After racing across town, I finally reached the Robisch family's hospital.

The second I parked, I saw it—an old wheelchair dumped outside like trash. Sitting in it was my grandma.

Just a thin hospital gown in the middle of winter. Who knew how long she'd been out there? Her face was ghost-pale, eyes shut tight from the cold.

I stumbled over and grabbed her hands. Ice. I tried rubbing warmth into them, sobbing.

"Grandma, it's me. I'm here. I'm taking you home—just open your eyes, please!"

I spun to the nurse by the door.

"Please! Just let her back in for now—I'll transfer her, I swear. Just help her!"

The nurse hesitated, eyes flicking away.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Astor. This is the Robisch family's private hospital. There's nothing we can do."

Hands shaking, I pulled out my phone and called Noah.

No answer.

Again. And again.

Just as I felt the last bit of hope slipping, the line finally connected.

Relief hit me so hard I almost dropped the phone. I lowered my voice, desperate.

"Noah, I apologized to Freya. However you want me to do it, I will. Just... please, let my grandma back inside. She's too old for this. She won't make it."

My voice cracked.

Then I froze.

It wasn't Noah.

Freya's syrupy voice filled the line.

"Noah's in the shower. Can't talk. I'll have him call you later. Oh—and thanks for the apology. Next time, don't act out. You know how protective he is of me."

Every word oozed smugness.

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.

Click. She hung up.

It was over.

No help was coming.

I stared at Grandma, slumped and barely breathing. I couldn't even stand straight.

If I'd known blocking Freya would make Noah snap like this, I never would've touched that button.

My hand lifted, ready to slap myself.

But someone caught my wrist.

Johan.

He'd swung the car door open and rushed over.

"Get in. The transfer's done. I'm taking your grandma to Brigham Hospital."

He moved fast, lifting her gently into the car. The heat was already blasting.

I climbed into the back, holding her close, whispering,

"Her meds are from overseas. What if that hospital doesn't—"

"They will," Johan said, steady. "I ordered them from Pritain. They're on a flight. Should be here tonight."

I blinked. I never told him that.

How did he know?

Why was he here? Why was everything already taken care of?

My chest was tight with too many questions, but all I could manage was—

"Thank you."

His hands gripped the wheel tighter, eyes locked ahead.

"Between husband and wife, no need for thanks."

***

A few days later, Grandma's vitals finally leveled out.

Noah didn't call once.

Freya, though—she kept sending pics to get under my skin. I stopped looking.

Johan said, "Your grandma's set for the best care in Pritain. Everything's lined up. We can leave Kelmark whenever you're ready."

I nodded without even thinking. She was the only reason I stayed this long. With her safe, I had nothing holding me back.

Well—except my ID and documents, still at Noah's place. I had to go back.

The second I unlocked the door, I heard it—moaning.

Clothes were scattered from the entry all the way to the bedroom.

And there, by the door, were those same high heels. Still stained with my blood.

Every time I brought up Freya, Noah would roll his eyes, call me jealous. "She's like a sister," he'd say.

Right. And I guess he sleeps with his "sister" now?

That was it for me.

I clenched my fists, blocked out the sounds, the mess, all of it. I went straight for the study, grabbed my documents, and turned to leave.

And walked smack into Noah.

His shirt was wrinkled, his body still marked up from whatever just happened. His face twisted—part shock, part something grosser.

"You—why are you back?"

I looked down, silent.

Maybe it finally clicked, what he'd done. For once, he tried to explain.

"I was drunk. It was... an accident."

I caught a faint whiff of alcohol—but barely. And I knew his tolerance. Guy could outdrink anyone.

I gave a blank nod. I just wanted out.

But he didn't move. Still blocking the door.

He looked straight at me and said it again—

"What happened today... it was a mistake."

Then added like it was nothing, "The wedding's still on. We'll do it next month."

"Noah!"

Freya's voice, all sweet and fake, floated from the bedroom.

He didn't even blink. Eyes locked on mine.

I didn't want a scene. So I nodded.

"Sure. Whatever you say."

And just like that, his shoulders eased. I gave him the same quiet response I always had—easy, predictable, his.

Then his gaze dropped to the folder in my hand.

"What did you take?"

My heart skipped, but I kept my voice steady.

"A medical report."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You're still hurt from the crash?"

He misunderstood. Perfect.

"It's nothing. I'll go alone."

Before he could say more, something crashed in the bedroom. Freya's voice followed, whiny and delicate.

"Noah, the floor's so slippery!"

His face changed instantly.

"I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow," he muttered, already distracted.

I turned and walked out without another word.

'Noah, you won't get the chance. I'm done. I'm leaving—today.'

***

At the airport, Johan was already waiting with Grandma.

I was wheeling my suitcase toward them when a voice called out behind me, low and furious.

"Adelyn, where do you think you're going?"

I turned. Noah. Out of breath. Livid.

But before he could take a step closer, Johan moved. Calm, solid. He wrapped an arm around my waist.

"Sorry, man, " he said. "Gotta get my wife on the plane."