The door suddenly swung open from the outside. Phoebe lifted her gaze, her eyes brimming with fleeting hope before it quickly dimmed. How much she wished it was Alexander walking in. How much she longed for him to stand before her, whole and unscathed. But the person who entered was a middle-aged man, unfamiliar to her, though it was clear from his demeanor that he was one of Alexander's subordinates.
Her disappointment was momentary, replaced almost instantly by desperate anticipation. Barefoot, she dashed toward him with urgency.
"Him...How is he? Please, tell me. I'm begging you. I just need to know if he's okay."
"Miss, you're free to leave now. Gather your belongings, and I'll have a car take you home," the man said, ignoring her questions and instead delivering his instructions ca
