**Denver General Hospital – 9:14 a.m.**
The news cameras were gone. The headlines were written. But inside the stark white walls of Denver General, reality was still raw.
Sophie, arm in a sling, sat beside Arthur's hospital bed as doctors checked his blood pressure for internal bruising. Leah sat on the windowsill, drawing stick figures with oversized smiles.
“I gave a kidney to a guy in Rikers once," Arthur muttered. “At least they gave me pudding."
Sophie chuckled softly. “This isn't prison."
“Feels like it."
The attending nurse smiled politely and left.
Sophie leaned in. “One week ago, you were chasing me with blood in your eyes."
Arthur met her gaze. “And now?"
“Now you're stuck in a gown that opens in the back."
Leah giggled.
---
**1:08 p.m. – Operating wing corridor**
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