Adam Willow looked at their backs, his feet seemed to be nailed to the ground, unable to move.
His eyes were full of loss and desolation, the happiness he once thought was within reach had completely shattered and dissipated.
He just stood there dazedly for a long, long time.
He didn't know how long had passed when the sharp ring of the phone pulled Adam back to the real world from his pain and confusion.
He slowly lowered his head, his gaze somewhat blankly watching the flashing caller ID on the phone screen, staying still for a moment before reaching out and pressing the answer button.
"Dad..."
Adam struggled to utter the word, his voice full of exhaustion, as if all his strength had been drained in an instant.
On the other end of the phone, Evan Palmer's voice came through the receiver, with a tone of undeniable severity,
"Adam, what on earth is going on? Didn't you say Dr. Sterling appreciated you?"
Hearing his father's questioning, Adam fell into silence.
