Chapter 436: Chapter 436: She Is Willing to Imprison Herself, Isolated from the World

Annabelle Linton was cold and loveless, like a purple vine. She was willing to draw a line and lock herself away inside. She was afraid of being hurt—so afraid that she would rather be isolated from the world than ever try love again.

It was a lethal poppy.

Annabelle Linton called someone to clean up the mess in the apartment and waited quietly for Leona Grant to come out.

Four hours later, Leona Grant was wheeled out. The surgery had been a success, but he hadn’t woken up.

She sat in a chair, expressionless, and kept watch over him all night.

She thought about many, many things that night.

...

The next day, Leona Grant still hadn’t woken up.

Annabelle Linton stayed with him until the afternoon.

She was a doctor; she knew the extent of Leona Grant’s injuries.

’I’ve seen the report. It missed his heart by a few centimeters. Judging by his pulse, ECG, and other vitals, he’s out of danger. He’ll wake up, I just don’t know when.’

’It would be for the best if he sleeps through the engagement...’

Annabelle Linton closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her face again.

Aaron Wyatt called to ask where she was. She told him she was saying goodbye to some friends and would be back later.

At six in the evening, Annabelle Linton called the Grant family and asked them to come to the hospital.

The moment Roxanne Jennings saw Leona Grant’s condition, she stumbled back two steps.

She simply couldn’t accept that her son, who had been perfectly fine just yesterday, was now in this state.

Annabelle Linton told her the truth about what had happened.

It took Mrs. Grant a long time to compose herself. In a situation like this, a mother’s selfish love would typically lead her to blame the "culprit."

But Roxanne Jennings was a rational woman. From her past life to this one, although Roxanne’s attitude toward her had changed, Annabelle Linton had never disliked her.

Roxanne Jennings didn’t blame her. She only asked if Annabelle could give Leona one last chance.

Annabelle Linton fell silent for a moment, then said she was getting engaged tomorrow.

Mrs. Grant smiled through her tears and wished her happiness.

Annabelle Linton replied with a "thank you" and walked out the door, subconsciously avoiding a single glance at Leona Grant.

Autumn had already set in. As she walked home, a gust of wind blew past, carrying a slight chill.

It looked like it was going to rain. The streets were deserted, without a soul in sight.

Annabelle Linton walked for a long, long time, so long that the streetlights began to flicker on. But her heart remained dark, lost in a black, bewildering haze.

When she got home, a tall, slender figure was waiting for her at the door.

He was pacing back and forth under a streetlight, the anxious look on his face perfectly clear.

Annabelle Linton stood rooted to the spot, watching him.

He seemed to sense something and suddenly turned to look at her. He froze for a second, then immediately ran over.

"Annabelle, where did you go?"

Annabelle Linton stared at him blankly, her eyes rimmed with red.

She didn’t know why she was crying, but she couldn’t stop the tears, which was why her eyes were red.

"I called all of your friends, one by one, but none of them knew where you were. I tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up. You had me worried sick!"

Annabelle Linton suddenly threw her arms around him.

Aaron Wyatt stiffened for a moment. After a few seconds, he hugged her back, gently patting her back.

He stared at her for a moment, then cupped her face in his hands, his heart twisting in pain as he looked at her crimson eyes. "What’s wrong?"

Annabelle Linton said nothing.

Aaron Wyatt watched her thoughtfully for another moment. Finally, he gently blew on her eyes and said, "If you can’t bear to leave, we can stay. We can always come back to visit, too. In short, wherever you go, I’ll go. So don’t be sad."

Annabelle Linton froze for a moment before she understood what he meant.

She had lied and told him she was saying goodbye to her friends, so he thought her eyes were red from the farewells.