Chapter 18

Chapter 18. Sunlight slipped into the hospital corridor through the tall windows that were rarely cleaned, reflecting a faint light on the ceramic floor. Liora stood near the window, hugging herself, staring outside without really seeing anything. Nolan was still in the ICU. Still hanging on. Still the center of all the fear she had never voiced. Footsteps sounded behind her. Not hurried. Not hesitant. Liora recognized the rhythm even before Adrian stopped beside her. They stood side by side, shoulders almost touching, but there was an invisible distance that felt wider than the hallway itself. "I'm going to be gone for a while," Adrian finally said. "Taking care of a few things. I'll be back before the next visiting hours." Liora nodded without turning her head. "Go ahead." Her voice was flat. Not cold. Not angry. More like someone too tired to put any color into her words. Adrian stared at her, his jaw tense. His eyes looked empty but were actually full. He opened his mouth, closed i