Once the healer declared Adrian stable, his breathing even and his life no longer hanging in the balance, Katrina felt a fleeting wave of relief, but it was quickly swallowed by a torrent of emotions. She didn’t linger at his side, didn’t even glance into the room where he lay recovering. Her mind was a chaotic swirl, thoughts colliding, and she rushed back to her room, her legs heavy with the weight of her worry, her heart still racing from the events that had unfolded. Inside, she shut the door, her hands shaking as she fumbled for her phone, nearly dropping it in her haste. She dialed her father’s number, her fingers trembling so badly she had to steady them against the phone. When he answered, his voice warm and familiar, she unleashed everything, her words tumbling out in a frantic ru
