Chapter 161: The New Threat
The hospital hallway smelled of antiseptic and grief.
Jean walked briskly, a nurse guiding her and Logan toward the intensive care unit. Her heart pounded in her chest like it was being chased. She hadn’t stopped trembling since Henry’s call. The cold fluorescent lights above did nothing to stop the burning in her chest.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself, shielding her bandaged hands, though the pain had nothing to do with her wounds. They hadn’t even fully healed, yet misfortune found her again, this time snatching the one person she loved deeply... until now.
Emma.
Her cousin. Her friend. The one person who always stood by her.
They reached the end of the corridor. The nurse stepped aside.
Jean’s eyes locked onto the ICU room through the glass. Emma was lying unconscious, wrapped in layers of gauze, tubes attached to her, face bruised and partially burned. Machines beeped rhythmically, as if fighting to hold on for her when her body could not.
Jean took one step back. The floor beneath her feet felt unsteady.
Logan placed a steadying hand on her back.
She stepped forward again. She had to.
Inside, she sat beside the bed, hands clenched on her lap. Emma looked so fragile... nothing like the fiery girl who once argued over window seats in Logan’s jet, or who teased Jean relentlessly about Logan’s brooding affection.