CHAPTER 175

TRENT'S POV

I paced back and forth in the hospital waiting room, my sneakers squeaking against the polished floor.

The beeping of machines and voices of medical staff filled the air, but I barely registered any of it.

My mind was racing, replaying the night's events over and over like a broken record.

Mr. Matthews sat slumped in a nearby chair, holding an ice pack to his swollen eye. We'd been here for hours, waiting for news about Nurse Veronica. I really can't afford to lose her, not when Tom needs her so much.

I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging at the roots in frustration. "This is all my fault," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.

Mr. Matthews lowered the ice pack, wincing as he shifted in his seat. "Don't blame yourself, Trent. We couldn't have predicted this outcome."

I spun around, facing him with clenched fists. "But we should have! We know what Dad's capable of. We should have been more prepared."

Before he could reply, a familiar jingle of a breaking news