Chapter 23

In the corridors of a luxury rehab center, two nurses slowly pushed a cart of medications. Outside, the maple trees rustled, casting dappled shadows on the floor. "It's such a shame Mr. Frey, the richest man in the city, ended up like this." The younger nurse sighed, glancing toward the VIP room at the end of the hall. The older nurse shook her head, lowering her voice. "I heard he spends all day holding a cremation urn, living in his own fantasy world, thinking his wife and sister are still alive." "But didn't the doctors say his vitals are stable? Why hasn't he woken up?" "The psychologist said it's his subconscious keeping him under," the older nurse said. "Sometimes, people would rather live in a dream…" Inside the room, a single tear slipped from Stanley's tightly shut eye. His eyelashes trembled violently, as if he were fighting a fierce internal battle. Outside, the cicadas suddenly shrieked, their cries sharp enough to make the eardrums ache. Stanley's eyes shot open. T