~ Ryder ~
The moment I stepped into the ward, everything inside me went still.
Doris lay on the hospital bed, unmoving… too still. Machines surrounded her, their steady beeping the only sign that she was still here with me. Her skin looked pale, almost lifeless, and for a second, I couldn’t breathe.
“My baby girl…” I whispered, my voice breaking as I took a step closer.
Then I saw Blade gripping the doctor by the neck.
“Blade!” I shouted.
I didn’t even see it coming.
A hard fist slammed into my face, sending me staggering backward. Pain exploded across my jaw, my head snapping to the side as I struggled to keep my balance.
“What the—”
I turned, gripping my face, my eyes burning with shock and anger.
Blade.
He stood there, his chest rising and falling, his fists clenched so tight
