LPR 8

The engagement party, which had been lively and full of joy, suddenly turned into panic and fear. The sounds of laughter and conversation stopped abruptly when a loud cracking sound was heard. The guests spontaneously moved, some running toward the source of the noise. Their anxiety escalated when they realized it was Estelle and Wade who had just fallen down the stairs.

"Estelle!"

The panicked cries of Estelle's parents echoed. Roland and Gloria quickly ran to Estelle, who was trying to free herself from Wade's grasp.

"Oh, Estelle," Roland said as he helped Estelle. The fear was obvious on his face. "Are you okay?"

Estelle flinched, but then nodded. She managed to sit up as she endured the pain she felt in several parts of her body. "Yes, Dad. I'm okay. I—"

"Wade!"

Estelle's words were cut off by Gloria's scream. She turned to see Wade completely motionless. His eyes were closed and a thick red liquid was oozing from under his head.

The guests immediately called for help. The panic that had briefly subsided flared up again, worse this time, especially when the Pendleton family realized what was happening.

Brianna's eyes widened and she screamed hysterically. "Wade!"

The Pendleton family quickly ran to Wade, who was lying still on the floor, while the Omegas began to organize the situation. They quickly ordered the guests to move away so as not to exacerbate the situation. Most importantly, Natalie immediately contacted the hospital.

At the same time, Rocky and Norman, who were beginning to wonder why Wade had been gone for so long, also appeared. Both were equally shocked. Norman quickly approached Wade while Rocky talked to Natalie.

"Sorry, but let me handle this."

Natalie was about to protest, but something occurred to her. It seemed that Rocky had a point. She nodded in agreement.

The ambulance arrived shortly thereafter. Wade was immediately evacuated on a stretcher. His departure was accompanied by Brianna's cries. She wanted to accompany Wade to the hospital, but fate prevented her. So, she could only lament her limitations in Charles' embrace.

Charles held Brianna tightly. He suppressed the turmoil of sadness in his heart to strengthen Brianna. "You don't have to worry. Wade will be fine."

On the other hand, Estelle froze. She didn't say anything even when Lennon approached her with great panic.

"Estelle, are you okay?" Lennon held Estelle. He examined her from top to bottom. Then he hugged Estelle with unspeakable relief. "Oh, thank God, Estelle. You're not hurt. I was really worried that something bad had happened to you."

Estelle remained silent. She didn't move at all in Lennon's embrace. It was as if she couldn't react to anything that happened around her. Because all her senses seemed to have stopped working. Maybe it was because her focus wasn't on her surroundings but on Wade.

*

It was certain that Estelle couldn't close her eyes that night. Unfortunately, it wasn't the happiness of her engagement party with Lennon that kept her awake, but her mind couldn't stop thinking about Wade.

Estelle dramatically closed her eyes after changing her position for the umpteenth time. The pillow under her head was already rumpled, the blanket more and more disheveled, but she couldn't sleep for even five minutes.

Guilt overwhelmed Estelle. She cursed herself. You shouldn't have acted like this, Estelle. You should have controlled yourself. If only you hadn't been reckless, none of this would have happened.

Regret was useless. It had already happened. The only thing that mattered to Estelle now was Wade's condition. She hated Wade because of what had happened, but that didn't mean she didn't have a heart.

Estelle realized that what happened to Wade was her fault. Her out-of-control actions caused Wade to have to protect her. That is how Wade got hurt.

How is he now? Is he okay? This was Estelle's thought as she opened her eyes. She stared at the ceiling in the dim light of the bedside lamp. I hope his injury isn't too serious.

Hope continued to echo in Estelle's mind. She continued to pray until darkness finally overcame her consciousness. Finally, she fell asleep, shrouded in endless fear.

The next day, Estelle awoke in a miserable state. Her eyes were swollen with frightening dark circles. Her face was wrinkled and her hair was a mess. Then a strange realization made her frown as she looked at the door.

"Did Kiara leave?" Estelle wondered. She tilted her head to the side, even more confused. "It seems unlikely. Last night was my engagement party and she must be tired. Besides, she never goes anywhere on Sundays." The frown on her brow deepened. "So why didn't she wake me if it's already..." She glanced at the wall clock and her eyes widened in shock. "...ten o'clock?!"

Reflexively, Estelle got out of bed quickly. She grabbed a hair tie from the dresser, then left the room, looking around.

By chance, Greta was there. Estelle called to her and immediately asked, "Why is it so quiet? Where is Kiara? Where are Mom and Dad?"

In the brief moment before Greta Cook answered the question, a thought crossed Estelle's mind. Maybe Kiara hadn't woken her this morning on purpose because of the party last night. It seemed that her family had agreed to let her rest more.

It sounded reasonable. Estelle was indeed tired, not to mention the unexpected accident that had happened to Wade.

"They all went to the hospital, miss."

Estelle was stunned. "To the hospital?"

"Yes, to see Mr. Wade," Greta replied, making Estelle even more surprised. She waited a moment before asking again, "Would you like some breakfast now, Miss? What would you like for breakfast?"

Estelle swallowed hard. It seemed inappropriate to have breakfast at ten in the morning. She shook her head. Besides, she wasn't hungry at all. In fact, her stomach felt numb. She was worried and decided to return to her room immediately. All she could do now was wait for her family to return, especially Kiara. She had to know Wade's condition.

Estelle's family returned about ten minutes before the clock struck one in the afternoon. Estelle waited for a moment and then went to Kiara's room. She entered just as Kiara was about to close the door.

Kiara's eyes widened. She seemed startled by Estelle's sudden presence. "Oh, God, Estelle. What are you doing? You scared me."

Estelle didn't answer, instead she took over and closed the door. Then she pulled Kiara onto the sofa. She asked quickly, "How is Wade? He's okay, right? He didn't suffer from amnesia, did he?"

Kiara chuckled, then shook her head briefly. "We don't live in a opera script, so you don't have to worry. Wade is fine, he didn't suffer from amnesia, he just needs to rest for a few days."

"Oh, God. Thank God," Estelle said immediately. Relief surged through her chest and the anxiety that had been weighing on her shoulders instantly disappeared. "I'm really relieved to hear that."

"Um." Kiara briefly cleared her throat. With narrowed eyes, she observed Estelle's behavior, which seemed a bit strange. "It looks like you're really worried about Wade's condition."

Estelle groaned with a desperate look on her face. "Of course I'm very concerned about Wade's condition. You saw him last night; he was injured trying to save me. His head was bleeding badly from saving me."

Kiara burst out laughing. Estelle glared at her.

"How can you laugh, Kiara? Oh, my God! You can laugh because you're not in my position."

Kiara stopped laughing with great effort. Tears of amusement welled up in her eyes. "I don't want to belittle your concern, Estelle, but you really don't have to be so worried. Such an accident won't have any significant effect on him." She took a deep breath. "You haven't forgotten, have you? Well, you were only eleven years old when Wade had to fight the Warriors and Alberto before he was crowned Alpha." Then she pressed her lips together with an uncomfortable expression. "Although he didn't stay Alpha for long."

Kiara's words silenced Estelle. She remained silent, vague memories swirling in her head. The once blurry old memories now became vividly clear, leaving her stunned. Back then, she had clearly supported Wade because of the close relationship between their families.

Estelle took a deep breath. "You're right, Kiara. Worrying about Wade seems pointless."

Kiara agreed, nodding several times, but she added, "But if you still feel uneasy, I think you might be feeling guilty." She saw Estelle looking at her with a helpless expression. "Maybe it would be good for you to go see him. You don't have to stay long, just to make sure he's okay. I don't think it would cause any problems. Besides, everyone knows that we're visiting Wade because he saved you. They will understand."

"You're right, Kiara. I do feel guilty, and the only way to get rid of that feeling is to see him in person." Estelle thought quickly, trying to find the right time. "Maybe I'll visit him tomorrow or the next day. Can you come with me?"

Kiara paused. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can, Estelle. I have an important meeting that I can't miss. So, it looks like you'll have to go alone." Her eyes widened, then she nodded quickly. "You'd better go with Mom or Dad, or go by yourself, but definitely don't go with Alpha Lennon. I think that would be very unwise."

On the contrary, Estelle thought that taking Lennon would be the right thing to do. Besides, Lennon might want to thank Wade for saving her.

"For your information, Estelle. Since last night until we got home, no one from the Palace has visited Wade. So..."

Kiara didn't finish her sentence and Estelle didn't need to. Kiara's explanation was an indirect answer for her. She took a long breath.

"It seems that I really have to visit him alone."

The day after tomorrow, to be exact. Estelle decided to waste no time. She had some free time before the lunch break at the office. She used this opportunity to visit Wade.

Estelle took a deep breath and stepped on the gas. The car pulled smoothly out of the Montague Companies, Inc. parking lot.

The trip to the hospital was smooth. Estelle encountered no traffic jams at all. She was so lost in her calm state that she was unaware of her surroundings. So, when she arrived at the hospital and got out of the car, she didn't notice that a camera was snapping pictures of her.

*