and her body went limp, every ounce of strength draining away in an instant.

Conrad lunged forward, catching her just as she was about to collapse.

Annika’s mind cleared for a moment. The doctor’s words echoed in her ears. She looked up at Conrad, her eyes vacant, then tore herself from his grasp and ran into the operating room as if possessed.