Unpredictable Connection

38. Torn Between Two Hearts

3rd person's POV:

Engfa sprinted through the hospital corridor, clutching Char's hand as they wheeled Freen through the double doors of the emergency ward. Becky held Freen's hand the entire way, her tears streaming without pause, her breath caught in silent sobs.

Engfa wasn't crying — not yet. But Char knew. She could feel it in the way Engfa gripped her fingers, how tightly her jaw clenched, how her eyes refused to blink.

The moment the doctors stopped them and took Freen inside, Becky collapsed onto the nearby waiting bench, burying her face in her hands.

Engfa bit down on her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood as she slowly slid down against the wall, knees to her chest, her back pressed flat against the cold surface. Her arms wrapped tightly around herself — like that was the only way she could stay in one piece.

Char's heart tugged in both directions — torn between consoling Becky and being by Engfa's side. She chose both.

With a soft sigh, she kneeled beside Engfa and took her hand gently in her own. "Engfa..."

Engfa looked up with glassy eyes, her voice barely a whisper. "What... what happened, Char?"

Char shook her head slowly, wrapping her arms around Engfa, pulling her in close. Engfa clung to her like a lifeline, her head resting against Char's chest.

Char whispered into her hair, "Shh... There must be something good in this. We just can't see it yet."

On the other side, Becky sat in silence — her body shaking as guilt clawed at her insides. She couldn't stop blaming herself. Maybe she shouldn't have told Freen anything. Maybe it was her fault those painful memories came flooding back. Maybe... that's why she fainted.

Char glanced at Becky, torn. A part of her wanted to go over, hold her, console her — but she couldn't leave Engfa like this. Freen wasn't just a cousin to Engfa—she was like a sister, someone she had protected and loved all her life. Char couldn't leave her now.

When Engfa was breaking without making a sound.

Just then, Char's phone buzzed in her pocket. She wasn't in any place to answer. She huffed, her hand still gently rubbing Engfa's back.

Engfa slowly pulled back, wiping her tears. Her voice quiet but composed. "Answer it, Char. It may be important."

Char hesitated. Her hand was still resting on Engfa's back. She couldn't help but admire how calm Engfa was trying to be, how she was still thinking clearly in the middle of everything. Taking a breath, Char finally answered the call, her voice barely a whisper.

"Irin?"

"Char? Where are you and Becky? Noey just dropped me home, and I can't find either of you. It's almost midnight," Irin's voice rang with concern.

Char clenched her jaw, trying to keep her voice steady. "Hospital," she said shortly.

Irin gasped on the other end. She turned to Noey, her eyes wide. "They're at the hospital."

Noey didn't even need to ask why. She grabbed the keys again, and the two of them rushed back into the car.

By the time they reached the hospital, the receptionist pointed them in the right direction. As they approached the waiting area, Irin and Noey saw Becky sobbing on a bench, while Char was sitting on the floor next to Engfa, holding her tightly.

Something clicked in Noey's head. Her voice was almost too soft to hear. "Where's... Freen?"

Irin didn't wait. She ran to Becky, kneeling in front of her and cupping her face with trembling hands. "Bec, what happened?"