Inside Caleb’s ward, Sophia glanced at Stephen. “Have you eaten yet?”

Stephen shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”

“You need to eat even if you’re not hungry. You’re hurt too. How are you going to heal without food?”

As she spoke, Sophia called Stephen’s assistant, Samson. “Bring Stephen some lunch.”

“Yes, Mrs. Jacobson,” Samson replied.

He had come with Stephen to the hospital yesterday when Tessa got hurt. Since then, he’d also found out about Caleb’s poisoning and hospitalization, so Sophia didn’t need to say where to deliver it-he already knew.

“Your grandfather’s coming back to Rivertown tomorrow afternoon,” Sophia said to Stephen.

Stephen gave a quiet hum.

Caleb regained consciousness, but he looked like a shell of his former self-gaunt and hollow-cheeked, with sunken eyes and lips tinged a faint bluish-black.

Sophia looked at him and let out a silent sigh.

Just last night, they had been arguing. And now, he was at death’s door. Life could be so unpredictable.

That thought made her feel an unexpected wave of sorrow.

Even if they’d never had a good relationship, they had still been together for nearly 30 years. Maybe there was no love between them, but he was undeniably her family.

Caleb didn’t know that after hearing the doctor explain his condition, Sophia had been unable to sleep all night. She’d laid in bed alone, quietly wiping the tears from her eyes.

That was how feelings worked. They were complicated, if nothing else.

Even if there had never been love, when someone you’d spent three decades of your life with was suddenly dying, you’d have tobe made of stone not to feel anything.

Sophia looked at Caleb. “Have you eaten?”

Caleb already knew the truth. The doctors said he didn’t have much time left. He had a month at most.

He spoke weakly. “Look at me. What’s the point of eating? I’m dying anyway. Sooner or later, I’ll face the same ending.”

Sophia didn’t respond.

Stephen added, “I brought him food earlier. He didn’t touch a single bite.”

“Try to eat a little,” Sophia finally said after a long silence. It was all she could manage.

Caleb looked at her for a moment. Then, he gave a bitter smile unexpectedly. “I’m dying. Are you happy now?”

The moment those words came out,

Chia snapped, “Caleb!” Her voice , high-pitched with e

not as cruel as you think I am!”

Caleb looked at her and said nothing.

Watching his parents like this, Stephen felt a heavy ache in his He let out a deep sigh,

ned,

Cwalked out of the room, giving

and

them some space alone.

Meanwhile, the police had searched both the Jacobson residence and Jacqueline’s private residence.

They had found some suspicious items.