Olivia stood near the hospital bed, smoothing the sleeves of her coat as if grounding herself. The room smelled faintly of antiseptic and warm plastic, the steady hum of machines filling the pauses between breaths.
“Bea,” Olivia said gently, her voice calm but sincere. “You can go home now. Me and his cousin Jules will be watching over him. And… thank you.”
Bea hesitated near the doorway. Her hand tightened around her bag strap, knuckles whitening just slightly. She glanced at Kafziel, who lay propped against pillows, pale but awake, eyes following her every movement.
“Okay,” Bea said after a moment. “But keep tabs on me. If you need anything—anything at all—call me.”
Olivia nodded immediately. “Yeah, okay. I will keep you updated.”
Kafziel swallowed. They’re deciding things so easily
