Ethan stood there—right behind her—arms loose at his sides, face calm as stone.Victoria’s eyes widened. The gun jerked back up for half a second before she forced it down again.“You—” Her voice cracked. “You were supposed to come through the door.”“I changed the plan.” Ethan’s tone was even. Almost gentle. “You need to be more alert, Victoria. If I can slip up behind you that easily, Jack will eat you alive.”Victoria’s shoulders dropped. A long, shaky sigh slipped out of her—like she’d been holding her breath underwater for minutes. The pistol trembled in her hands. She lowered it slowly, barrel pointing at the carpet.The room stayed silent. Too silent.Ethan stepped past her. “I need to use the bathroom. Stay here. Don’t move.”He walked into the attached bathroom and closed the door. The lock clicked.Victoria stood frozen in the middle of the dark bedroom. The Glock felt heavier now. Her pulse still hammered in her ears.She turned toward the vanity again, trying to steady her

The doctor stood at the foot of the bed, clipboard pressed against his chest like a shield. His eyes flicked between Ethan and Victoria, careful, measured.Victoria’s fingers tightened around Ethan’s hand. Her pulse jumped under his thumb. She suspected the doctor was about to reveal her secret.She cleared her throat. Voice thin. “I’m… I’m tired, Doctor. Can we talk later?”The doctor’s brows lifted slightly. He glanced at Ethan, then back to her.Ethan caught it—the quick look, the hesitation. His head turned slow. Eyes narrowed. He glanced from Victoria’s pale face to the doctor’s guarded expression.“No,” Ethan said. Flat. Final. “You talk now.”Victoria’s breath hitched. She tried to pull her hand free, but Ethan held on. Not rough. Just steady.“Ethan—” she started, her heart pounded. He didn’t look at her. Kept staring at the doctor. “Speak.”The doctor shifted a bit. Opened his mouth. but before he could speak, Victoria started coughing. Sudden. Hard. Wet. Her whole body