88. Terrible news
AIDEN & CHLOE RETURN TO BROOKS MANSION--
The gates of Brooks Mansion opened slowly as Aiden drove in, Chloe humming to the last few seconds of her song.
But the moment they stepped out of the car…
the air felt different.
Heavy.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
Chloe's smile faded.
"Aiden… something feels off."
He nodded.
"Yeah. Dad's car is here. And—Kyron's SUV too."
They rushed inside.
---
Aiden pushed open the main doors—
And froze.
Chloe froze too.
Inside, Dr. Hyes stood in front of Maximilian and Adrian, holding a medical file in his trembling hands.
Kyron was standing behind Max, stiff, guarded.
Maximilian's expression?
A storm barely contained.
His jaw was tight.
His fists were clenched.
His eyes—dark, sharp, spiraling.
Adrian looked tired. Drained. Ten years older.
And Dr. Hyes…
looked defeated.
As soon as he noticed Aiden and Chloe, Dr. Hyes paused.
But Adrian nodded.
"Continue."
Dr. Hyes swallowed hard.
Dr. Hyes:
"Sir… physically, Madam Eleanor is… normal."
Maximilian's eyes twitched.
Max:
"Normal? You call that condition normal?"
The doctor immediately flinched.
Dr. Hyes:
"I mean—her vitals are stable. Organs, blood pressure, pulse… all within expected range."
Aiden frowned.
"That sounds good. So why aren't you smiling?"
Dr. Hyes looked down.
Dr. Hyes:
"Because despite everything appearing normal… her brain activity isn't increasing at all."
Chloe's heart dropped.
Chloe (softly):
"Still… no improvement?"
Dr. Hyes shook his head miserably.
Dr. Hyes:
"It has been two weeks, and yet—nothing. Not a flicker.
It's as if her consciousness is trapped… or being restrained by something we cannot detect."
Maximilian's jaw tightened so hard the muscles flexed dangerously.
The doctor's next words made everyone's blood run cold.
Dr. Hyes:
"She looks alive… but her condition resembles a corpse with a heartbeat."
Silence.
A terrifying silence.
Adrian rubbed his forehead, shoulders sagging.
Chloe felt tears sting her eyes.
Aiden looked away, clenching his jaw.
And Maximilian…
He stood completely still, eyes darkening.
Pain.
Fear.
Rage.
Helplessness.
All blending into one burning knot inside him.
Max (quiet, low):
"So what you're saying… is that you have no idea what's happening to my mother."
Dr. Hyes bowed his head deeply.
Dr. Hyes:
"I am ashamed to admit… yes.
I cannot explain it medically.
Her body wants to live, but something is not allowing her mind to return."
Chloe whispered, voice trembling.
"Then what do we do…?"
The doctor exhaled shakily.
Dr. Hyes:
"I need more time, sir.
I want to run more tests… study her brain activity in-depth.
If you allow me… I will not give up."
Maximilian didn't speak for several long seconds.
His eyes were fixed on the floor—empty yet burning.
Finally…
Max:
"…You have time.
Figure it out."
Relief washed over the doctor.
Kyron escorted him outside politely.
---
The moment the door shut behind Kyron and the doctor…
Everything snapped.
Adrian sank onto the couch with a heavy sigh.
Aiden rubbed the back of his neck anxiously.
Chloe wiped her eyes quickly.
But Maximilian…
He didn't move.
He stood there like a carved statue—breathing, but barely.
His voice was soft, deadly, trembling at the edges.
Max:
"I don't understand…"
He swallowed.
Every emotion he had kept locked in began pushing through the cracks.
Max:
"Her body is fine.
There's nothing wrong.
Then why… why won't she come back?"
His hands were shaking.
Chloe approached carefully.
"Max…"
He didn't look at her.
Max:
"I've lost enough…
I can't— I won't— lose her too."
Adrian closed his eyes painfully.
Aiden stood helpless, unable to say anything.
And Chloe gently took Max's hand.
Chloe:
"We'll find a way.
We're not giving up. None of us."
Maximilian finally blinked — the smallest sign of vulnerability in days.
But before he could respond—
Kyron entered the room again.
Kyron:
"Sir… there's something else you need to see."
Max's eyes snapped up sharply.
Aiden, Chloe, Adrian all turned.
Max (coldly):
"What now?"
Kyron hesitated.
And that hesitation alone told them whatever it was…
was bad.
---