Ch. 441..445: Rebirth_ Dancing In My Destiny Chapter 441-445

Chapter 441: Little Boy

Before Oliver could answer Sean’s words, someone pulled his hand back. He was startled when he turned around and saw Keira holding his hand.

"Kei!?" Oliver frowned as he leaned slightly towards her, "What happened?" he whispered, but Keira ignored him. She even stood before him like she was protecting him from Sean.

Keira stood between Oliver and Sean. With a sharp look, she stared at Sean.

"Sean Spencer!! You can’t bully him! He’s the one I love, so please don’t ever try to separate us. I won’t let you do that, brother!!" Her fists were clenched so hard till her knuckles turned white.

Oliver was shocked to hear Keira’s words.

What!? Why did Keira think Sean was scolding him? They just talked about his family matters. And Sean gave him support.

"Oh, my dear Keira, you just did something stupid!" He muttered under his breath while holding back a laugh. For some reason, what Keira was doing right now seemed funny to him.

This girl had thrown their secret at Sean. Only idiots who will not understand what Keira is saying earlier. He was sure, by now, Sean would have known about their relationship.

It can’t be helped anymore. The time has come for Oliver and Keira to be honest with Sean.

Sean winced at how vicious his little sister was now, but what he had just heard made his mind explode. It was as if someone had set off a firecracker in his brain.

The man she likes? Oliver Hester?

Shit!! They’re dating!?

Suddenly like lightning striking his head, Sean’s eyes wide open in surprise. He looked at Oliver Hester intently. His mouth was unfurled, but no words were coming out. What he heard just now never crossed his mind. His younger sister has a boyfriend. And her boyfriend is someone he knows, Oliver Hester.

Is it a joke?

"Brother, let me talk to her first." Oliver smiled at Sean and pulled Keira into a corner. After he thought it was safe to talk to her, he let go of her hand and looked into her eyes, "What are you doing?" He could see her eyes were confused, staring back at him.

"Oliver, did my brother scold you?"

"No. Kei, Sean did not scold me in any way. If you thought he did, you misunderstood him, Kei...." Oliver pinched his brows, feeling a sudden headache, but when he saw her face as white as snow, he worried for her. He can’t help but rub her head gently.

"Huhu... I made a big mistake! What should I do?" Keira realized that she had made a big mistake by exposing their relationship.

"Don’t worry. Everything’s gonna be alright!" He took her hand and squeezed it gently. Trying to calm his panicked girlfriend. "Keira, this isn’t as scary as you think. Trust me. I’ll take care of it...."

"No. Let me take care of it." She slapped her forehead, feeling irritated with herself. How could she make Oliver face his brother!? She can’t allow it. "I’m stupid. Very stupid." She looked into Oliver’s eyes. "Oliver, he is my brother. So, I’ll talk to him..."

But before Keira turned her back, her limbs went limp when she heard her brother’s cold voice from behind.

"Both of you! Explain it to me!!"

Keira slowly turned around only to see Sean’s burning eyes and his face darkening. He looks terrifying. It made her shudder.

****

Next Day - January 1st.

The sun was shining and snowing outside when Rose opened her eyes. She saw Evan still sleeping beside her.

She smiled at how soundly he slept even though his position looked so stiff on the edge of the bed. It was as if he was trying to keep a safe distance from her. Different from his usual habits. He always pulled her into his arms.

This man was cautious about how he treated her in bed. He was so afraid to make her hands hurt again.

But actually, Evan wasn’t the only one who felt that way. She was like that too. She didn’t dare to sleep close to him. She was sure the wound on Evan’s waist had not yet healed.

"Good morning, hubby! Happy new year..." Rose leaned closer and kissed his lips gently.

Rose chuckled seeing Evan didn’t move. He is still soundly asleep. She slowly got up from the bed.

She needed to clean up before going downstairs to meet her parents.

However, her steps came to a halt as her gaze fell on the scene unfolding outside, causing her to stand by the window admiring the expanse of snow covering all surfaces and the trees.

As far as her eye can see, only the expanse of snow is visible. For a moment, she stood there reminiscing about her life over the last few months. So much happened in her life after her rebirth.

She married a man who loved her from the first time they met. She changed the line of her mother’s destiny, something she is very grateful to be given a chance to return to this life. She also met her father and the rest of her family. All this was the best gift she ever received from God in her two lifetimes.

"Thank God for your kindness. Hopefully, you will still bless me this year by entrusting a new life to Evan and me. There’s nothing we want now, only a child..." she muttered to herself.

Without realizing it, her eyes felt warm, too moved by what she had been through the past few months. However, not long after, something strange crossed her mind—the image of a little boy suddenly filled her mind.

She couldn’t remember who the little boy was. The little boy’s face was blurred.

Rose shuddered.

She had never met such a small boy after her rebirth.

Who is that little boy?

Why did he suddenly appear in her mind?

Rose tried hard to reel back her memory, but she couldn’t remember about the little boy; he looked chubby with skin as white as snow. His hair is curly, similar to her hair color. But, something was strange, she couldn’t see the boy’s face, his face was blurry.

"This!? Why did this memory suddenly appear in my mind!?"

Chapter 442: Who Are You?

Rose’s body felt tense. With her healthy hand, she held herself against the wall, keeping her from falling. Somehow her legs suddenly turned like jelly.

"Was the little child the boy she met during her past life?" Rose pondered.

The more she tried to answer her curiosity, the more confused she became. And slowly, her heart hurts. She winced in pain as if someone had just sliced her heart with a sharp knife. She rubbed her chest with her hand, hoping it would relieve the tightness in her heart.

"Little kid, who are you? Why did you appear in my memory?" She muttered again while trying to find the answer from her deep memories.

As she faced these sudden emotions, her brain could not think straight. Not even for a moment. Once again, she failed to remember. As if the child never existed in her life, in her memories.

But...

Why did that little boy suddenly appear there?

Rose could guess the little boy was someone she had met in her previous life.

She felt like lightning striking her head when countless possibilities occurred. One of the most significant ones was that the little boy is her son with Dustin.

No. This is clearly impossible. Rose profoundly rejects the idea. If she had a son, she would definitely remember him, right?

Rose was perplexed. She clenched her fists, annoyed. After months of success, forgetting that trash Dustin, he had appeared again, interfering with her life!?

"Why did you come back to my memories, bastard!?"

After a while, Rose could feel her whole body starting to shudder as something terrifying flashed through her mind.

It’s been half a year married to Evan, but there are no children between them yet.

Is it because God punished her? That’s why until now, she has not been blessed with a child.

Suppose this is really the punishment she received because she was reborn. God took away her good memories of her previous life in return. In that case, she could only say this was cruel — God is somewhat heartless.

Her eyes stared intently at the blue sky above. Many memories now filled her mind. God tortured her ever since she was reborn. She got a happy family but also lost something and experienced many incidents that almost took her life.

Now she no longer knew whether this ’rebirth’ was a blessing for her or a curse.

After a few seconds, she tortured her brain to remember the little boy and grew exhausted. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she headed to the bathroom.

Before long...

Rose finished cleaning herself up. As she came out of the bathroom, she was stunned to see her husband was awake too. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her. His face looked calm, but his eyes looked worried.

"Why are you up so early? It’s still eight in the morning... you should sleep again, my dear." Her hoarse voice sounded sexy, making Rose couldn’t help but smile.

"No, hubby, we have to go down now. Did you forget there’s my grandpa and your grandpa? We have to greet them... and we should give them presents." It’s her first year celebrating the new year with them, and she is very excited.

"Present?" Evan frowned. He never gave gifts to his parents and grandfather during the new year. He didn’t prepare anything for them, only his wife.

"Hahaha, so you didn’t prepare anything?" Rose chuckled, "You didn’t buy anything, did you?" She continued her words after she saw Evan pensive with a confused look staring at her.

"Hmm, I forgot to prepare the gift for your parents and grandfather. I’ll call Gavin now..." Evan immediately took his cell phone. But before he dials Gavin’s number. Rose held his hand.

"Why are you stopping me?" Evan asked, confused.

"No need. Let’s say the two of us prepared the gift...."

Evan’s mouth twitched. He didn’t like the idea. But, it would be too late if he prepared his present now. "But..." He still blames himself.

"Hubby, we are husband and wife, so it’s only natural that we give them presents together. After all, my parents would be happy if they accepted the gifts I had prepared. So does grandpa..."

Rose took Evan’s big hand and dragged him into the bathroom.

"Wash! And hurry up... I’m a little hungry now."

In the end, Evan agreed with her. He nods at her while sandwiching her cheeks and kissing her lips. "Wait for me..." he said, then rushed to the bathroom.

Soon, they arrived at the first floor. Rose was surprised to see her parents, her grandfather, and Evan’s grandfather talking happily by the fireplace.

After she greeted them, they moved to the dining room.

Rose felt bad that her parents were waiting for the two to have breakfast together. Luckily, she forced Evan to come downstairs.

And when she entered the dining room. Her eyes widened in disbelief at what she saw; her cousins and friends were sitting at the dining table.

Last night Rose went to bed first. Little did she know that her friends and family were staying over.

"They all stayed here last night?" Rose was surprised to see that Oliver, James, and Ryan were among them.

"Yes. Last night it snowed heavily. So I asked them to stay the night. There happen to be a lot of guest rooms in this house. However, Sean and Stella refused to stay. They still returned to the base camp even though it was snowing..." Evan explained as they walked in to join the others.

"Morning Rose, Evan..." Oliver, who saw them first, immediately greeted them. He was so happy that Rose was finally with them. Since waking up, Oliver has felt awkward around Keira’s grandfather after last night. Sean Spencer knew about their relationship, and he ignored them.

"Morning, guys. I’m glad you guys stayed the night here." Rose’s eyes beamed at them all. Feel so blessed to have all of them, her family and best friends.

Chapter 443: Lovely Breakfast

Shortly after, several servers came in and served. This morning there was so much delicious food served on the table, typical of Molly when serving food for the guests. It was always abundant.

This breakfast on the first day of the new year can make Rose feel warm in her heart. She felt blessed to be among her family and friends, who seemed to get along well with each other.

She could see James and Danny talking to her aunt and cousin, Keira. She also saw Oliver talking to Evan seriously while Evan placed food on her plate nonstop. While her grandfather and grandpa-in-law talk with her parents. They’re discussing their vacation plans.

Rose silently ate. Her heart is filled in, just her belly. This happy moment was a blessing for her after her dramatic rebirth six months ago. Though there were some of her past memories, she couldn’t recall them. Like, the memory of a young child, which suddenly appeared in her mind when she woke up this morning, she still felt blessed.

For now...

She will put aside that thought. She would enjoy the moment, trying to paint new memories in her mind—happy memories.

Soon the breakfast finished.

Rose’s family continued their conversation in the living room.

Meanwhile, Oliver, Evan, and her other friends gather in Nicholas Spencer’s study while waiting for the snow to clear. The road to town from these houses was quite challenging, so for safety’s sake, they decided to wait until the road cleared.

Keira, who saw Rose idle on the couch looking at her cell phone, immediately pulled her into the guest bedroom at the back of the house.

"Kei, why did you drag me here? Do you want to give me a New Year’s gift?"

Rose chuckled while sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Keira pace back and forth in front of her like a confused person. Her strange facial expression made Rose confirm that this girl was perplexed.

"Did something happen to you? What’s with that weird expression on your face, Kei? Gosh! You make me worried... Please tell me, huh!?" Rose asked when she saw Keira stop her steps not far from her.

When their eyes met, she could see a trace of worry there. This girl succeeded in insulting her mind; now she was worried for her.

"Damn it, Keira Spencer! If you don’t talk now, I’m leaving!"

"Sister..." Keira finally opened her mouth after hearing Rose scold her. She walked over to her and sat beside her. "Sis, what to do? Brother Sean, he knows...."

"He knows? Know what?" Rose was getting annoyed seeing Keira, who looked like a clueless person. Looked like she wanted to say something but her words seemed to fade away.

"He knows about Brother Oliver. He knows about Oliver and me..."

"He knows you guys are dating?" Rose was surprised to know. How did Sean know their relationship this fast?

Rose believes someone has told Sean. Had her husband told him? She would pity Keira and Oliver if Evan ever spilled about Keira and Oliver’s relationship with Sean.

Keira immediately tells Rose what happened last night—because of her cluelessness, she accidentally leaked her biggest secret.

Now, she was scared. Her brother would tell her father. Even though Sean didn’t say anything to her, his silence still haunted her. Last night she couldn’t sleep. Her mind was distracted by this.

Moreover, her older brother still left this house even though it was heavily snowing at that time. Since last night she has tried to reach him, but his phone is off. Even the message she sent last night was not answered at all by Sean until now.

"Sister, brother Sean must be disappointed in me. I could feel it." Keira buried her head between her knees and sighed a few times deeply to free her stuffy chest. "What to do, sis?" She continued without lifting her head.

Rose chuckled at her cousin. She rubs her back gently.

"Don’t worry, brother Sean will not say anything to uncle. As long as you shut your mouth, you will be fine."

"But, why didn’t brother Sean answer my phone call and reply to my text?"

Keira raised her head and looked at Rose with teary eyes. She was feeling depressed now.

"Maybe he is at work. You know, brother Sean’s job, right?" She paused for a while.

After Rose saw Keira nod, she continued, "As far as I know, they won’t hold their cell phones when they’re on duty. So, it’s likely that brother Sean doesn’t have his cell phone now."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It would be best if you stopped your pointless prejudice, Keira. Brother Sean will never betray you. The most important thing now is you have to watch your attitude, young lady! Or you will expose your own secret in front of your father."

Keira ponders for a moment. After some time, she let out another long sigh. She felt like an idiot. How stupid!

"Okay! Stop feeling pressured. It’s New Year, you should be happy..." Rose stood up and pulled Keira to follow her out of the room. "I have to go upstairs. There’s something I want to do."

Before Rose left the room, Keira held her back. "Sis, is everything alright?"

"Huh!? Of course. I’m alright, even happy." She smiled.

"I mean, have you read about the gossip outside?" She whispered. Worried someone might hear. "About brother Evan and that bitch Carla Miller?"

Suddenly Rose’s smile disappeared. "I’m fine. I trust my husband." She said calmly.

Keira felt relieved. Since yesterday she was worried Rose would be angry with the news circling around the media and social media recently.

"Now I understand. Why Brother Evan won’t reveal his true identity." Keira bitterly laughed before she continued, "Because there will be a lot of delusional women out there who would use an opportunity like this to bring him down."

"Yeah, I know." Rose agrees with Keira. This is one of Evan’s reasons for hiding his identity. "Alright, I have to go now..." Rose left.

Previously she wanted to go upstairs to collect presents for her parents and grandpa. But because Keira has reminded her about that gossip news, she changes her direction. Rose needs to see Oliver. She needed to talk to him.

She wanted to ask him to do something with the gossip news. She knows Oliver has a powerful computer virus to handle such a thing.

Chapter 444: Temporary Hide

In a hotel room in New York.

Carla Miller was pacing in her room. Occasionally she would check her cell phone only to see gossip news about her and Evan.

Right now, she was panicking. A few hours ago, the news that had made Astington excited had now disappeared without a trace.

Carla felt something strange about the disappearance of all the gossip about her and Evan on the internet. When she typed Evan Collins’ name on Google, her cell phone automatically got a virus and couldn’t be used. It happened again when she was using her laptop.

The strangest thing is all of Evan’s photos on her cell phone disappeared. As if someone just deleted the photo. But she was sure no one could open her personal cell phone, not even her manager.

After pondering for a moment, her body suddenly froze.

"Omg!! Someone hacked my phone?" She felt her legs weak, knowing a hacker could access her phone. "This... This isn’t right!! Did Evan pay a hacker to suppress this story?" She is sitting on the sofa.

Since she realized something was happening with the gossip news, she tried to call Willard Harper, but that man didn’t answer her call. Now, she was afraid. She needs someone to talk to. She’s alone in her room while her manager is nowhere to be found. Since this afternoon, her manager has had a personal agenda.

Carla was stressed because her manager had been away for so long. She left early in the morning, and now that the sun had set for so long, she hadn’t returned.

Annoyed, Carla Miller threw away her cell phone on the table and lay down on the sofa, trying to calm her mind. This was the first time she felt so irritated and scared simultaneously. What’s more, she is away from her home.

****

Two hours earlier.

Willard Harper was standing on the seafront, not far from the hotel where he was staying. His face looked grim. He had tried several times to call someone, but that person was not answering his calls.

This is weird. Because that person wasn’t usually like this, making him wait. He could pick it up on the second or third ring. But now? He’s already called that person fifteen times, but still, no one picks up his phone call.

Is he okay there?

All the gossip about Evan Collins suddenly disappeared with the strange thing that happened earlier. He started to suspect something had happened to his hacker.

How could the news be lost if he paid a powerful hacker to keep it all from someone who tried to turn it down!?

"Pick up your phone, brother! I need you to do something." Willard muttered as he stopped his step. His eyes are sharp looking at the city light — The skyscrapers visible in the distance look beautiful at night.

After a few moments of staring at the analog phone in his hand, he decided to try it. This is his last chance, as his phone’s battery was running low.

He redialed the number and expected the result to be the same. The man would not answer his calls. But, to his surprise, on the last ring, he heard a familiar voice on the other end.

Still, he felt something was wrong. His tone was bizarre like he was afraid someone would overhear their conversation—he whispered and didn’t greet him like usual.

Willard suddenly felt tense. He guessed their conversation was being intercepted. He decides to play safe and tries not to say his name.

"You finally picked up! What happened?"

"Dude, listen. This is the last time I will pick up your phone and use this number." The male voice was low. However, Willard could hear some noise in the background. Is he in a public place?

Willard was shocked. This man has never gone to a crowded place like this.

"What happened? The news disappeared. Someone messed with you?" asked Willard carefully.

"Yes! There was a powerful asset behind that man. All my defenses are now gone. My career in this field is over. I won’t be able to return anytime soon."

This was the first time he had encountered a hacker on par with himself, or perhaps the hacker was a level above him. He couldn’t hide from him. The hacker can be found at his original location in just a few hours.

Even though he has millions of ways to escape the hacker’s pursuit, he still gets caught. He was forced to destroy everything he had so far. The programs he created, his client’s tracks, everything — he decided to go into hiding for the time being.

Willard was shocked to hear that. So Evan has a powerful hacker. More so than his hacker? He never expected this.

"What about me?" Willard asked.

"Relax. You don’t need to worry. I will never sell you out. Consider this a form of returning my favor to you since you helped me once. However, this is the last time we will keep in touch. Now, we don’t owe each other anymore."

Willard’s knees felt weak. He tightened his grip on the phone as he listened to his hacker continue his words.

"I advise you to disappear. Never get involved with that man again. He is someone you can’t deal with. Destroy any gadget or document you have related to me, including this analog cell phone. If there is a miracle, maybe we can meet again. Well, if that man doesn’t find me. Because if he finds me, I will become a corpse."

Soon the connection ends.

Willard stared at the analog cell phone in his hand. After thinking for a few seconds, he threw the phone into the sea.

If Evan can find his powerful hacker, sooner or later, Evan will find him too. For now, his identity will be safe. As long as his hacker doesn’t reveal it.

"Fuck you, Evan Collins!! I will never be afraid of you. And I will never give up on her. Rose Wilson is mine. Only I can have her."

He took his personal cell phone from his coat. Then, dial a specific number.

Chapter 445: Unstable Emotions

He took his personal cell phone from his coat. Then, dial a specific number.

"Lee, go to my room and pack everything."

"Huh! Why?"

"What the fuck, Lee! Why do you always ask whenever I ask you? Please, listen and do what I ask!" Willard’s face turned red, feeling angry at his idiot manager.

Lee was shocked. Why is this man annoyed again?

After taking a deep breath to calm his anger, Willard continued, "Gather my things and move to another hotel. And tomorrow morning, you will return to Astington."

"How about you?" Lee is starting to worry. Did something happen to his boss?

"I’ll be staying here for a bit. You don’t have to look for me because I’ll be turning off my phone. I’ll call you as soon as I land in Astington. And cancel all my work in January, telling them I’m not feeling well and needed to recover. If they want us to pay the fine, pay according to the contract...."

After turning off his cell phone, he immediately left the location. He stopped a taxi that was passing in the area.

"Sir, please take me to the airport!" Willard ordered.

This was the first time Willard felt blessed because he had never left his passport in the hotel room. He always carried it for security purposes. That way, he could go straight to the airport without worrying if something like this happened.

Now, he will go somewhere to temporarily hide from Evan Collins. That son of the bitch!

****

At Nicholas Spencer’s house,

Rose entered her father’s study and saw Evan and the rest seriously chatting. She approached them.

"Wife? Do you need me?" Evan asked when he saw Rose enter the room.

Rose didn’t say anything but lowered her head and whispered something to him. After she saw Evan nod, she looked at Oliver.

"Oliver, can you follow me outside?" Oliver frowned at Rose, "I have something to talk to you about work. Quick, follow me..." after she saw Oliver stand up from his seat, she waved to the others and left the room.

Soon Rose and Oliver were sitting in the lounge on the second floor.

"Damn you, Rose Spencer!! You’re such a bully, eh!? It’s the holidays, and you want to talk to me about work?"

Oliver crossed his arms over his chest while turning his gaze, looking outside the window. He is reluctant to speak to her about work. He was fatigued after closing their year-end report.

He rarely returns to his apartment during the last 10 days before the new year. He buries himself in the office with James and the others. Luckily Rose renovated one floor like an apartment so they could live in if they had to work overtime.

Rose chuckled slightly at this stupid Oliver, "It’s not about work!"

Oliver turned his gaze to Rose. He suddenly felt tense remembering what happened last night; Sean Spencer knows about his relationship with Keira. He could sense Sean was unhappy with their relationship. Sean avoided him and Keira, he left this house after their confession.

Did Sean Spencer expose them to his family, and now Rose wants to talk about it?

"About what?" He carefully asked. His hands clenched on his knees, waiting for Rose to continue.

"About the gossip out there. I think someone’s deliberately gossiping about my husband with that bitch, Carla Miller."

Oliver felt a little relieved after hearing her sentence.

"Oh, I’ve read it. But what do you want me to do?"

"I need you to clean up that mess out there like you did last year with the Willard Harper incident..."

Oliver smiled at her. Looks like this girl hasn’t checked her cell phone yet.

News about Evan disappeared from the internet and social media since last night. He was involved in this case — he gave his master his virus to attack everyone who types ’Evan Collins’ name on a search engine.

This morning Oliver tried to contact his master and wanted to ask him about the case, but his master did not answer his call. Looks like his master is still busy dealing with this case.

Oliver could guess the hacker who messed with his boss wasn’t ordinary. Maybe that person had the same skills as his teacher.

The night before he came to this place, he tried to delete the news but failed.

Oliver wanted to take the hacker more seriously, but he didn’t have much time and came to this place instead.

"Oliver, please. You must help me handle this problem. I need you to erase the gossip for me. Don’t say you can not!"

"Sorry, Boss. But I can not!"

"What!? Why can’t you? Aren’t you a powerful hacker? How can’t handle this simple task?" Rose felt strange hearing Oliver’s answer.

"Well, I am a powerful hacker." He smiles proudly.

She frowned. Does this man want to demand payment from her? Fine! He would receive a hefty amount of money if he could take care of the news.

"So you want to ask for the payment? Don’t worry... I will give you money as you wish." Rose didn’t want gossip about Evan to still appear on the internet. Worried, her father and mother read the news.

Oliver, "..."

How could this girl think of him like that? He’s not the kind of person who’s going to charge her for his hacking fees, okay!?

"Stupid Rose, do you have a cell phone?"

"What!? Why are you calling me stupid? Did you hear what I said!?" Rose was feeling tired of talking to this idiot. If she knew how to hack, she wouldn’t bother asking him for help.

"Hahaha... you indeed stupid, Rose Spencer!" Oliver’s laughter made Rose glare at him. He smirked before continuing, "Stupid Rose, why are you asking this again? You can look up the news with your cell phone, right?"

Rose glared at him for a moment, wanting to hit him with her gaze, but a second later, she realized something. She immediately took her cell phone, she was about to search for news on google, but suddenly Oliver asked her to stop.

"Screw you, Oliver Hester!! Why are you stopping me again? Didn’t you ask me to check the news?"

Rose couldn’t contain her anger anymore. This idiot Oliver challenged her. If only her hand didn’t hurt, she would have asked for a duel with him. She wanted to teach this man a lesson.

Gosh!

"God, please, can you strike this person for me?" She prayed in her heart while her eyes cast to him without blinking.

"You can check. But... don’t type your husband’s name. Your cellphone will be damaged if you do that!" Oliver laughed when he saw Rose flinch in surprise.

This girl is very temperamental.

Oliver had heard that pregnant women have unstable emotions.

"Is she pregnant?" He wondered in shock.