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Chapter 5 Homecoming

Sylvia gritted her teeth in sheer frustration. Nothing she suggested was good enough apparently. “Then what the hell do you want from me?” she bit out. “You drive!” Cyril barked as he gently lifted Karina and made for the door at top speed. Sylvia stood frozen for a moment before his mother shoved her from behind. “What are you still standing around for? If anything happens, I’d like to see you explain yourself!” she hissed spitefully. “It’s just awful luck whenever you’re involved.” Studying her sour expression, Sylvia deduced his dear mother didn’t actually care much for Karina at all to be cursing her misfortune right now. Why else make such tactless remarks when the woman was injured? Morbidly curious to see how this drama would unfold, Sylvia snatched up the car keys and slid into the driver’s seat. En route to the hospital, Cyril was on the phone arranging for the best doctors to prioritize Karina’s care. Sylvia had to bite back an incredulous laugh. Such VIP treatment for that tiny wound? If they had arrived any later, it would likely have healed on its own already. But she held her sarcastic comments and soon pulled up at the hospital. Clearly forewarned, medical staff immediately swarmed their vehicle with a stretcher to whisk Karina straight into emergency surgery as if her life hung by a thread. Seeing them steer towards the operating rooms made Sylvia raise a brow. My my, they were certainly going all out with the theatrics! In under two hours, Karina emerged…with the doctor looking rather awkward. Fretting only over her condition, Cyril didn’t notice his odd expression at all. “How is she, doctor? Will she fully recover?” The doctor’s eye twitched slightly but he maintained a professional bedside manner. “The wounds were not actually that grievous. I believe you panicked unnecessarily. We have stitched up the gashes and are running scans for possible concussion. The results will be out within three hours so please be patient. As a precaution, she should remain under observation for now.” Sylvia had to smother her snort of dark amusement. Just as she expected. If they had brought Karina in even later, her scratch likely would have already closed up on its own. Clearly the medical staff also had no idea how to face Cyril with such a minor injury after two hours of emergency surgery. So they deliberately dragged out the procedure instead. Profoundly relieved, Cyril hurried after Karina’s stretcher towards the ward without so much as a glance back at Sylvia. Though she couldn’t deny the jagged pain from being disregarded by the man she had loved for years, Sylvia remained silent as she watched them leave. Her grief threatened to overwhelm her. Just then her phone rang, the caller ID making her breath catch in turmoil. The call eventually went to voicemail as Sylvia struggled internally on whether to answer it. When it immediately rang again, she took a deep breath and picked up. “Big brother…” she whispered hoarsely. “It’s time for you to come home,” his long unheard voice echoed firmly. At the sound of her beloved brother reaching out after three bitter years of estrangement from her family, tears flooded Sylvia’s eyes. She had assumed that divide could never be bridged. But blood bonds ran deeper than anything else in this world. Hearing her brother’s voice left Sylvia choking back emotions. “Okay…” she managed tremulously. … Cyril kept vigil outside Karina’s room until she finally stirred awake. The first thing Karina did was ask about Sylvia’s whereabouts. “This clearly had nothing to do with Sylvia. Please talk to her properly? I swear she wasn’t involved.” Cyril bristled in annoyance. “Even now you’re still defending her? What nonsense has she filled your head with? If she’s really innocent, why did she run off right after your accident?” His temper worsened when Sylvia was reported to have already left the premises while he was preoccupied with Karina’s injuries. More damning scandal surrounding Karina popped up on his phone then. The relentless media leaks seemed aimed at destroying her hard won career. There was no way Cyril could stand by and let that happen. In his mind, the culprit behind Karina’s downfall could only be Sylvia. But now he had no idea where to even find her. Karina gazed beseechingly at Cyril. “I still believe Sylvia had nothing to do with this. But even if she was responsible, I’m willing to forgive her. This is really all because of me – if I had kept my distance from you, none of this would have happened. We’re both women after all. It’s only natural she would be unhappy to see me appearing in your life again.” Cyril shook his head obstinately. “Stop making excuses for her. She’s clearly in the wrong here.” He refused to listen to anything that might absolve Sylvia of guilt in his eyes. Karina opened her mouth but said nothing more, secretly delighted at this outcome. Seeing her downcast expression, Cyril gentled his voice. “Just focus on resting for now. The doctor wants you under observation for any potential complications. I’ll handle everything else so don’t you worry. I definitely won’t let your career take this kind of hit.” Karina’s eyes lit up at his reassurance, mingled with unmistakable love. But Cyril looked away, unable to directly meet her gaze. Some matters were better left unspoken. Murmuring some excuse about urgent business, he quickly took his leave. The moment he was gone, Karina’s facade of weakness vanished, replaced by a vicious glint. Thinking of those online scandals, fury simmered within her. If Cyril ever discovered her involvement, she would be finished. Her only recourse was to find some way to clear her own name from this mess.