The Riverbank

Adrian vale along with his wife Evelyn and thier son Calen, had come to riverbank for a short break from constant stress of running their business.

As they walked quietly along the edge, Adrain's eyes fell on a girl lying near the water. She was unconscious unmoving. Blood was visible near her head.

Adrian's steps came to a sudden stop. His eyes narrowed as he stared at something lying ahead, half - hidden near the curve of the riverbank.

" Wait... Look there, " he said sharply, pointing. " There's someone... a girl. She's lying there. "

Calen and Evelyn turned quickly, thier expressions shifting from relaxed to alarmed in an instant. Without exchanging a word, they walked closer, thier pace quickening with every step.

As they neared, Calen's face tensed. The girl was sprawled awkwardly on the ground, her head resting on uneven stones. Blood was slowly trailing from the back of her head, soaking into her tangled hair and the dry earth beneath.

Her clothes were drenched and disheveled. Her wrist showed signs of struggled - dark marks as if someone had grabbed her hand and pushed her.

" She's unconscious, " Calen said, crouching beside her. He reached out carefully, checking for a pulse. " There's no response. She's not even stirring. "

Evelyn stepped forward, one hand covering her mouth. Her voice trembled slightly. " Oh dear God... We need to get her to the hospital immediately. "

Adrain hesitated, glancing around. " We don't even know who she is," he muttered. " Where could she have come from? "

Calen looked up, his voice sharper now. " Dad, does it matter? She's bleeding. She's alone. If we leave her like this, she might not make it. "

Adrian's gaze returned to the girl. The blood was no longer a slow trickle - it had begun to saok through the side of her hair . His jaw tightened.

" You're right, " he said, his tone firm now. " We can't waste time. Let's take her - now. "

Evelyn didn't wait for another word. She quickly unwrapped the scarf around her neck and bent down beside the girl.

" Hold her steady, " she said to Calen, as she gently tied the scarf around the girl's head, trying to cover the wound and slow the bleeding. " This should help until we reach the hospital. "

Calen nodded and carefully lifted the girl into his arms. She was light, frighteningly so, her body limp.

" Let's go, " Evelyn said, already moving toward the car. " Every second counts. "

Inside the car, Evelyn gently held the unconscious girl against her chest, wrapping her arms around the frail body to keep her steady. The girl's head rested softly on her shoulder, the scarf still tied securely around the wound.

Calen kept his eyes focused on the road as he drove, his jaw tight with concern. The silence in the car was heavy, each of them lost in thier own thoughts, glancing occasionally at the girl who hasn't moved even once.

They reached the hospital within minutes.

A team of nurses rushed out with a stretcher the moment they saw them. Calen helped lift the girl carefully while Evelyn stayed close, explaining her condition as quickly as she

could.

" She's been unconscious since we found her. There's a head injury. She was lying near the river. " Evelyn said, her voice urgent but composed.

The girl was taken into emergency care immediately. Adrian handled the paperwork while Evelyn and Calen waited outside the treatment room, thier faces anxious.

After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally stepped out. He looked serious but calm.

" She's stable now, " he began, addressing all three. " But it might take a while before she regains conciousness. From what we can tell, she was in the water for quiet some time before being found. Her body temperature was dangerously low. And it looks like she hit her head hard against a rock. That's the cause of her current state. "

Evelyn stepped forward, her tone gentle but firm. " Will she wake up? "

The doctor nodded. " She should. But it could take hours... or a few days. We'll monitor her closely. "

The doctor's eyes scanned the three of them. " Do you know who she is? Any family? Someone we can contact? "

Calen shook his head slowly. " No, we don't know anything. We found her unconscious near the riverbank. There was no one around. "

The doctor sighed. It's difficult in cases like this. We need some kind of guardian on record to authorize treatment and stay by her side. "

Evelyn didn't hesitate. " I'll stay. List me as her guardian until someone comes. She shouldn't be alone. "

Calen glanced at his mother, concern flickering in his eyes. " Mom... Are you sure about this? "

Evelyn nodded without hesitation. " Yes, Calen. She's just a girl. All alone. I can't leave her like this. "

Before Calen could respond, his phone began to vibrate. He pulled it out and checked the screen - it was from the operations head from Valeon Group.

" Hello? " He answered, stepping aside slightly.

Evelyn and Adrian watched as Calen's expression shifted quickly from mild curiosity to tension.

" What? When did this happen? " His voice dropped lower. " Okay... I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Keep everything under control till then. "

He ended the call and turned to them. " There's a problem at the company. A shipment has been delayed at the port, and the clients are threatening to pull the deal. "

Adrian exhaled. " Damn it. That's the third time this month. "

Calen looked at his mother. " I have to go, Mom. But call me anything changes , please. "

Evelyn placed her hand on his arm. " Go , Calen. I'll stay with her. She's in good hands now. "

Calen nodded , gave the girl one last glance through the glass window, and left with his father.

Evelyn remained behind - alone in the hospital corridor, seated outside the ICU. Her eyes never left the door.

Somehow without knowing her name, her past or her story... She had already chosen to protect this girl like her own.

A while later, the doctor stepped out again and gave Evelyn assuring nod.

" You can see her in a little while. " He said gently. " She's still unconscious but stable. Her vitals are improving. The next few hours will be critical, so we'll be monitoring her closely. "

Evelyn exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing just a little. " Thank you, doctor. Please keep me updated. "

He nodded and walked off.

Feeling the dryness in her throat, Evelyn decided to get some water from the vending machine near the waiting lounge. As she turned the corner her pace slowed - and suddenly, she bumped into someone coming from the opposite direction.

" Oh - sorry, ". She said instinctively, stepping back.

The woman she'd bumped into paused, blinked, and then her lips curled into a half - smile. " Evelyn? "

Evelyn's brows lifted in surprise. The face was familiar though a little more angular now, eyes still sharp " Sabrina? " She asked slowly.

A short laugh escaped the women's lips. " Wow, it's been so many days. I thought you'd moved out of the city. "

It's been more than just a few days, " Evelyn said with a tight smile. " It's been years actually. "

Sabrina looked her up and down, lingering too long. " You've lost weight. Looks like married life isn't exactly pampering you. "

Evelyn's expression remained unchanged. " Marriage isn't about pampering. But if you must know my husband takes care of me more than well. "

Sabrina scoffed lightly, brushing a hand through her hair. " That's sweet. But Evelyn, come on... don't be sure. You really think he hasn't had a wandering eye all these years?"

Evelyn's voice was calm but icy. " I don't guess. I know. He's never given me reason to doubt him. "

Sabrina laughed under her breath, leaning in just a bit. " You'd be shocked to know how many women your husband has charmed without you ever noticing. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a line. "

Evelyn's expression sharpened. " If Adrian ever wanted to betray me, he would've done it years ago - especially when you tried to seduce him. "

The smirk on Sabrina's lips faltered instantly, the confidence in in her eyes dulling.

" You still remember that? " She muttered, clearly unsettled.

Evelyn stepped a little closer now, her voice softer but deadlier. " I remember everything. Including how he turned you down without a second thought. "

Sabrina's smile was gone . Her jaw tightened.

" Not everyman is like your ex - boyfriend, Sabrina, " Evelyn continued . " Some people actually know what loyalty means. I'm sorry that's hard for you to understand. "

There was silence between them. Sabrina looked like she wanted to speak, but nothing came out. She turned her head slightly, but the shame had already spread across her face.

Evelyn offered a grateful nod. " Take care of yourself, " she said coldly, and walked past her without another word.

Sabrina stood frozen in place, unable to respond - the weight of Evelyn's words clinging to her like dust she couldn't shake off.

After drinking some water, Evelyn returned to the girl's room and quietly sat beside her. The room was calm. The only sounds were the soft beeping from the monitors. Time passed slowly.

About an hour later, Calen walked in, but Adrian had stayed back at the company.

Evelyn looked at him. " What happened? Is everything alright at the company? "

Calen shook his head. " No, Mom... Not really. "

Evelyn voice lowered slightly. " What happened? "

Calen looked straight into her eyes, his voice firm and quiet.

" He came back."