Elena immediately stepped away.
Creating distance between them.
Safer that way.
Easier that way.
Because if she looked back now...
She wasn't entirely sure she'd be able to leave.
And today—
For Anders—
She had to leave.
Even if it meant letting Alaric believe the worst.
The hospital corridors blurred around Elena as she hurried through them.
Her footsteps echoed against polished floors.
For once, she didn't care about appearances.
Didn't care about who saw her.
Didn't care about anything except reaching him.
Anders.
The name alone was enough to make her chest tighten.
By the time she reached the private room, she was already breathless.
The door stood slightly open.
Elena pushed it wider and stepped inside.
"Kaya?"
The young woman sitting beside the bed immediately looked up.
She looked exhausted.
Dark circles shadowed her eyes.
Her petite frame appeared even smaller beneath the oversized sweater she wore.
