Page 134 of Axis of Fire

“Three people from the Earth Division will be assigned to you,” he said, turning toward Gwen. “They’re sorting out temporary housing right now. Once we return from the hospital, I’ll introduce you.”

“Maybe one of them could stay in my room?” I asked without thinking.

Gwendolyn frowned immediately.

“No point leaving it empty.”

“I’m afraid your pink disaster might traumatize them,” Airis raised a brow.

I shot him a sharp glare.

“What? They might consider it punishment.” He shrugged carelessly.

I rolled my eyes, snatched the basket from his hands, and headed toward the checkout counter.

******

An hour and a half later, after dropping Gwendolyn off at her business meeting, Airis and I followed a woman in a white coat through the long, sterile hospital corridors.

Every inch of the place seemed soaked in that sharp antiseptic smell I absolutely hated.

It always dragged me back to memories of my parents’ betrayal.

And I wasn’t strong enough to forgive them for it.

Resentment had always been my cage.

I carried it with me everywhere.

Never letting it go.

“You know,” Airis said quietly, slowing his pace to match mine, “your friends seem like good people.”

“They’re the best,” I sighed, trying to distract myself from the storm of emotions twisting inside me.

It felt like every feeling I’d spent years suppressing had suddenly broken free, all fighting for dominance.

“I want to remind you that you can trust me,” Airis continued softly. “Not just physically, but emotionally too.”

“Oh, obviously. I figured that out the moment you offered to keep me supplied with pads,” I muttered, trying to lighten the heaviness in my chest.

It didn’t really work.

“Sometimes I say the wrong things,” Airis admitted. “But offering to make sure you have what you need isn’t one of them.”

When I didn’t answer, he glanced at me again.

“Nervous about the conversation?”

I exhaled slowly.

“I just… don’t want to see them,” I admitted quietly.

We turned another corner, and I noticed the nurse finally stop in front of a door.

With a soft smile, she pushed it open and glanced back at us.

“Only twenty minutes. They need their rest,” she said in an overly sweet voice.