Chapter 656

"Don't turn around..." The hoarse voice behind Madeleine trembled as a weak grip stopped her hand before she could flick on the light. "Leave the light off." She froze—every muscle stiff like stone. For a long moment, she couldn't move, couldn't even breathe properly. But that voice… altered as it was, she knew instantly. It was him. Sure enough, only Alex could push him to show up. Her eyes burned, her chest tightened. She was paralyzed—not from fear, but from the sudden jolt of too many emotions crashing in all at once. She couldn't move, even if she tried. She felt him lean against her, breath shallow, arms trembling around her tentatively. His body was so weak it felt like he'd collapse at any second. She didn't dare look back. If she turned around, it might just vanish like a dream. There was this thick, strange scent on him—part sterile, part medicinal. Strong. Overwhelming. Tears gathered and spilled over before she could stop them. Shaking, she sobbed quietly, refusing to turn