Chapter: 525

But staying over wasn't a problem since they had rented the entire bar for the night.

Upon his arrival, Brody contacted Nikolas' assistant to come and pick him up. Then, he assisted his boss into the car.

Jonathan was quiet in his drunken state, merely sitting in the back seat and staring out of the window.

He occasionally closed and reopened his eyes.

Brody watched Jonathan closely in the rearview mirror, ready to drive to the hospital if he noticed anything wrong with his boss.

Knowing Jonathan well, Brody understood that silence meant he was depressed. And saying something comforting wouldn't change his mood, so Brody chose to remain silent, letting Jonathan have his peace.

Even if he tried to speak, Jonathan wasn't in the state to listen.

Jonathan would try to calm himself, but whenever he heard any news about Bethany, he would impulsively follow it.

The car reached East Shade Bay.

Brody got out of the car and opened the back door. Jonathan was sober enough to step out and follow Brody into the neighborhood.

Standing at the doorway, Brody heard his boss let out a sigh and whisper, “I miss her."

Jonathan missed Bethany.

He missed every second they had spent together in this house.

Alcohol loosened his tongue, coaxing out words he'd kept buried deep within.

In this struggle with Bethany, he had been defeated utterly, unable to find a way to get back up.

Brody could sense the weight of Jonathan's feelings in those few words.

The disappointment, the helplessness—it was truly heartbreaking.

"Mr. Bates, please try not to dwell on it."

“You're right." Jonathan nodded, a bitter smile dancing on his lips.

"I won't think about it."

With a sigh, Brody suggested, “Let's head back and rest. You've had enough tonight, and there's work tomorrow."

"Fine."

“What's the password for your door lock? I'll open it for you. You can change it tomorrow," Brody offered, concerned with the state Jonathan was in.

Jonathan's tall figure swayed slightly. “The password is BH 0825. The initials of our surnames and the day we first sat together—August 25th."