Nathaniel smirked, standing. "I'll go check with the doctor, see when you can be discharged."
As he was about to stepped out, Lily turned to Clara immediately. "About Laura?" she prompted wondering what they were going to do about her.
"Well, she's —" Nathaniel started but didn't finish as he had to answer a call.l
The steady beep of the monitor filled the hospital room. Clara lay against the pillows, her body still weak but her mind far from calm.
Nathaniel stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear. His expression was serious, the kind that made Clara's stomach twist because she knew what came next would not be good news.
He turned around slowly, frowning.
"What?" Clara asked, watching him closely.
Nathaniel rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a slow breath. "That was my assistant. Laura was arrested earlier. She was considered a major suspect being the person close to you at the tome you fainted. They thought she had something to do with what happened at the party."
Clara's heart skipped. "And now?"
"She's out," he said. "Someone came to the station for her—brought evidence that the waiter was the one behind it. The police released her and arrested him instead."
For a moment, Clara couldn't speak. The steady beeping beside her felt louder.
Again. Someone was helping Laura.
First, she somehow got into an event she wasn't even invited to. Now she had someone powerful enough to pull her out of custody like it was nothing.
"That doesn't make sense," Clara said quietly. "I know she did something. She wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted."
Nathaniel nodded slightly. "Then she's not working alone. Whoever's behind her knows what they're doing. We need to be careful."
Lily crossed her arms. "Unbelievable. She nearly kills you and still walks away clean."
Clara let out a shaky breath. "Someone's protecting her. First the invite, now this. It's not random."
Nathaniel reached for her hand. "You should rest for now. I'll go ask when you can be discharged and go to work and see what I can find out. When I get back, we'll talk more, okay?"
Clara nodded weakly. "Alright."
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before leaving.
As soon as the door closed, Lily turned toward Clara, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
"So…" she started.
Clara sighed. "What?"
"You and Nathaniel," Lily said, bumping her shoulder.
"There's nothing," Clara said quickly.
Lily gave her a look. "Yeah, sure. He's been sitting here all night and you expect me to believe that?"
"I'm serious," Clara said, laughing a little. "This is normal between a fiancé and fiancée."
Lily shrugged. "You've really changed, you know."
Clara looked at her for a long moment, her smile fading. The sight of her sister still felt surreal.
"I just hope it lasts," Lily added quietly.
"It will," Clara said, taking her hand. "I won't be stupid anymore. I don't want to lose you again."
"Again?" Lily asked, frowning a little.
Clara hesitated. "I just mean… I've made mistakes before. I won't do it again."
Lily smiled faintly and squeezed her hand back. "Good. Don't."
They sat quietly for a moment, the room still except for the faint hum of the machines.
Then Clara spoke, her tone softer. "Lily… do you ever think Mum and Dad's death was unnatural?"
Lily looked at her. "Honestly? Yeah. It never felt right. Everything about it was too sudden."
Clara nodded slowly. "The way no one questioned anything… it always felt like someone made sure of that."
Lily frowned. "You think someone was behind it?"
"I don't know," Clara whispered. "But with everything happening now… it doesn't feel like coincidence."
Lily leaned back in her chair, eyes fixed on her. "Then we have to be careful. If this is connected, it's not over."
Clara looked out the window at the night sky, her chest tight.
"No," she said quietly. "It's just starting."