Chapter 1568

His father's tragic passing. His mother's genetic condition. The crushing

responsibilities his father had left entirely to him. The terrifying possibility that his sister and daughter might carry the same genetic flaw. The relentless, high-stakes pressure of the corporate world.

He had to constantly generate immense wealth, constantly calculate his next move, never allowed a single second of weakness. Even playing with corporate options carried monumental risks, but he had to secure enough money to protect them all. And now, his grandmother's failing heart was pushing him to his absolute limit.

He was a man who despised showing weakness, always projecting an aura of impenetrable strength and absolute reliability.

But today, right here in this quiet room, the titan had finally let his exhaustion and vulnerability slip.

Half an hour ticked by. Eleanor's shoulder had gone completely numb, but she didn't dare move.

Even in his sleep, lan's brow remained tightly knit, as if fighting off nightmares.

Acting on sheer instinct, Eleanor reached out. Her fingertips lightly brushed against his forehead, gently attempting to smooth away the deep crease between his brows.

Sensing the touch, lan shifted slightly but didn't wake. Instead, his arm instinctively rose, wrapping heavily around her waist. He pulled her flush against his side, burying his face deeper into the crook of her neck. His breathing slowed into a steady rhythm, sending puffs of warm air across her skin.

Eleanor sighed softly. Perhaps witnessing Magdalen's fading life had shifted her perspective. Suddenly, the bitter resentments and old grievances didn't seem quite so important anymore.

lan's hand rested naturally on her waist, holding her securely.

Eleanor thought he was waking up, but he remained deeply asleep. Surrendering to the moment, she relaxed completely, letting herself be his comfort.

Suddenly, the sharp voices of nurses echoing from the corridor shattered the quiet.

lan jolted awake. The heavy fog of sleep lingered in his eyes for a fraction of a second before sharp clarity returned.

He lifted his head, his voice raspy. "Is your shoulder sore?"

"A little," Eleanor admitted honestly, rolling her stiff joint.

A flash of pure guilt and tenderness crossed lan's eyes. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Eleanor shook her head.

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lan stood up, rolling his neck to stretch his own cramped muscles. He looked significantly more. refreshed. He reached his hand

down to her.

Caught off guard, Eleanor was about to say she didn't need help, but lan simply took

her hand in his. "Let's go check on Grandma."

Eleanor let him lead the way. She knew that something monumental was shifting between them.

It was her own heart.

They walked down the silent corridor and peered through the glass window of the hospital room. Magdalen had drifted off to sleep again.

Spotting them, Gina approached and whispered, "She just fell asleep. If you two have things to do, go take care of them."

lan turned to Eleanor. "I'll have Gavin drop you at the lab."

Knowing there was nothing she could do here, Eleanor shook her head. "I'll drive myself. Call me the second anything changes."

"lan, walk Eleanor out," Gina instructed.

lan nodded, falling into step beside Eleanor.

They rode the elevator in silence. When they reached the parking garage lan finally spoke. "Don't let Grandma's words pressure you. She's just used to worrying about all

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Eleanor knew exactly what he was referring to. She nodded. "I know."

The emotion swirling in lan's eyes was impossible to read, though a flicker of

undeniable disappointment seemed to cross his features.

"Go back inside," Eleanor told him, pulling open her car door.

"Drive safe," lan murmured, standing perfectly still as he watched her car disappear into the distance.

That afternoon, Eleanor rushed out

to pick Evelyn up from school. lan texted to let her know that

Magdalen's condition was

deteriorating. She was growing weaker by the hour.