Chapter 71
Chapter 71:
The relentless wails of police and ambulance sirens set Helena’s nerves on edge, her hands trembling slightly.
She urged the driver to hurry, yet the recent accident had congested traffic entirely.
“Miss, is it crucial to get to the south side right now?” the driver asked, eyeing the jammed road. “Look, it’s completely blocked p>
Traffic was at a standstill on the main road to the south side of the city. Silently, Helena continued to call Alden repeatedly.
With every busy tone, her despair deepened; she clutched her phone so tightly that her fingertips began to whiten.
Suddenly, a news alert came from the radio in the car. “A severe collapse at the Wilson Group’s development area on the south side of the city has resulted in five severe injuries and one minor injury. The project manager, Mr. Wilson, last seen on the affected floor, is missing p>
The phone slipped from Helena’s grasp, clattering to the vehicle’s floor. “Could you turn the radio louder, please?” she asked, her voice shaking.
Catching Helena’s reflection in the rearview mirror, the driver noted her paleness and quickly increased the volume.
As the broadcast repeated, Helena’s thoughts were fixated on Alden’s disappearance.
Tears began to flow uncontrollably, blurring her vision. Was Alden injured? How could this happen? They had been talking about mundane things, like fixing the heater this morning. The last message from Alden had been about choosing the right blanket for her bed.
No, this couldn’t be happening. He must be safe.
The driver, noticing her distress, asked with concern, “Do you have family at that construction site p>
“Yes, my… husband,” Helena said. “I just got married p>
Visions of Alden—his usually stoic demeanor, his infrequent gentle smiles, the quiet way he took care of things—flooded her mind. Helena realized she was consumed with thoughts of Alden.
Despite there being no reason to maintain any facade, Helena had come to genuinely regard Alden as her husband. However, she had never expressed these feelings to him.
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The driver sighed empathetically, saying, “Don’t worry—I’ll make sure we get there p>
He quickly drove the car down a more challenging alternate route. As they neared the development area, they encountered a blockade by the traffic police, sealing off every available lane.
Without uttering a word, Helena handed over the fare, burst out of the car, and sprinted toward the development area.
Upon reaching the entrance, she was halted by the fire department’s barricade.
Flashing her work ID, Helena declared, “I’m a reporter p>
She hurried past the firefighters, racing ahead before they could confirm her identity.
From afar, she glimpsed the remains of an old residential building, a heap of rubble and dust, with only a fragment still intact.
Construction workers were scattered all around.
Two ambulances stood at the development area’s entrance, where medical personnel were attending to those who had been rescued. Overwhelmed with anxiety, Helena asked every worker she encountered, “Have you seen Alden? Is he safe?” Their responses were mere head shakes.
Calling out for Alden, Helena hoped to hear his voice amid the chaos. The noise was overwhelming. Could Alden hear her? Did he still have his hearing aid with him?
Given the darkness engulfing the site, if Alden couldn’t hear, how would he signal the firefighters nearby?
She had read how individuals with disabilities often faced greater risks of being overlooked in such catastrophes.
Tears blurred Helena’s vision as she recklessly moved toward the debris.
Inside that wreckage was Alden. Driven by determination, she pressed on, needing to find him.