Chapter 126
When I look up, Lilly’s glaring at me. “What the hell is going on, Noal p>
I exhale, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “The police were here earlier. They told us someone’s been trying to kill Sierra p>
Her jaw drops. “What p>
“They found out her brakes were tampered with. And the equipment that almost crushed her at work? that wasn’t an accident either p>
Lilly’s expression twists from disbelief to pure fury. “And you didn’t think to tell me this sooner p>
“I was p>
“You were what?” she snaps.
I clench my jaw.
“You knew she was in danger and you left her,” she hisses, her eyes burning with anger. “What the fuck is wrong with you p>
Her words tear into me like claws. And for once, I don’t defend myself. Because she’s right again. There was no excuse that would justify leaving her.
“You should have fucking told me,” she yells, her fists clenched. “I would have arranged for security p>
I run a hand through my hair, trying to keep my breathing steady. “I know,” I say quietly.
Fuck, why didn’t I think of that? No unauthorized person would have been able to get in had I arranged security detail for her.
Just as I finish that thought, another nurse rushes toward us, holding something small in her gloved hands. ” Doctor! I found this on the floor beside her bed.” 1
The doctor turns, frowning. “What is it p>
She holds up a syringe, half–filled with a faint yellow liquid.
The air thickens instantly.
The doctor’s expression hardens. “Take it to the lab. I want a full analysis immediately p>
“Yes, doctor.” She rushes off.
Lilly looks between us, panic rising again. “What the hell was that p>
I don’t answer. I already have a bad feeling, a fucking bad feeling that whatever is in that syringe is what landed Sierra back in the ICU.
Minutes drag by like hours. Every second feels like a noose tightening around my chest. I can see Sierra through the ICU window, motionless, connected to machines.
Lilly’s voice breaks the silence. “Is she going to be okay p>
The doctor sighs heavily. “I wish I could say yes. We managed to restart her heart, but it’s still weak. We’ll have to wait and see if she stabilizes p>
My phone vibrates in my pocket.
I swipe it open and it’s the footage. I Immediately hit play.
The video shows Sierra’s hospital hallway. Then a figure appears. A nurse, dressed like the others–mask, cap, scrubs. But something about the way she moves makes my stomach twist.
She looks around before entering Sierra’s room.
A few minutes pass. Then she steps out again, glancing both ways down the corridor like she’s checking if anyone saw her. Then she disappears from the frame.
I replay it twice, then a third time.
“Look at this,” I tell the doctor, holding out my phone, hoping he could give us clues on who the nurse might be, though deep down I know it’s a long shot.
He watches in silence, frowning deeper with every second. When the clip ends, he shakes his head slowly.
“That’s not one of ours p>
Lilly’s eyes widen. “You’re sure p>
“Positive,” the doctor says firmly. “Our nurses wear white caps. Hers is blue. And those shoes.” He points at the screen. “those aren’t hospital issue p>
I feel my blood run cold.
“Play it again,” he says. I do, and this time a few other staff gather around. None of them recognize her.
Whoever she is, she’s not from here and she’s not a nurse.
Just then, the lab nurse returns, panting slightly as she hands the doctor a sealed envelope. “The results, sir p>
He opens it and scans the report. His face drains of color.
“What is it?” Lilly asks, her voice trembling.
He looks up slowly, eyes grim. “The drug is called Cardionex. It’s a sedative used in very small doses to calm severe anxiety or regulate heart palpitations.” 1
He swallows hard. “But in high doses, like the one that was just injected, it induces acute cardiac arrest.
For a moment, no one speaks.
Then Lilly gasps softly, covering her mouth.
And me? I just stare at Sierra through the glass, my chest hollow, fury and guilt twisting together inside me.
Someone walked into her room, pretended to be a nurse, and tried to kill her again.
And I left her alone. 6