Chapter 11

Albert stood at the door of Melanie's ward, his hand tightly gripping a delicate bracelet. It was something he'd bought for her earlier that day while he was out shopping with Vivienne. Though Melanie always said she didn't need compensation, he'd still felt compelled to buy it for her. Perhaps it was guilt, or maybe something else. He couldn't quite explain it himself. Albert gently pushed the door open and whispered, "Melanie?" The room was empty. The white bed linens were neatly folded, and the bedside table was spotless. Even her usual cup was nowhere to be seen. Albert froze for a moment. A sense of unease crept up inside him. Frowning, he muttered to himself, "Did she go for a checkup?" He stepped out of the ward and grabbed a nurse passing by. His voice was tinged with urgency as he asked, "Where did the patient in this room go?" The nurse looked at him in surprise. "Mrs. Palmer requested to be discharged this morning, Mr. Palmer. Didn't you know?" Albert's mind buzzed,