Escaping Reality

Three days passed, then three more.

Jade Hayes slept on, her peaceful face pale and delicate. Her long lashes seemed to cradle a butterfly, as beautiful as the wings themselves.

Alexander Hayes sat quietly at her bedside, gently stroking her cheek.

Jade's breathing was shallow, as if she might awaken at any moment.

But Alexander's heart was heavy. For six days, he and Dr. Rowan Lin had tried everything, but Jade remained unconscious.

"Jade, if you keep sleeping like this, you might never wake up... Are you really going to leave me and Charlie behind, hiding in your dream world?" Alexander looked at his beloved wife, his heart aching as if cut by a knife.

"Your Majesty, Dr. Rowan Lin and his family have arrived," Peony announced as she stepped inside.

Alexander turned and looked at Peony, instructing, "Take good care of the Queen."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Peony approached and took over watching Jade Hayes.

Alexander rose to his feet. His tall frame had grown noticeably thinner, stubble shadowed his jaw, and his eyes were sunken with exhaustion.

Just as Alexander Hayes stepped out of the Queen’s private chambers, he saw Dr. Rowan Lin and his family hurrying toward him.

Margaret Evans had grown noticeably rounder since they last met, her belly now clearly showing—she looked about five or six months pregnant.

Margaret Evans was visibly anxious. Dr. Rowan Lin supported her arm while she urged, "Hurry, Rowan, help me walk faster!"

Dr. Rowan Lin could only help carefully, one on each side with Quentin Lin, unable to talk her out of her worry.

"Father, Mother, Quentin, you’re here!" Alexander Hayes hurried to greet them.

"Son-in-law, how is Jade now? Has she woken up?" Margaret Evans anxiously grabbed Alexander to ask.

Alexander’s eyes darkened as he shook his head. "No, she’s been unconscious for six days. Lin Siyu says she doesn’t want to wake up…"

"Why won’t she wake up!" Margaret cried, rushing toward the Queen’s chambers, with Alexander following close behind.

Margaret entered and saw Jade’s pale, sleeping face. Tears streamed down as she hugged her daughter, sobbing, "Jade, my precious girl, how could you change so much in just a few months? You have a husband, a son, a father, a mother, Quentin—why won’t you wake up and see us?"

Margaret wept bitterly. Dr. Rowan Lin, dusty from travel, hurried to check Jade’s pulse, but his face, like Lin Siyu’s, was grim as he shook his head at Alexander.

Even Father couldn’t help… Alexander’s last shred of hope was gone.

Months ago, after Lin Siyu confirmed that Charlie Hayes had a leg illness, she wrote to Dr. Rowan Lin, asking him to come in person.

At that time, Dr. Rowan Lin discovered Margaret Evans was pregnant. Worried about her daughter and grandson, Margaret insisted on traveling, but her pregnancy slowed them down, so they only just arrived in Chang’an.

They’d barely entered Chang’an when they heard Jade Hayes had collapsed after witnessing Charlie’s treatment, and was now unconscious.

Quentin Lin, anxious for his sister, kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed to check Jade’s pulse himself.

Though Quentin’s skills weren’t as advanced as Dr. Rowan Lin’s, he was powerless against Jade’s condition. Worried his parents would be even more upset, he secretly wiped his tears and tried to comfort Margaret: "Mom, don’t cry, or you’ll make yourself sick. Sister Jade is strong—she’s just overwhelmed for now, escaping reality. I believe she’ll wake up soon."