The Diary of Evergreen Evelyn

_Special chapter 4_

As the weight of the conversation lingered, Sam gathered the strength to stand up. Determined to confront the unknown, he made his way to his sister Eve's cabin, the hushed hospital corridor bearing witness to his silent resolve.

Within Eve's room, a sterile environment surrounded her unconscious form. Sam, Ed, and Dan entered, each step echoing in the quiet room. Eve lay motionless on the hospital bed, a silent testament to the challenges that lay ahead. Sam's face, etched with worry, became a canvas for the myriad emotions he grappled with.

Dan, the bearer of updates, informed Liam about the situation. Liam, torn between wanting to be there and following Ed's request, stayed back to look after Evan.

As Sam stood by Eve's bedside, the beeping of medical equipment served as a dissonant backdrop to the family's collective worry. Eve, unconscious for almost six hours, remained oblivious to the turmoil that unfolded around her.

Ed, recognizing the need for patience, spoke softly. "Sam, let's wait for her to regain consciousness. We need to know the full story before jumping to conclusions." Dan nodded in agreement, emphasizing the importance of understanding the events leading up to this moment.

As they waited by Eve's bedside, the room enveloped in an uneasy silence, Sam's mind raced with thoughts of what might have transpired. The hospital's clinical ambiance contrasted sharply with the emotional storm brewing within the family.

Outside the room, the hospital corridor seemed to stretch endlessly, a metaphor for the uncertainties that loomed ahead. The shared glances between Sam, Ed, and Dan spoke volumes, each understanding the complexity of the situation.

Inside Eve's cabin, time seemed to move at a different pace. The beeping of monitors and the distant hum of hospital activity created a surreal backdrop. Sam, Ed, and Dan, bound by familial ties, faced the challenge together, their unity tested by the trials of grief and the unknown.

Sam took a deep breath, the weight of responsibility evident in his expression. "Ed, Dan, both of you stay here. If Cece or Eve come back to their senses, let me know about it. I will go home, and I need a moment with Evan."

Dan pleaded, "Sam, please, it's not the right time. We need you here."

Ignoring their pleas, Sam sternly stated, "Don't stop me."

As Sam turned to leave, Ed stepped forward and said, "Stay here. Let me do that on your behalf. Your presence is needed if Cece wants to see you."

Ed left the cabin with determination to uncover the truth. He swiftly made his way home, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending confrontation.

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Ed, now tasked with the responsibility of uncovering the truth, exited the hospital with a determined stride. Instructing the driver to take him home, he contemplated the series of events that had unfolded that night. The concern for his family weighed heavily on his mind as they reached their residence.

Entering the home, Ed wasted no time. With one decisive call, he summoned all the household members, including Liam, Evan, and the guards, to the living room. The atmosphere was tense, an unspoken acknowledgment that something serious was about to be revealed.

As everyone gathered, their faces reflecting a mix of curiosity and anxiety, Ed took center stage. "Sit down, everyone. We need to have a serious discussion." The gravity in his voice demanded attention, and each member found their place, awaiting the revelations that would follow.

"Tonight has been a night of unexpected events," Ed began. "Cece and Eve went out and met with an accident. Sam is at the hospital dealing with the aftermath of a tragic incident." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle in the room.

Liam, already aware of the situation as Dan had informed him, asked, "Is everyone okay?"

Ed continued, "Eve is unconscious, and Cece and Sam lost their baby. Cece is in critical condition. We are waiting for more information. But that's not the only issue at hand. Sam suspects that this might not be a mere accident."

In the dimly lit room, tension hung thick as Ed sternly addressed the guards, demanding an explanation for the blatant breach of security protocols that led to Cece and Eve's unauthorized departure.

"First off," Ed began, his voice laced with frustration, "we gave strict orders that Eve and Evan would not go out without written permission from us. Cece, in particular, is not to leave without Sam by her side. So, how did they manage to leave with a car and even without a driver?"

The head guard, a tall figure with a stoic expression, stepped forward. "Sir, I didn't see any of them leaving. I was stationed there all night, and I can vouch for it."

Ed's eyes narrowed as he absorbed this information. "Are you absolutely sure? I can check the CCTV cameras, and if you're lying, your job is at stake."

"Sure, sir. I was there all night except..." The guard's voice trailed off, hesitating.

Evan, who had been nervously fidgeting in his seat, suddenly stood up. "I need to use the restroom."

Ed's stern voice cut through the room. "Do I have to remind you of something? You're not going anywhere, Evan. Sit. Right. There."

Ed redirected his attention to the head guard. "Continue. Evan, you can wait."

The head guard, now visibly anxious, explained, "Evan sir came to me in the night, claiming he heard someone at the west gate. I went to check, but it was locked."

Ed's gaze shifted to Evan, waiting for him to explain further.

"I just... I just heard..." Evan stammered, avoiding eye contact.

Ed sighed and gestured to Liam. "Liam, go to my room and bring down the whip. It's high time I start using it."

Liam reluctantly nodded and headed upstairs.

Ed dismissed everyone else in the room, leaving only Evan and the guards. "Guards, your oversight is unacceptable. Investigate thoroughly and provide a detailed report. The events of tonight have far-reaching implications, and we need to understand every aspect. Now, let's focus on finding out where Cece and Eve were headed and why they chose to go out in the first place."

As the guards left the room, Ed's mind raced with a mix of frustration and determination. Evan remained seated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Liam soon returned with the whip, a symbolic tool of discipline.

Ed's next moves would shape the course of events, unraveling the mystery behind Cece and Eve's unauthorized excursion and shedding light on the web of secrets that had entangled the family. The room echoed with the weight of unanswered questions and the impending consequences of the night's events.