Damian’s Point of View
The city lights blurred into streaks as I sped the car toward St. Jude’s Medical Center. My knuckles bled from gripping the steering wheel; each red light felt like a betrayal of time I couldn’t afford to lose.
“Sophia?” I rasped, already dialing her number. No answer—just voicemail. My phone slipped from my hand as the car jolted over a pothole. My heart pounded like thunder in my ears. If Rachel had hurt Sophia… I didn’t even want to imagine it.
Ava’s hand on my arm jolted me back. “Damian, breathe,” she urged, voice trembling. She steered my gaze to the dashboard—98, 102, 88—my pulse racing. “What happened?” she asked, eyes wide with panic.
I swallowed, trying to steady my voice. “I don’t know, but she sounded terrified.” Sirens wailed in the distance as we pu
