My Mirror Image

Chapter 0174

Outside the emergency room of the hospital, Candice sat on a bench, accompanied by Dean Schmidt and Silas.

Dean Schmidt noted Candice’s distant gaze and struggled to find consoling worde

When they found Joe at the motel, he had been in a state of severe convulsions.

The hospital’s doctors said his condition was critical. Joe had high blood pressure and a history of medical problems, which was why the physicians had advised him to avoid emotional stress.

Across from them, Yvonne sat alone on a chair. Her head bowed, her hands anxiously intertwined. and engrossed in her own thoughts.

Dean Schmidt let out a sigh and remarked, “Ms. Renault, you should try to stay calm. Perhaps Mr. Sundance will recover with some rest. He is a decent man, and fortune often favors the good.”

Candice appeared to be in a trance, barely hearing what he was saying.

The scene of Joe’s agonizing condition replayed in her mind. Merely sitting on that bench was. draining her of all her strength.

She hid her face in agony, overcome with a sense of powerlessness and loss unlike any she had experienced before.

Kayla’s voice sounded in the distance, snapping Candice out of her daze.

She slowly raised her head to see Kayla approaching.

“What brings you here?” Candice’s voice was rough and barely recognizable.

It was unclear whether Kayla understood her.

Exhausted, Candice didn’t have the strength to ask again. She dropped her eyes and fell silent.

At that moment, the doors to the emergency room swung open.

Candice instantly rose up and faced the doctor as he emerged into the room.

“The patient is elderly, with a background of high blood pressure and severe complications. Family members must prepare themselves mentally,” the doctor advised as he removed his mask.

Candice’s face drained of color as she stared blankly at the doctor. She asked in a hoarse voice, What’s wrong with my grandpa?”

“He has suffered a stroke due to cerebral hemorrhage, leading to hemiplegia,” the doctor explained.

The news struck Candice to the core, leaving her momentarily paralyzed.

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oxygen mask covering his face, his eyes shut. The harsh hospital lighting illuminated his wrinkled face, a sight Candice

struggled to process.

he was wheeled past her, his hand with the IV

fragile twig.

Fear overcame Candice.

Joe to his room or face his frail

more.

Joe’s bed wheel passed by Yvonne, she abruptly stood, lunging

scare me! I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have upset you.

reprimand, “Please lower your

tears, Yvonne responded in a tearful, choked voice,

midst of this, Candice’s icy voice pierced the air. “Is

Yvonne turned toward her daughter.

gaze was devoid of emotion, her tone cutting and cold.

lingered in Yvonne’s eyes, and the bruises on her face hadn’t yet healed, making her look both

sheepishly,

all your efforts, isn’t it all for the

Candice’s heart as she watched the doctor wheeling Joe’s hospital bed away. Her hand

“I can give you the money. Will you leave me alone after that? I never want to

voice was as steady as ever as she said those words. But only she understood that

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now been utterly

the turmoil in

woman feigned innocence, stating, “I shouldn’t have caused trouble at your office. I didn’t expect it to end

briefly closed her eyes, then slowly responded, “Fine,

reluctant to

gazed at her mother.

lips trembled slightly. With apparent guilt, she hesitantly asked, “When will you send the

she were a stranger, appalled by the ridiculousness

didn’t care about her, she would at least show concern for her father. Now, Candice realized they probably meant nothing to

grandfather’s disappointed and frustrated expression,

and burst

grandfather had been fooled. How had things

came Kayla’s tentative voice.

lowered her hand to look at Kayla.