He was going to be okay.
The truth of it cracked something open inside her, and suddenly the tears wouldn’t stop.They came fast and hot, sliding down her face unchecked.
She pressed her forehead briefly to the back of Kayne’s hand and breathed, letting the moment take her where it needed to.
When the door opened, she startled and swiped at her cheeks.Anja and Leo stepped inside with the quiet awareness of people who understood exactly what kind of moment they were walking into.
“You don’t have to move,” Leo said immediately, hands up in surrender.
Chloe shook her head, easing to her feet anyway.She bent and brushed a soft kiss against Kayne’s cheek, then gently set his hand back on the bed.
Leo hugged her fiercely, and she felt the terror he’d lived through when Aiden had her.She hated that he’d had to endure it, but she was so grateful he was here with her now.Anja embraced her next, and it was quick but reassuring.
“I just—” her voice wobbled.She cleared her throat.“I need a second.”
They stepped into the hallway together, the door clicking shut behind them.
Anja leaned against the wall, arms crossed, posture relaxed but eyes alert as always.“He’s stable,” she said.“Doctors say he’ll be fine.”
Chloe nodded, another rush of tears threatening.“Thank you.For everything.For him.”
Anja dipped her chin once.“Police are handled for now, but you’re going to need to talk to them.Aiden said things to you we need documented.”
“I know,” Chloe said quietly.The weight of it settled back onto her shoulders.“I’ll tell them everything.”
Leo squeezed her arm.“We’ll be there with you.”
She nodded again, grateful beyond words.
“Will you watch over him?There’s something I need to do.”
“Of course,” Anja said.
Leo gave her another quick hug.
Chloe stepped away, her feet carrying her down the hall almost of their own volition.
Danica’s room was quiet when she slipped inside.Her sister lay pale against the white sheets, an IV line taped neatly to her arm and saline dripping steadily into her system.Severe dehydration, the doctor had said.Not life-threatening, but close enough to scare Chloe all over again.
Danica turned her head when Chloe entered, eyes filling immediately.
“I didn’t know if you’d come,” she whispered.
Chloe pulled a chair closer and sat.“Of course I came.”
They sat in silence for a few seconds, the air heavy with unspoken words.
Danica broke first.
“I was jealous,” she said, her voice flat with exhaustion and stripped bare.There was no hint of defensiveness or pleading.“So jealous it made me ugly inside.I hated watching you succeed while I felt like I was disappearing.I was insecure and ashamed.And instead of dealing with it, I took it out on you.”
Chloe stayed silent.
“I altered the picture and left it on your car,” she said quietly.“I told myself it was harmless.That I was just leveling the field.”A bitter huff of a laugh escaped her.“It wasn’t.”
Chloe’s breath hitched, but she didn’t interrupt.
“And after I met Kayne ...”Danica swallowed hard.“That’s when I snapped.I saw the way you looked at him and how he looked at you.”Her eyes flicked up, shiny.“I followed you that night.I don’t even remember deciding to hit you.I just did.I tried to scare you.”
