Riley couldn't understand it.
None of this has been recorded in Adrian's medical file.
According to the records, his episodes were simple—vomiting blood, then falling unconscious.
Nothing like what she had just witnessed.
Sensing her confusion, Zachary led her outside and cleared his throat.
"It's not that we wanted to hide it," he said quietly. "His condition is… unusual. And there are too many people watching him. We had all detailed symptoms erased from the records so no one could use them against him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have lasted this long."
Riley's gaze flickered, but she didn't respond.
Zachary continued, his voice heavier now. "Before this, it wasn't this bad. Even the times he ended up in the ICU, he never lost control like today. When an episode hit, he could still regain consciousness quickly. He could control himself. He could even inject his own sedatives."
He ran a hand through his messy hair. "But today… I don't know what happened. No one could stop him. He just… went completely berserk."
Riley finally caught something important.
She frowned. "What triggered it? Didn't he usually have warning signs?"
"Not like this!" Zachary shook his head. "Before, he always sensed it coming. But today—"
He paused suddenly, as if remembering something.
"Oh! He went to look for that little fool. Right outside Imperial University. Then all of a sudden, he snapped. It came too fast—we couldn't react at all."
So… it really was because of me.
Guilt pricked at Riley.
I should've pushed Lucas aside and called for help…
Still, she couldn't quite believe it.
We had barely known each other.
Would he really lose control… because of me?
Zachary walked her downstairs.
Riley got into her pink sports car and left Clearbrooke Estate.
One thought echoed in her mind—
His condition is far worse than I imagined.
***
Adrian remained unconscious for two full days.
And for those same two days, Riley didn't show up once.
She had driven to Southglen to gather medicinal supplies.
Years ago, she had seen records of Black Veil in her mother's medical notes. Her mother had studied it extensively. If she followed those formulas, she could skip countless steps and directly refine a batch of pills for Adrian to try.
The problem was the quantity.
The herbs she needed weren't small amounts—they were required in bulk. Most pharmacies couldn't supply that much.
After searching through countless shops, she finally found an herbal medicine store in Southglen that had everything she needed.
Just as she was loading large bags of herbs into her car—
A whisper came from behind.
"Wait… Felicia, doesn't that look like your sister who's been missing these past few days?"
Felicia turned, frowning.
A woman with a similar build to Riley was stuffing bags into a pink sports car.
Before she could respond, another girl scoffed.
"Miranda, did you drink too much or what? Riley's a fool. You think she can drive? Or shop like that?"
Miranda Belle laughed awkwardly. "Fair point. Maybe that fool got kidnapped and sold off somewhere."
Celeste Wren rolled her eyes. "I think she ran away because she knew she'd fail the entrance exams. Honestly, if I were her, I wouldn't have the nerve to stay either. Right, Felicia?"
"Felicia? Felicia? Why aren't you saying anything?"
Felicia stared at the woman, lost in thought.
She only snapped back when someone nudged her.
"N-no… it's nothing," she said softly. "She just reminded me of my sister. I wonder how she's been these past few days… whether she's hurt or not."
But inside—
Her expression darkened.
Damn it.
That woman's side profile…
Looked far too much like Riley.