Chapter 157
Adrian’s departure left behind a silence so thick it clung to the air like fog, suffocating and heavy.
Zara exhaled, forcing herself to breathe past the tightness in her ribs. Exhaustion was heavy on her like a chain, wrapping around her limbs, sinking into her bones. But even as fatigue threatened to pull her under, her grip on the blanket remained firm, her fingers curled around the fabric like a lifeline.
Leo was still pressed against her, his small body warm and trusting. He watched them both with wide, unblinking eyes, his tiny hands gripping the front of her shirt as if afraid she’d vanish.
At the foot of the bed, Winter stood rigid, his gaze locked on the door, as if expecting Adrian to return at any second. His jaw was tight, shoulders wound with tension, but it was the fury burning behind his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine.
Sam broke the silence first, exhaling a tired sigh. "Well, that went well."
Winter’s glare was immediate, sharp enough to cut through steel. "They won’t stop," he muttered, his voice low, laced with frustration. "We need to get out of here."
Zara’s fingers tightened around Winter’s wrist before she could stop herself. "Running isn’t an option yet," she said quietly. "We need answers first."
She felt the way he tensed beneath her grip, saw the flicker of frustration cross his face, but he didn’t argue. Because they both knew she was right. Adrian had too much leverage, too many eyes on them. If they ran now, they had nowhere to go. They’d be running blind—and that was a death sentence.
A nervous cough drew Zara’s attention to the medic still standing near the door. The woman looked torn, as if unsure whether she should stay or flee. Sam gave her a nod. "Go. You’ve done enough."
Relief flashed across the medic’s face as she all but scurried out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Sam rolled his shoulders. "I’ll handle the paperwork."
Zara knew what he really meant. He’d pull whatever strings necessary to get her discharged, but it would come with conditions. She swallowed her pride. If it meant getting out of here, she’d deal with it.