Inside the Ward
The heavy silence that followed Saint Theresa's words made every step feel like they were walking through fog. Amelia and Sophia had already prepared themselves for the worst. The Saint's solemn tone and guarded expression had made it clear—whatever awaited them beyond that door was not good.
But when they stepped inside…
Their breath caught in their throats.
Richard Lancaster—the patriarch, the man clinging to life for weeks—was no longer a shadow of himself.
He was sitting upright in bed, the tubes and life-support devices that once fed him gone, his skin vibrant with color, his frame no longer gaunt or withered. The Meta Essence Carcinoma that had ravaged him was… gone.
Amelia gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in shock. Then, overcome with emotion, she rushed to his side, tears welling in her eyes as she embraced him.
"Welcome back…" she whispered, voice shaking.
Richard smiled, voice deep and steady again.
"It's good to be back."
