Chapter 12(Adrian P.O.V)

I stepped quietly into Nina’s ward and moved to her bedside.

“Nina,” I murmured.

Her eyes fluttered open, soft and tired. “Hey, Adrian,” she whispered.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, brushing my hand gently against her cheek.

“Much better than before,” she said, giving me a faint smile.

I sat beside her and took a long breath. “Just hang on, Nina. I’ll get the money for your surgery very soon.”

“It’s my fault, anyway,” she murmured.

I turned to her, confused. “How is any of this your fault?”

She sighed weakly. “Because I’m not… normal. I’ve had asthma since I was little. You were always the one worrying about me. And when Mom died, you started taking part‑time jobs just to pay for my meds and inhalers. Now I’ve ended up with a weak lung. If I die, I won’t regret anything, Ad. I’d die in peace. I’ll watch over you from heaven, and when it’s time to choose a sibling again, I’ll pick you. This time, I’ll be the older sister so I can worry about you.”

She lifted a shaky hand and cupped my cheek. My eyes blurred instantly, I didn’t want her to see.

“Don’t talk like that,” I whispered, placing my hand over hers. “You’re my sister. You’re my responsibility too. And I’m going to get that money, no matter what.”

Her tears slipped silently down her face, and when she cried, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I leaned forward and let the pain break through me. If Nina died, everything inside me would go with her.

“We’ll be fine,” I said, kissing her forehead. “You should rest.”

She nodded weakly.

“I’m not going home tonight. I’ll stay close. If you need me, I’m right here.”

“I love you, Adrian,” Nina breathed.

“I love you too,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Try to sleep.”

I stepped out of the ward and headed to my office on the 13th floor. I washed up, brushed my teeth, showered, changed into fresh clothes. I was exhausted, but sleep wouldn’t come. My mind kept circling back to Nina… and Tori.

Eventually, I gave up trying. I needed to talk to someone. Even her.

I got into the elevator and went down to Room 16. The hall was empty, the bodyguards had all gone home. Relief washed over me. I slipped into the room and walked to her side.

She was back in that d@mn glass cage.

I went to the drip and stopped the flow. I waited. As expected, after a few seconds, her eyes opened.

She looked so weak it physically hurt.

“I can’t take this anymore, Adrian,” she whispered. “I’m dying.”

Her voice trembled.

“Get me out of here…”

She was breaking. I moved without thinking and pulled her into a warm embrace. She stiffened, surprised, tried to push me away, but I held her gently.

“Hang on, Tori,” I murmured, rocking her slightly.

She crumpled against me and began to cry.

“It’s going to be okay,” I whispered.

My phone rang, vibrating sharply against the silence. Jack’s name flashed on the screen. I switched it off and stroked Tori’s back.

“I have a plan,” I told her.

She sniffed and pulled back a little. “What plan?”

“When I came in, the bodyguards weren’t around. I can get you out tonight. We’ll go somewhere far, somewhere safe. Then we gather evidence and lock Dr. Kingston and Zayn up.”

Relief flickered across her face. “That’s… good,” she said, actually smiling.

“Your phone?” she asked.

I turned it back on and handed it to her. She dialed a number and spoke rapidly in Spanish. After a few seconds, she nodded and hung up.

“I’ve sent the money,” she said with a small smile. “I trust you won’t do anything stupid.”

“Thank you for the money. I won’t hurt you,” I said, bowing slightly.

A message came in immediately, confirmation of the transfer.

“Get me out of here, Adrian,” she whispered.

“I will,” I promised.

I pulled her into my arms again. This time, she didn’t resist. She rested her head against my chest, fitting perfectly against me. Too perfectly.

What on earth was this woman doing to me?

CHAP