Chapter 16

Mabel followed the address Zach had shared with her and arrived at Southgate Military Hospital. She'd heard that Luther had gained consciousness. A myriad of inexplicable emotions surged through her. The closer she got to the hospital, the faster her heart pounded. When she knocked on the door to the hospital room, an indifferent voice rang out. "Come in." It was Luther's voice. Even before Mabel saw him again, just the sound of his familiar yet distant voice brought tears to her eyes. She regained her composure and pushed the door open. Sunlight spilled softly across the hospital bed, where Luther sat, reading the newspaper. He looked up at her and coldly asked, "Can I help you?" His aloof demeanor took her back to the past, catching her off guard. Her voice came out shakily. "Luther, it's me, Mabel. Don't you remember me?" The now-unfamiliar man on the hospital bed shook his head, then broke into an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. The doctor said there's still some bleeding in