Chapter 25

When Adeline woke up, the caregiver told her Sullivan would visit. He never did, not even after she and her parents were discharged. She thought the caregiver had lied. Much later, she learned he'd been in a serious car accident, nearly losing his life. Horrified, she rushed to see him.

Sullivan lay unconscious in intensive care. Only the condensation on his ventilator mask and the steady rhythm of the heart monitor indicated he was alive. According to the caregiver, he'd lost consciousness while rushing to the hospital. Adeline felt guilty. Truthfully, since they'd reunited, she hadn't treated him well. She hadn't felt love for him before. But seeing him frail, she felt a pang in her heart. He'd cared for her and her parents after their accident, yet she only learned of his condition after recovering.

"I'm sorry, Sullivan," she whispered. At the end of the day, Sullivan owed her nothing. She was the one who'd forced their relationship years ago. It wasn't surprising he hadn't reciprocated her feelings. But after she ended things and avoided him, he pursued her. Upset by their five-year relationship, she'd held a grudge, but he'd never resented her indifference.

Adeline lowered her head, her voice choked. However, she noticed one of his fingers twitch. Her heart leaped; she called for a doctor. Soon, one arrived.

Sullivan slowly regained consciousness. The doctor had left; he saw a nurse instructing a young woman. When she turned, he froze. Wasn't that Madeleine, the woman who'd died five years ago? He remembered the Emersons' invitation and realized this was their adopted daughter, Adeline. Instinctively, he frowned. He disliked the Emersons. Seeing her approach, he asked, "What are you doing here?" The distant tone made Adeline pause. She hadn't expected that reaction. She was about to reply when she understood.

He wasn't the Sullivan who claimed to love her and wanted to be with her. He sounded like the original Sullivan from the novel, who despised Madeleine.

Realizing this, Adeline said, "I came to see you and thank you for caring for my parents and me. I'll transfer the money."

She left without waiting for a response. Outside the ward, she slowed. If Sullivan had reverted to his original self… what happened to the other Sullivan? Had he disappeared?

Adeline exited the hospital looking despondent. Frank and Cynthia, waiting in the car, saw her expression and thought she was upset about Sullivan's injuries. They asked, but she shook her head. "He's awake, but I doubt he'll want anything to do with us."

They couldn't get an explanation and headed home. At the Emerson residence, the driver stopped outside the gate.

"I think there's someone at the gate," he said.

They saw a scrawny man curled up. Assuming he was a beggar, they were about to send him away when Adeline had an idea.

Stopping her parents, she ran toward the man. Frank and Cynthia followed. Adeline asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

The man raised his head, revealing the face Adeline had loved for years. His eyes lit up.

"Addle, I said we'd be together without obstacles. I did it. I'm no longer Sullivan Carter, the male protagonist. I'm Logan Shaw. But this also means I have nothing. So, will you be my sugar baby again? I'll need room and board… even keep your bed warm!"

Adeline understood. Sullivan was Logan, a penniless man, the male protagonist. He had to follow the plot; the Sullivan who loved her had become Logan. Smiling, she nodded. "Sure, but I have high standards. I won't keep you if you don't meet them." Logan eagerly nodded. "I'll do anything."