Chapter 52 She Is Safe
Evelyn’s POV
I didn’t tell Lorenzo about my plan to see Daisy, because I know him too well for that. He hated kids, and I doubt he would agree to anything that would link me to any member of my family again. So lying about wanting to resume work was the only option I had left. It was the safest excuse, and the only reasonable way he could allow me to leave the house.
Lorenzo’s hand on my wrist kept me grounded, reminding me of his presence. Every step I took toward the entrance made my stomach twist tighter. I wasn’t sure if it was nerves, fear, or anger that had me so tense. Maybe all three.
We passed the reception, the smell of antiseptic sharp in my nose. Nurses and doctors moved around, busy with their tasks, completely unaware of the storm I carried into the hospital with me. Or maybe they were aware, I couldn’t tell. I kept my head down, forcing myself to breathe in the cold, clinical air.
Lorenzo’s presence was heavy beside me. I could feel him watching, calculating.
We reached the nurse’s station, and I paused, taking a deep breath. This was it. I was back. Back in my element, back in the world I had been a part of before all of Lorenzo’s chaos.
“Evelyn?” a familiar voice called. It was faintly cautious, mixed with curiosity. I looked up to see Nurse Tina, the head nurse, glancing at me over the counter. She was busy but somehow managed to make her concern show.
I straightened, smoothing my dress and forcing a professional smile. “Good morning, Nurse Tina.”
Her eyes flicked to Lorenzo, then back to me. “And…. you’re with him?” She asked lowering her voice to avoid Lorenzo hearing.
“Yes,” I said simply. No explanation. No apologies. My mind was too busy calculating. Every word I spoke, every motion I made had to count. I wasn’t here to socialize. I was here to find Elena. And if Lorenzo had to be my guard or my threat then he had to stay.
“Alright,” she said cautiously, stepping aside to let me pass. “Your schedule hasn’t changed. You’re still assigned to the urology ward today.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
As we walked down the corridor, the muted conversations of doctors faded into a dull background hum. My mind was already spinning ahead, thinking of Elena. Where was she? How was she? And most importantly, where did she keep Daisy?
I kept my eyes forward, pretending to focus on the floor, but every step was calculated. Every glance, every breath, every movement had to look normal. Like I belonged here. And like I wasn’t on a mission that could get Lorenzo mad again.
“Where exactly do you plan on starting?” Lorenzo’s voice was quiet, low.
I kept walking, letting my hand brush against the wall lightly. “The urology wing,” I said. “That’s where I usually worked before you took me away.”
He didn’t respond immediately. His eyes though, never left me. That was dangerous in itself. Lorenzo’s gaze wasn’t just observant, it was piercing.
We reached the elevator, and I pressed the button, watching the numbers climb as we rose to the right floor. My stomach felt tight, almost painful, but I reminded myself, I had survived worse. I had survived everything Lorenzo had thrown at me. I could survive this even if he finds out.
The doors slid open, and the hallway stretched out before us, filled with patience mumbling and their guest soft laughter.
“Stay close,” I murmured, more to myself than to Lorenzo. My fingers twitched at the edge of my dress, maybe from the fear of what I know he would do if he finds out that I had only wanted to come here because I want to be close to a family.
We reached the urology wing, and I stopped outside one of the nurses’ stations. Elena’s name was scribbled on a small plaque on the wall, bold enough. My heart jumped. There she was.
I approached slowly, trying to look casual, professional. “Elena,” I called softly, forcing my voice to remain steady.
Her head snapped up, eyes widening in surprise. “Evelyn?” she said, her tone a mixture of suprise and confusion.
I forced a smile, hiding the relief that settled inside me. “Yes. It’s me.”
She glanced past me at Lorenzo, then back at me, her brow furrowing. “And…. he’s with you again?”
“Yes,” I said simply. “He insisted.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t ask questions. I didn’t expect her to suddenly like Lorenzo or welcome him with open arms every time she sees him, the urge of challenging him was obvious in her features. But she also knew better than to confront him directly.
“Evelyn,” she said carefully, her voice dropping so only I could hear. “What….. What happened? I waited for you all day?”
I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “I know….and I’m sorry for putting you all through that stress, my escape didn't work out as planned.”
I told her about everything, how I had escaped, the one chance cab, the run and the catch. How Lorenzo is still punishing Nolan for my own mistakes, every hell I passed through yesterday.
Her expression shifted immediately, a mixture of sadness and understanding. “God. I was just worried….Daisy.”
My heart jumped at the mention of the name.
“Tell me the truth,” I said firmly, my hand brushing over the counter, grounding myself. “Is she safe?
Elena swallowed hard. Her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted the papers on the desk. “Yes….But.” She glanced at Lorenzo again, making sure he wasn’t listening too closely.
“But, what?,” I said, my tone leaving no room for jokes. “Go straight to the point, did you take her back to the hospital?” I stopped myself. I couldn’t let my panic show. Not here, not now.
Elena nodded slowly, her eyes flicking to Lorenzo once more. He had been standing silently, quiet but observant, and I could feel the tension radiating off him. I didn’t like that he was watching, but I couldn’t do this without him here.
“Nothing that serious,” she whispered finally. “Just that she woke up yesterday and has been asking of you.”
My breath nearly cut short, a wild mix of relief, tension, and tears all tangled in my throat.
“Oh my,” I gasped, pressing my palm strongly on my heart. I gave her a small, reassuring smile. “God. Elena, I need to see her right away.”
“I know.” She held my hands. “But it can’t be possible with him around.”
Guilt washed over me. Daisy had slept for months, trapped in that forced coma, and every quiet prayer I’d whispered, hoping for the day she’d wake, had been stolen straight out of my hands by Lorenzo.
I wondered if the attack would return, those terrifying storms when her autism spikes so violently the doctors have no choice but to let her sleep for months.
And now she’s finally awake. Without me.
She must think I abandoned her. That I’m a terrible sister who couldn’t stand by her baby girl on the day she came back.
“Elena, you need to help me….anyhow, I need to see her.”
She nodded, her hands trembling slightly. “Don’t bother yourself that much, she will be fine.”
I felt my hands ball into fists. “I feel so bad, I have Daisy to protect and now? Nolan.”
Elena exhaled, her expression melting into something pitiful. “It’s fine, Eve. I will be here with you all through.” She took my hands into hers, brushing my skin with her thumb. “Very soon the year will run down, and you will get back your life.”
I drew in a long breath. “I hope so too.”
We continued talking about our next steps, and Lorenzo sat off to the side in a waiting chair, rigid and cold, scrolling his phone like a guard on duty.
Then, an intern in a matching blue scrub entered with a file. “Hi.” We exchanged greetings.
She offered me the file. “This is the patient you will be seeing next.”
I took it from her, scanned across the file and my eyes caught a name that rang a bell in my mind. Just when I was about to mention it he strode in.
“Logan?”