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“I don’t think the medication would’ve stopped him,” I say as I remember the day I ran away from him.

‘You’re not just a passing thought. You’re not just an obsession. This is deeper than obsession. This isn’t love. Because love is not enough of a word to describe how I feel about you.’

“I had no idea he was on medication,” I say. “Do you think that would’ve stopped the outcome of any of this?” I huff, gesturing around us and to my hospital gown.

“He hasn’t taken it for years. He thought I didn’t know. I suspected. I begged him to take it. If he did, his head would’ve at least been screwed on to think straight.” He clears his throat. “He loves you. You can literally feel it wafting off him. He’s never loved so intensely before.”

We both chuckle.

“The outcome? No. But maybe it would’ve saved him from going on a murder spree, and we could’ve found Luke earlier.”

“What’s done is done,” I comment. “There’s no way of changing what happened.”

Jacques comes to sit next to me, wrapping his arm around me, and I place my head on his shoulder.

I don’t know how long we’re like that, but by the time I wake up, it’s already morning.

The smell of coffee fills my nose as Jac returns from his venture to the hospital's coffee shop. Morning sunlight beams in through the window that we’ve been lucky enough to get in our section.

Jacques hands me my caramel latte with a weak smile.

“You should really go home and get some rest, Cam.”

I shake my head, letting the burning coffee scald my tongue as I take a sip.

To feel something. Anything other than emptiness. Life seems like it’s just lost all purpose.

I can’t remember the last time I thought about my studio.

“You think those surgeons in there are taking a break? Neither am I.”

He sighs and turns to the curtain, unveiling it to a casually dressed Nova and Axel. Axel wears his usual unreadable expression, while Nova smiles sympathetically. Jacques slides the curtain shut behind them and sits back in the chair.

Nova perches on the edge of the bed, her straight, long hair catching under her bottom. She pushes up, flicking her hair out of the way. “How is he?”

“They’re still operating,” I reply, swallowing down the lump in my throat.

“It’s been hours,” Axel comments, but I can hear a hint of nervousness beneath that. The tattoos on his neck twitch as he looks around the room.

Nova shakes her head. “Penelope’s been arrested. I think they might skip the trial thanks to Axel. Life imprisonment. He’s wiped any trace of you from the systems… all of you. That includes you, Camila.” She turns to Jacques behind us. “I won’t ask you for anything right now. I’m happy to take over Diamond Lounge for as long as you need.”

Jac nods, sipping his coffee quietly.

Everything is so quiet. So still.

“The club looks like nothing ever happened. Both of our teams took care of that. I thanked yours before they left,” Nova finishes, standing from the bed again. “You’re our family now. I hope Xander makes it out.”

I look up at her, her eyes swimming with sadness that seems familiar to her.

“How are you?” she asks. Her hand reaches out towards my shoulder, but she quickly pulls back. I know exactly what she’s asking.

“Fine.” I shrug. “Really.”

It’s the truth. The knowledge that I killed two people will always weigh heavy on me. But it’s two people who deserved it.

And with no news on Xander, I can’t find it in me to care anyway.

Her lips pull into a tight line as she nods.