Chapter 27

Chapter 27
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“Alright, Monroe. Let’s make this official,” she said, snapping her fingers at Murphy, who fished out a notepad. “Tell me exactly what happened at the Brody farmhouse. Word for word. Don’t leave out a detail. You’re such a crusader for the truth, after all.”

Her tone made the hairs on the back of my neck prickle.

I drew a breath, forcing my voice to stay calm“We found Lila at the Brody farmhouse. She was attacked by a masked man—same one who’s been haunting this town. He cut her airway, left her bleeding out on the floor. If Evan and I hadn’t been there, she’d be dead.”

Murphy’s pen scratched, but Quinn’s eyes shone with something I didn’t like.

“So,” she drawled, “masked intruder. Broke into an old house in the middle of nowhere. Violent encounter. Young girl nearly killed. Sounds to me like… attempted robbery gone wrong.”

My head snapped toward her. “Robbery?”

She shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “What else would some armed vagrant want in an abandoned house? Easy target. Poor kid got in the way.”

i felt anger rise up in me instantly
“Robbery?” My voice broke sharp enough that heads in the waiting room turned. I surged up from my chair, fis“She’s a twenty-year-old orphan living in a crumbling farmhouse with nothing but grief! Why the hell would anyone break in to steal?”

I saw the flicker in her eyes—she liked watching me lose control. She thrived on it.

Before I could lunge across the room, Evan’s hand closed tight around my arm. His grip was fir “Claire. Enough.”

I struggled against him, but the calmness in his eyes caught me. He wasn’t pleading, just holding me back from going too far. His voice dropped low so only I could hear. “Don’t give her the satisfaction.”

I jerked free, but I stayed calm. Quinn lifted her brows, she looked victorious.

That was when the double doors opened, and Dr. Cross stepped out, peeling off his gloves. His coat was streaked with blood, but his expression was composed.

He scanned the room and asked, “Which of you is family? I need to update a relative on Lila’s condition.”

“Excuse me,” he said walking back into the lobby,l. “Who’s here as a relative for Lila Brody?”

The question landed like a stone in water. There was suddenly silence in the lobby.

Evan stepped forward first, clearing his throat. “She’s… she’s an orphan, Doctor. No family left.”

My heart thudded. I could feel everyone’s eyes turning. Without thinking, I blurted, “I’m a distant relative.”

Every face in the lobby turned toward me, disbelief written plain. Even Evan’s jaw tensed. Everyone knew it was bullshit.

Dr. Cross didn’t flinch, didn’t blink—just studied me with his eyes “Miss…” he began carefully, “hospital protocol requires next of kin. I can’t disclose patient information without it.”

“Listen to me,” I hissed “She’s lying in there because someone wanted her dead. If you think I’m going to stand here and play paperwork games while she’s hanging by a thread, you’re out of your damn mind. You will tell me how she’s doing, or I swear—”

“Claire.” Evan said

Cross exhaled slowly, He was like a man too used to dealing with people who thought rage could bend rules. He gave me a long look. Then he said, “Come with me.”

He gestured toward the hall.

For a moment ,i hesitated. Evan started to follow, but I shook my head, flicking him a quick nod. Stay. I could handle this.

I followed Dr. Cross down the hall, away from the eyes, away from Quinn’s smirk.

The door to his office clicked shut behind us. The air smelled faintly of coffee. Cross sank into the chair behind his desk.

He began, “She’s in critical condition. The airway you improvised was unstable. She lost significant blood volume before arrival. Her oxygen saturation was dangerously low—”

I suddenly felt dizzy at his words

“—and there’s risk of infection,” he continued. “Her pulse is weak. Her body’s under immense stress.”

I gripped the back of a chair Every word felt like another nail sealing the coffin.

Then his tone shifted. “But. We stabilized her. The tube’s been replaced. She’s on fluids, oxygen, and her vitals are holding. She’s unconscious, but barring complications, she should recover.”

My breath left me in a shaky rush. “So she’s…”

“She’ll live,” he confirmed. “She’ll need monitoring. She may not wake for several hours, but you’ll be able to see her in the evening. For now, she needs rest. And so do you.”

I pressed both hands to my face. Relief washed through me I’d saved her. Mason’s sister. Against all odds, I’d bought her time.

“Thank you,” I whispered. Cross gave a brief nod

\-----

The lobby had emptied. The curious town folk were gone. Quinn and her deputies had vanished too, no doubt to twist tonight’s events into something convenient for their files.

“Well?” he asked.

“She’s going to make it.”

A grin broke across his face. He laughed, there was pure relief spilling out of him. Before I could react, he was on his feet, pulling me into his arms.

I froze—but then i leaned into the hug, hugging him back just as fiercely. For a moment, we held on too long, both of us clinging to each other.

When I finally realized how close we were, I drew back abruptly. Heat rose in my cheeks. He cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck.

“I really appreciate everything you did,” I said softly. “You didn’t owe me. Or Lila. Anything.”

A crooked grin tugged at his mouth. “Guess I’m just a sucker for feisty women.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “Lucky me.”

The clock ticked on the The time was 6am and The adrenaline from earlier finally faded and My body ached with exhaustion. I was sure Ethan felt the same way.

I snorted, but the smile tugged at me anyway. “We should get some rest. God knows I need sleep. But—” I said. “We need to talk. About Mason. Lydia. All of it. Last night proved it. This is bigger than i thought.”

Evan nodded. “I’ll be here. Evening. Same spot. You bring the coffee, I’ll bring the vibes”

“Deal.” I exhaled . Then I asked, “Where can I drop you?”