The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1173

Chapter 1173

“Would you like a glass of water? You've slept for so long. You must be parched.” Clark pecked her cheek and rose to pour her a drink, intending to help her sit up.

Carol kept her gaze fixed on the snowflakes outside the window, her voice cooling as she spoke, "Clark, there's something I need to tell you."

She didn't call him darling or even look at him.

Her tone was even somewhat chilly.

A sinking feeling washed over Clark as a sense of foreboding bubbled up.

“Carol, do you know how you woke up? It was Bella and her talented Grandpa Beck who concocted the vital antidote, which you took in time. By the way, I haven't told Bella yet that you've woken up. She'd be thrilled. I should tell her right now."

Clark hastily retrieved his cellphone, but in his haste, it slipped from his hands and clattered to the floor.

As he bent down to pick it up, a hint of sourness tinged his nostrils, “Do you have any idea how critical your condition was? You stopped breathing for a whole 30 seconds during treatment. It scared the hell out of me."

Carol finally tore her gaze from the window and settled it on him.

Clark forced a smile, "Bella said that as long as you woke up, the rest of the treatment wouldn't be a big issue.

You can finally break free from your past life."

Could she really break free?

With her status, it was destined to be a lifelong burden.

Just as Carol was about to speak, Clark cut her off, "I need to text Bella first. This is undoubtedly fantastic news, a significant breakthrough in her research."

Not even if it killed him.

Clark asked the doctor, who said she could have some light gruel. Just then, Arabella texted back that she'd be at the hospital in a while. Clark quickly asked, [Can Carol have some gruel?] Arabella replied in four words: [Yes, in small amounts.] With his sister's assurance, Clark purchased some food from the hospital cafeteria and hurried back to the ward, only to realize that Carol was gone.

The breakfast he held dropped to the floor, the hot gruel splashing onto his ankle and dirtying his pants. But he didn't notice, standing stunned for a moment before rushing to check the ensuite bathroom.

"Carol?"

She was not in the bathroom, not in the ward, he even checked under the bed and tossed the curtains.

No one was there.

All that was left on the bed was a pillow and a drawn back blanket.