Chapter 240: Where is Charle’s Heart

The room smells like disinfectant and illness. Charles is lying in bed with an oxygen mask over his nose. He's hooked up to several machines that beep and whir—he almost seems more machine than human. Avery feels her eyes flooded with tears.

"Charles," she gasps. 

She runs across the room and grabs his thin hand from the top of the quilt. It feels limp and lifeless in her own hands, and he doesn't seem to notice her at all. His eyes don't even flicker. She swallows back a sob.

"What's wrong with him?" she asks.

"Mrs. Howel, can I please have a word with you outside?" the doctor asks.

Avery follows him into the corridor, looking over her shoulder at Charles. The doctor clears his throat and pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He stuffs his hand in his pocket and looks into Avery's eyes.