Hours later, the doctor emerged from the infirmary. Polly rushed forward, her voice tight with anxiety. "Is he alright?"
"He's stable," the doctor confirmed, "but still unconscious."
Two days later, A.D. stirred, slowly regaining consciousness. Jane, who had been sitting vigilantly by his bedside, clutching his hand, woke with a start. "A.D., are you alright?" she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Hum! I told you to let me come with you! Now I will not leave you alone anywhere, okay? And you have to listen to me!"
"Okay," A.D. rasped, a faint smile touching his lips. Jane then stood, carefully lay down beside him on the bed, and hugged him tightly, tears of relief soaking his gown.
Chapter : Marsh's Pursuit
Meanwhile, Marsh's army continued their relentless search for A.D. and David. Fifteen days passed, during which A.D. made a full recovery. Marsh, back at his command center, was furious. "Army, go to B:3 branch!" he roared. "A.D. will be there. I need A.D. at every cost!"
Sharleen, who had been listening from behind, stepped forward. "Dad, I'll go there with my team and get A.D."
Marsh pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Okay." As Sharleen left, Marsh turned to his men. "Follow Sharleen. Get an advantage to get into B:3, because I know A.D. will allow her in. But carefully – Sharleen doesn't have to know."
Chapter :The Reunion and The Rivalry
Three days later, Sharleen and her team reached A.D.'s fortified base. At the gate, A.D.'s men stood guard, their weapons aimed defensively. Sharleen's team stopped their vehicles and disembarked.
"Who are you? Why have you come here?" one of A.D.'s guards asked.
Sharleen stepped forward. "We've come to meet A.D." The guard relayed the message to A.D. via wireless communication.
A.D., informed of the visitors, soon appeared. He saw Sharleen and ordered to open the gate. She and her teammates entered, their eyes widening at the sight before them. It was a place where people lived freely, – a stark contrast to Marsh's oppressive camps.
Then, A.D. appeared. Sharleen, seeing him well and alive, ran to him and hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy that you're fine," she exclaimed, relief flooding her voice. "I was so worried about you!"
A.D. gently pushed her away. "What are you doing? You can talk from far."
"Okay," Sharleen replied, a blush rising to her cheeks.
Just then, Jane stormed in, a gun firmly in her hand. "Who are they?" she demanded, glaring at Sharleen's team. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Sharleen. "And this girl hugged you?" She aimed her gun at Sharleen and her team.
"Who is she?" Sharleen asked, bewildered by Jane's aggressive entrance.
Jane confidently grabbed A.D.'s arm, then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "He's mine," she declared, her gaze fixed on Sharleen. "I'm his upcoming wife. We're engaged, and we're getting married soon!"
Sharleen's face fell. She had also developed feelings for A.D. after he saved her life, and this attraction was a significant reason she had come to find him. Now, her hopes were dashed.