?Chapter 1069:


    Those words made Linsey’s blood run cold, though she quickly masked her shock.


    Four years ago, at that college reunion, Linsey had sensed something troubling Shari beneath her forced smiles. The pieces finally clicked into ce. Shari had married an absolutely terrible man. One look at her battered appearance told the whole story. Years of domestic violence had left their cruel marks across her fragile frame.


    Linsey kept her voice steady, not wanting to embarrass her friend further. “No matter who he is to you, the moment he raises a hand against you, just give me the slightest signal. I’ll move heaven and earth to help you. I will do everything I can to assist you.”


    She reached out and squeezed Shari’s trembling hand. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”


    Collin rushed through the hospital corridors, finally locating Linsey in a private room with Shari.


    “Linsey, these are just scratches and bruises. There’s really no need for hospitalization,” Shari said.


    The moment she had been wheeled into this pristine private room, Shari had feltpletely out of ce and overwhelmed. Years of hardship had taught her to endure pain silently, rarely bothering with medication even when fever burned through her body. Hospital visits had only be frequentst year because of her daughter’s deteriorating condition.


    Linsey’s voice carried both authority and genuine concern. “The doctor confirmed you’re severely weakened. Not only are you malnourished, but your anemia levels are dangerously low. Rest isn’t optional anymore.”


    Her expression softened slightly. “We’re still waiting on theprehensive test results, so please just focus on recovering for now.”


    Shari shifted ufortably, words caught in her throat. Elva Sanchez, her daughter, was still waiting alone in that cramped staff dormitory behind the restaurant. She couldn’t keep Elva waiting for too long.


    Still, mentioning Elva now felt wrong. Thest thing she wanted was to burden Linsey with yet another problem.


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    The door suddenly burst open with a sharp bang. Collin stormed into the room, panic written across his flushed face. “Linsey!”


    His voice cut through the quiet room, drawing Linsey’s attention instantly. She rose from her chair, surprise flickering across her features as she instinctively stepped toward him. “How did you arrive so quickly?” Her message had been sent barely ten minutes ago. Even with his driving, the journey should have taken at least half an hour.


    Collin closed the distance between them in swift strides, his hands finding her shoulders as his intense gaze swept over every inch of her. “Are you injured anywhere?” His voice carried barely controlled worry. “Feeling pain or difort? Did a doctor examine you thoroughly? What did they say?”


    His frantic concern brought a softugh bubbling from her lips. “I’mpletely fine, truly!”


    She immediately stepped back and spread her arms wide, spinning in a slow circle to prove her point. “Look, not even a scratch on me.” A mischievous glint sparked in her eyes. “I even managed to take down some aggressive thug who thought he could attack us!”


    Rather than easing his tension, her words only deepened the furrow between his brows. “Tell me exactly what happened.” Her text message had only contained the bare essentials, leaving him with more questions than answers.


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