Juan looked toward Belle’s hospital room one last time. The small window on the door gave him a glimpse of the soft light inside. Then he lowered his eyes to the message on his phone again. His stomach turned uncomfortably. This wasn’t just stress. This felt like betrayal.
Someone close to him had talked. Someone he trusted. Someone who was supposed to have his back had opened their mouth and said too much.
He stood there in silence for a moment, trying to calm the anger bubbling inside him. He took a slow, steady breath and typed back a reply:
“I’m on my way. Don’t let them talk to anyone else.”
After hitting send, he slipped the phone back into his pocket. He walked away from the wall. Belle would probably fall asleep soon. She needed rest and he needed to sort out his business.
He
