Barrett had never felt this way before, as if Jacey's words had unexpectedly thrown him into an icy abyss.

He couldn't snap out of it, even feeling like he might be hallucinating. Yet, deep down, he knew Jacey wouldn't deceive him at this point.

But Zoe terminally ill?

Even if Zoe's condition were severe, how could it be terminal?

Terminal illnesses were incurable and fatal.

Barrett's hands trembled, unaware that the pressure in his palms was steadily increasing, slipping out of his control.

Jacey's throat was gripped tightly, her survival instincts urging her to pry Barrett's hand away. But Barrett's hand seemed like an iron clamp around her neck, impervious...