Chapter 16(Adrian P.O.V)

She started shivering again. The poison was spreading faster now, and without the antidote, we were running out of time. Tori had slipped into a restless sleep, and Nina was still unconscious beside her. These two… they were the most important people in my life. I had to keep them safe.

Outside the jet window, the Eiffel Tower glowed faintly beneath us. We were in France.

As the pilot announced our landing, Nina’s eyes fluttered open. She scanned the cabin frantically until she found me. Relief washed over her face. I pressed a finger to my lips- she needed rest, not explanations.

Dr. Stevens had told me Nina’s surgery was successful, but she must not stress herself. Yet here we were, fleeing a country in the dead of night.

When we finally touched down, Tori’s condition had worsened drastically. Her once-bright blue eyes had dimmed, almost grey. I lifted Nina into my arms, and Tori followed weakly behind me as a black car pulled up on the tarmac.

The moment the mansion came into view, I froze. It was enormous- white walls, soaring pillars, and guards stationed everywhere. A place straight out of a fairytale.

The guards carried Nina inside and helped Tori in as well. The moment they left, I turned to her urgently.

“I have to get the antidote. Where is it?”

“We keep antidotes for almost everything here,” she whispered weakly. “Left wing… second door. You’ll recognize it.”

I sprinted through the hall, pushed open the door, and stopped dead. Shelves upon shelves of antidotes lined the walls. The poison she’d been infected with was green, turning black when mixed with water. I scanned frantically until my eyes landed on the right vial.

I raced back downstairs and pressed it to her lips. She drank slowly, then coughed violently before collapsing into sleep.

“She’ll be okay,” I told myself. She has to be.

The house had countless rooms, but one door- painted a soft blue- felt like hers. I carried her inside. The room was spacious, elegant, unmistakably fitting for her. I laid her on the bed, tucked her in, and kissed her forehead before slipping out quietly.

Next, I went to Nina’s room. She was awake, worry clouding her eyes. She tried speaking, but I gently stopped her.

“Nina… listen. I know you want answers.” She nodded. “I’ll tell you everything.”

Tori’s brother wanted her dead. She was nearly frozen to death when I found her. We pretended she had died so we could escape the hospital with you both. Ireland isn’t safe anymore. They’re looking for us- me, you, and especially Tori. Until this is over, we can’t go back.”

Nina moved closer and cupped my cheek gently. I pulled her into a hug, kissing her forehead softly.

“You have to stay indoors for now. I know you’d love to explore France, but it’s too dangerous. We’ll figure all this out, I promise.”

She nodded.

“You’ll meet Tori tomorrow when she wakes up. Please be kind to her. She’s cold sometimes, but she’s hurt—her own brother tried to kill her over inheritance.”

After making sure Nina was settled, I finally went to my room. My things had already been brought up. I showered, exhaustion settling deep in my bones, but sleep refused to come.

All I could think about was Zayn’s reaction when he discovered Tori was missing. And what would happen to me… to my career.

There was no returning to the hospital now. Not until Zayn and Dr. Kingston were behind bars.

“I lost my job,” I whispered into the quiet room.

My lifelong dream of becoming a doctor was slipping away.