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Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Fractured Bond

Collin

Collin sat across from Cereus, the weight of the past pressing down on him. He had rehearsed this moment countless times, crafting the perfect apology, the perfect explanation. 

"It was so hard, Collin," Cereus began, her voice trembling slightly. "I couldn't understand why you left. Just like that. No goodbye, no explanation. It was like you vanished into thin air." Her eyes filled with tears. "I had nightmares about you for months. I'd wake up in a cold sweat, my heart racing."

Collin felt pain in his chest, and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I know, Cereus," he began, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm so sorry for the pain I caused."

Just as it seemed like a genuine conversation was about to unfold, Collin's phone buzzed.

But as he opened his mouth to speak, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, his heart sinking. It was Dr. Kegs.

A wave of panic washed over him. Dr. Kegs only contacted him in case of emergencies. And Leo, his younger brother, was anything but stable. The last time Leo had a panic attack this severe was years ago, after their parents' tragic demise. They had managed to stabilize him with intensive therapy under Dr. Kegs' care. But now, after all these years of relative peace, this?

The message read: "Leo fainted after a severe panic attack. He's in the hospital. We brought him immediately."

The words seemed to blur before his eyes. His mind raced, trying to process the information. Leo? A panic attack? What could have triggered it? A million questions flooded his mind, each one more terrifying than the last.

He looked at Cereus, her expectant gaze boring into him. He felt a pang of guilt for interrupting her, but there was no time for explanations. "I'm so sorry, Cereus," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "I have to go. It's an emergency."

He stood up abruptly, his mind already racing. He had to get to Leo. Something was terribly wrong. The conversation with Cereus could wait. For now, his only focus was his brother.

As he rushed out of the cafe, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. What had happened to Leo? Was he in danger? A cold dread settled in his stomach. He had to get to the hospital as fast as possible.

His heart pounded in his chest as he drove. The city seemed to blur around him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was at play. Someone, or something, was targeting his family. And he was the only one left to protect them.

The hospital loomed large before him. He parked the car and ran inside, his mind a blur of fear and determination. He had to find Leo. He had to make sure his brother was safe.

Collin burst into the hospital room, his heart pounding in his chest. The sight of Leo lying on the hospital bed, pale and still, had sent a wave of terror through him. But now, as he saw his brother's eyes open, a flicker of relief washed over him."Leo!" he exclaimed, rushing to his brother's side. "What happened?"Leo's voice was weak as he spoke, "I had a panic attack."A surge of worry coursed through Collin. Panic attacks had been a part of Leo's life since their parents' death, but they had become less frequent over the years. This was a setback, a painful reminder of their shared trauma."What triggered it?" Collin asked, his voice gentle.Leo hesitated, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and fear. "I got a text from Molly this morning. She said she wanted to break up."Collin's heart sank. Molly had been a constant in Leo's life, a source of stability and happiness. To hear that she was leaving him was a blow he hadn't anticipated."She broke up with you?" Collin repeated, disbelief coloring his voice.Leo nodded, his eyes filling with tears. "I told her last night about our family, about you being the CEO of Wusan Conglomerate. She felt betrayed. Said I lied to her for a year."Collin's mind raced. He understood Molly's reaction to some extent. The revelation about his family's wealth and power could be overwhelming. But to see his brother so broken over it was a different kind of pain.He reached out and took Leo's hand. "You're not alone, Leo. I'm here. We'll get through this together."A wave of protectiveness washed over Collin. He had to be strong for his brother. He had to shield him from the world's cruelty. And he had to find a way to mend things with Molly, if that was even possible.As he sat by Leo's bedside, holding his brother's hand, Collin made a silent promise. He would do whatever it took to protect Leo, to ensure that he never felt alone again.