?Chapter 697:


    The room fell silent until a deep, steady voice broke through from the doorway. “I’ll take care of this.”


    His voice was deep and calming, with a steady, reassuring tone.


    Rachel turned her head toward the door, following the sound of his voice.


    A man stepped inside, his figure framed by the morning light. He wore a crisp white shirt, and the golden sunlight made him appear even more striking. His sharp features were effortlessly handsome, and he carried himself with quiet confidence. Yet, there was a warmth to him that made him seem approachable.


    Later, when Rachel reflected on this moment, she would remember An as the light that pierced through the darkness of her past, guiding her toward something new and hopeful.


    Rachel studied An carefully, then rubbed her temples, trying to remember, but nothing came to her.


    “I’m sorry, but… do we know each other?” she asked, unsure.


    “You can all leave now,” An said to the doctor and nurse.


    Once they stepped out, he moved closer and asked, “Do you mind if I sit?” Everything about him, from his words to his mannerisms, was effortlessly polite.


    Rachel felt herself rx and nodded. “Go ahead.”


    An pulled up a chair and sat, crossing his long legs with ease. His voice remained calm and steady. “Nice to meet you. I’m An Vance, a friend of Yvonne’s.”


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    he moment Rachel heard Yvonne’s name, she felt a sense of relief, but she was still confused. She knew most of Yvonne’s friends since they were so close, but An? She had never heard Yvonne mention him, and she definitely didn’t remember him.


    Noticing her confusion, An spoke up first. “You don’t recognize my name, do you? It’s alright, I’ll exin.”


    “Okay.”


    “When my grandpa was still around, he and Yvonne’s grandpa were neighbors. Yvonne and I used to y together as kids. But when my parents moved abroad, I went with them, and over time, we lost contact. Recently, my grandpa fell seriously ill, so we came back. Yvonne visited him, and that’s how we reconnected. I had no idea how much had changed for the Jimenez family—or that Yvonne had even gotten married. Time really flies.”


    As Rachel processed everything he had just said, An’s phone suddenly rang. It was Yvonne calling.


    He picked up the call and passed the phone to Rachel.


    “Rachel! An said you’re awake?” Yvonne’s voice was filled with excitement.


    “Yeah, how long was I out?”


    “Around ten days,” Yvonne replied. “Listen, there’s something important I need to tell you. When you were in critical condition, the doctors gave a warning that you might not make it. Brian… he thought you were gone. He waspletely convinced. It was An’s team that pulled you back from the brink of death. So, I decided to go along with it and kept the truth from Brian.”


    That seems like the right move,” Rachel said, expressing her approval. “I’m just happy you’re not holding a grudge,” she added with relief.


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