Oliver called Brenda to let her know he’d be out for a while so she wouldn’t worry, then followed Ray out the door.
Inside the hospital room, everything was quiet except for the beeping of machines. Julian lay unconscious in the hospital bed, looking pale and fragile. Christian stood beside him, his eyes shadowed with pain and something darker—anger that seemed to fill the room, pressing against the walls.
He looked lost in thought, like he was weighing the kind of decision no one ever wants to make. After what felt like forever, he finally spoke, his voice low and steady. “Bring Claire. Now. Don’t waste time.”
“Claire?” George blinked in confusion, startled by the name.
“She’s locked up by Julian, sir. Why do you need her?”
“Just do it. Don’t ask questions. Bring her to me.”
George swallowed whatever he wanted to say. With Christian in this mood, arguing would only make things worse. He left to carry out the order.
Not long after, Claire was escorted in, but she was barely recognizable. There were bruises all over her arms, her face was swollen, and worst of all, her eyes saw nothing. She flinched at every little sound, huddled on the tile like a trapped animal.
“Where… where am I?” Her voice trembled. The sharp, antiseptic smell in the air confirmed her fear. She was in a hospital.
“Why am I here? My eyes are already destroyed. What’s left for you to do? Hello? Someone answer me! Julian? Madeline? I know you’re there. Say something!”
She scrambled in place, desperate for any familiar voice.
“Claire.” Christian’s voice boomed through the room.
She spun toward the sound, startled for a moment, then her face crumpled in relief. “Grandpa… Is it really you? It’s really you, isn’t it? You rescued me! I knew you wouldn’t leave me behind… We both want the same thing, don’t we?”
Christian stayed silent, just staring down at her for a second. Then he knelt to her level. “I can help you, but only if you do something for me first.”
“What is it? Do you want Shelly dead? I can do it. Whatever you want. If you get me out of here, I’ll do anything. My life is yours.”
Claire crawled and clutched the hem of his trousers, her voice desperate. Her whole body shook as she begged, “As long as you don’t send me back there, I’ll do it… I swear. I’ll get rid of Shelly for you.”
Anything was better than that place. She’d lost track of how many days she’d spent in isolation, terrified and half-mad from pain and shame.
Christian just gave a cold chuckle. “You really think you could kill Shelly right now? You think you could even survive much longer on your own?”
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