Chapter 69

Pandora, still haunted by Esmy's ominous instructions, stared at the Polaroid picture in her trembling hands. The image fell, landing on the cold hospital floor. As she reached down to retrieve it, the door swung open, revealing Max's unexpected entrance. Pandora's shock at seeing him disrupted her initial intention of picking up the fallen photograph. Instead, she shifted her focus to Max, putting the mysterious image momentarily aside.

Max rushed to Pandora, his emotions palpable, and enveloped her in a tight embrace. She reciprocated, trying to comfort him in the midst of the turbulent emotions swirling around them. However, when she attempted to kiss him, Max didn't respond in kind. 

Pandora sensed something amiss and inquired, "Max, don't worry too much about me. I'm actually very fine."

Tears streamed down Max's face as he struggled to articulate the devastating news. Pandora, bewildered, reassured him, "The surgery went well, Max. Stop crying. I'm going