Chapter 161 Chapter 161
Chapter 161 Chapter 161
Morning arrived under the same heavy sky. Mia woke to the sound of rain still working against the windows, softer than the night before but steady enough that the first thing she did was reach for her phone and check the local road alerts. The warnings had not been lifted. Several main routes remained closed or listed as high risk for residual flooding. Travel was still not advised.
Sophia was already awake in the other half of the bed, scrolling through the same updates on her own phone.
“We’re not going anywhere today,” Sophia said without looking up. “The roads are still a mess. They’re saying maybe tomorrow if the rain actually stops and the water recedes.”
Mia stared at the ceiling for a moment, then carefully sat up and reached for the boot. “So we stay another day.”
“Sure we have to stay another day.” Sophia locked her phone and finally looked at her. “Better than getting stranded halfway with a broken leg.”
Downstairs the house smelled like coffee and Laura had already set out mugs and was listening to the radio for weather updates while Mark stood at the front window with his arms crossed, watching the street like it might change its mind if he stared hard enough. When Mia and Sophia came down, Laura only pointed at the chairs and poured coffee.
“The roads are still closed,” Mark said. “I called the county line earlier. They’re not clearing the main stretch until they’re sure about the runoff. You’re here until tomorrow at the earliest.”
Mia nodded. She had already expected it, but the confirmation still sat heavily. Another full day in the house. Another full day away from the mansion while Kai recovered from whatever Veronica had given him. She was halfway through the coffee when her phone rang. Victoria’s name filled the screen. Mia answered on speaker and set the phone on the table so she wouldn’t have to repeat anything.
“Victoria.”
“Good morning.” Victoria’s voice was clear and professional, the kind she used when she had already been awake for hours. “I’m back at the house. I came early to check on him.”
Mia’s fingers tightened around her mug.
“How is he?”
“He woke briefly around five. He was able to get up with assistance, freshen up, and eat a small amount of food. He’s still very groggy and the medication hasn’t fully cleared his system, but the doctor who assessed him last night said this is within the expected window. He’s resting in the bedroom again now and his vitals are stable. He’s not in danger, he’s just… under it still.”
Mia let out a breath she hadn’t fully realized she was holding. “He’s okay.”
“He’s okay and recovering. The doctor expects him to be more present by this evening or tomorrow morning, depending on how his body processes the rest of it.”
Sophia leaned closer to the phone. “And Veronica?”
“Security protocols have been rewritten. She will not get past the outer gate again under any circumstances. That is being handled as a separate matter. Right now the focus is Kai.”
Mia stared at the phone. “Can I see him?”
There was a short pause. “I can put you on video. He’s awake enough to know the phone is there, but I can’t promise conversation. He’s been very quiet.”
“Please.”
The call switched to video. Victoria’s face appeared first, then the camera turned. The familiar bedroom came into view the same walls, the same side of the bed Kai preferred. He was lying on his back, one arm resting across his stomach, the other at his side. His hair was slightly messy. His eyes were open but heavy-lidded, fixed somewhere near the ceiling rather than the phone.
Victoria’s voice came from behind the camera. “Kai. Mia’s on the line.”
He blinked once, slowly. His gaze shifted toward the phone but didn’t fully focus. For a moment it seemed like he might speak. His lips parted slightly, then closed again. He didn’t say anything. He only looked in the direction of the screen with the dull, distant expression of someone still swimming up from heavy sleep.
Mia leaned closer to her own phone, as if that would somehow close the distance. “Kai. It’s me.”
There was no answer. Just the slow rise and fall of his chest and the heavy, quiet way he watched the phone without reaching for it or speaking.
Victoria’s voice came again, softer. “He’s been like this when he surfaces. Present enough to follow simple instructions, not present enough for real conversation yet. The doctor said it’s normal given the strength of what he was given.”
Mia nodded even though Victoria couldn’t really see it. Her throat felt tight. “Okay. I just… needed to see him.”
“I know.” The camera stayed on Kai for another few seconds. He blinked again, still silent, then his eyes drifted closed once more. Victoria turned the phone back to herself. “I’ll keep you updated as he comes out of it more fully. For now, stay where you are. The roads on your side are still not safe, and even if the rain stops later today the runoff will need time to clear. Tomorrow is the realistic window.”
“Tomorrow,” Mia repeated.
“Yes, I’ll coordinate with you in the morning once we both have a better picture of the weather and his condition.”
The call ended and the kitchen felt very still afterward. Laura set a fresh piece of toast on the plate near Mia’s elbow without comment. Mark had stopped watching the street and was watching his daughter instead.
Sophia rested a hand on Mia’s forearm. “He’s safe and he’s at the house. Victoria is there, the securities too have tightened and remember? The doctor has already seen him and attended to him. That’s the important part.”
Mia stared at the dark screen of her phone. The image of Kai lying there awake enough to look at the camera, too far under to speak stayed behind her eyes.
“He didn’t say anything,” she said quietly.
“He will when he can.” Sophia squeezed her arm once and let go. “Today we wait out the weather and tomorrow we go when it’s actually safe. There’s nothing else to do from here.”
Laura finally spoke. “You’re both staying put. The storm doesn’t get a second chance at either of you.”
Mark nodded once. “Tomorrow. If the roads are clear and Victoria gives the green light.”