The doctor arrived and gently gestured for everyone to step out. Reluctantly, the family obeyed—everyone except Nathan, who stood frozen beside the bed, worry carved deep into his face.
Sofia watched him quietly.
"Aunt…" Nathan muttered, voice tight. "She was just awake… full of life."
"Nate," Sofia said gently, "she's not dead. Be calm."
"I am calm," he replied, but his pacing betrayed him.
Moments later, the doctor reemerged, his face unreadable.
"Doctor—?" Nathan stepped forward.
The doctor simply smiled… and moved aside.
Behind him stood Vicky—groggy, pale, but on her feet.
Nathan's breath caught. Without a word, he rushed forward and pulled her into his arms. The hug was desperate, raw, real.
Everyone looked on, stunned. None more than Catty.
Shikongo Estates – Nathan's Office
Adam arrived alone. He wandered through the marble halls like a ghost in someone else's kingdom, trailing his fingers along the polished walls.
He stopped in front of Nathan's office, then pushed the door open.
Empty.
He stepped in, slowly sat in the leather chair behind the massive desk, and leaned back like he belonged there.
He picked up a pen, scribbled nonsense on a notepad, then grabbed an empty coffee cup and mimed a sip like he was deep in corporate thought.
Just then—
Damien walked in and froze. His brow creased in confusion.
"Adam?"
Adam looked up calmly. "Hey, Damien."
"You're here? I thought everyone left for Nate at the hospital. What are you doing here?"
"I came to correct the Factory Project papers. Nate didn't upload the toll yesterday, and he wasn't here all day."
"He'll upload it when he gets back," Damien said.
"But that'll be Monday." Adam narrowed his eyes.
"This project's led by Nate himself. Without him, nothing moves. Besides, it's non-profit. So just… wait."
Adam smirked. "Yeah. I'll wait… like I always do."
"Good. Now, if you don't mind—" Damien motioned toward the door.
"Oh, yeah. Sure." Adam stood, pausing just long enough to glance around. Then he left.
Outside, he tried to peek through the window, hoping to see something—anything—but all he saw was his own reflection staring back. He sighed and walked away.
Inside, Damien went straight to a filing box. He pulled out a stack of Agreement papers, flipping through them until he found some torn ones. He frowned, shoved them into the trash, and quietly exited.
Back at the Hospital
Nathan hadn't let go of Vicky. One of his tears had stained her shirt.
"For a second," he whispered into her shoulder, "I thought you were gone."
Vicky blinked, unable to speak. The room was silent, caught between awe and awkwardness.
Then—Catty broke it.
She clutched her stomach and winced dramatically.
"Ugh… my stomach…"
"Are you alright?" Cinthia asked.
"No… I think… I think it's cramps or something…" Catty murmured.
But Nathan didn't move. His eyes were still on Vicky.
Vicky turned to her with a sly smile. "Catty seems hungry."
She reached for the food Nathan had brought for himself and handed it to her. "Here. Eat."
Catty frowned at the offering like it was poison. "I can't eat that. Can we just go home, babe? Nate?"
Nathan didn't budge. "I still need to get Vicky's medications. And… she needs to give her statement."
Vicky's brows knitted. "Statement? What statement?"
Kuku leaned forward. "Yes… a statement for what?"
Nathan exhaled, glancing at Sofia and Ruben as if preparing to drop a bomb.
"Vicky was attacked. When the doctors treated her, they found a bullet lodged in her hand."
Vicky's face went pale. "What? When?"
Just then, Ruben walked in—with two officers behind him.
"Police," Nathan said, as if confirming it to himself as much as to her.
Everyone turned, stunned into silence.
And Vicky? She looked down at her bandaged hand—
And for a moment, the pain in her head returned.
Not sharp. Not stabbing.
Just… whispers.