Scar's POV Sitting in the sterile clinic was proving to be torture. One minute a bleeding patient would be rushed in, the next someone was crying out in agony for attention. I stationed myself close to Len's bedside, positioning my head near her hand resting atop the sheets. My eyes grew heavy, but I resisted sleep's pull. I needed to stay near her."Scar..." Len's soft voice roused me as her fingers tenderly combed through my hair. "Scar?" she mumbled again. I looked up to see she was still fast asleep.Gently clasping her hand in mine, I whispered "Don't worry Len, I'll always be here for you." I rubbed soothing circles into her skin.She let out a faint groan, slowly blinking open her eyes. "Scar?" Confusion clouded her face at the sight of me."I'm right here, Len. Do you need anything?" I asked dutifully. "No...why are you still awake?" She tried sitting up, only to cry out in pain from the sudden movement.My heart clenched with worry. "What's wrong? Are you alright? Do you
Hermes POVThe sharp buzzing of my phone stirred me from sleep. Groaning, I blindly felt around the nightstand for the offensive device. "Shit!" I jolted awake, blinking against the bright sunlight streaming through the windows. What time was it anyway?"Sage?" I called out groggily, but was met with silence. That's when I noticed the notification lighting up my phone screen. *1 Missed Call*My gut twisted anxiously as my foggy mind raced over who could've called. "Was it Grandma?" If so, I was in deep trouble. She'd explicitly asked me to come home last night. But then things got heated with Sage and..."Damn it," I muttered, smacking my palm to my forehead. Last night had been a complete disaster. Pushing those thoughts aside for now, I checked to see who the missed call was from. My shoulders sagged in relief seeing it was just Scar. I quickly hit redial as I got up to search for my clothes.After several rings, Scar answered gruffly. "Where the hell have you been? I called ho
Lena's POV The journey back home had put Scar in high spirits. He'd pestered me so relentlessly about admitting my true feelings, I finally snapped."Fine, yes I'm in love with you! Is that some huge revelation?" I'd blurted out angrily, my cheeks burning. Scar just grinned, encircling me in a tender embrace. "Lena loves me, Lena loves me," he sang, lifting me from the passenger seat.I squirmed in protest. "I can walk myself, you know." But Scar was too elated to listen, carrying me inside.I suppose my resistance had worn him down over the weeks. Now that I'd opened up, Scar acted like a giddy child on Christmas morning.In the days that followed, Scar and I grew ever closer. He even told Hermes not to visit at first, giving me time to warm up to our new dynamic.Cuddling after lunch one afternoon, I pouted up at Scar. "When do I get to see Hermes again?" Though I cherished our intimacy, I missed my friend too.Scar's eyes flashed with fleeting jealousy. "This evening, my darling.
Sage's POV After tearing open the portal, I sprinted blindly away from the source of my anguish. Hermes' betrayal cut me to the core. I needed time alone to process the heartbreak.How could he claim an emergency, only to embrace another woman right in front of me? It made no sense unless he'd been dishonest all along. The very thought made bile rise in my throat.Lost in my rumination, I was startled by shouting up ahead. Squinting against the setting sun, I could make out figures approaching. Men decked out in tactical gear, accompanied by a woman."You, stop right there!" one barked, breaking into a run.My eyes widened in alarm and I veered off the path, scrambling for cover in the thick underbrush. The woman's voice rang out sharply. "After her! Don't let her escape, or the boss will have your heads!" Judging from their numbers and weapons, fighting would be unwise. I curled into a ball within the concealing bushes, heart pounding against my ribs.The group fanned out, searchi
Lena's POVI sat alone in the quiet living room after coming back from another unsuccessful search for Sage. It had been two agonizing days since she went missing and despite all of our efforts combing the city, we still hadn't found a single trace of her.I buried my face in my hands, consumed by guilt. This was all my fault. If I hadn't hugged Hermes that night, none of this would have happened. No matter how many times Hermes and Scar tried to console me these past few days, telling me it wasn't my fault, I still blamed myself completely."Oh Sage, please come back home. Everyone is so worried about you, especially Hermes. He's devastated," I whispered to myself as tears rolled down my cheeks. The immense guilt was eating away at me.Just then, I heard the front door open and glanced up to see Scar entering the house. He paused when he noticed me crying on the floor."Baby, what's wrong?" he asked with concern as he rushed over and pulled me into a comforting embrace.I melted into
Lena's POVI sat alone in the quiet living room after coming back from another unsuccessful search for Sage. It had been two agonizing days since she went missing and despite all of our efforts combing the city, we still hadn't found a single trace of her.I buried my face in my hands, consumed by guilt. This was all my fault. If I hadn't hugged Hermes that night, none of this would have happened. No matter how many times Hermes and Scar tried to console me these past few days, telling me it wasn't my fault, I still blamed myself completely."Oh Sage, please come back home. Everyone is so worried about you, especially Hermes. He's devastated," I whispered to myself as tears rolled down my cheeks. The immense guilt was eating away at me.Just then, I heard the front door open and glanced up to see Scar entering the house. He paused when he noticed me crying on the floor."Baby, what's wrong?" he asked with concern as he rushed over and pulled me into a comforting embrace.I melted into
Hermes' POVI trudged wearily up the front steps after another long, fruitless day of searching for Sage. As I unlocked the front door, defeat weighed heavily on my shoulders. It had been over 48 hours since she mysteriously vanished, and despite scouring every corner of the city, we hadn't unearthed a single useful clue to her whereabouts."You're back, dear. Any luck today?" My grandmother's hopeful voice greeted me as I entered the living room. But her smile faded when she registered the grim look on my face.I just slowly shook my head, collapsing onto the sofa with a heavy sigh. "Nothing. It's like she just disappeared into thin air."Grandma sat beside me, clasping my hand in her wrinkled, comforting grip. "I'm sure she'll turn up soon, Hermes. We have to keep faith."Despite her encouraging tone, I could hear the doubt creeping in. As more time passed with no sign of Sage, the outlook grew bleaker."I'm certain she was abducted, Grandma," I said bitterly, anger welling inside m
Sage's POVI forced a smile as Hermes agreed to my request for a dinner with Len. Inside, my mind was already whirring with possibilities. Hermes had unknowingly given me the perfect opportunity to get information to pass onto Fox.Once I had Len alone, I just had to find out everything I could about her connection to Scar's heart. Fox would certainly reward me for helping eliminate this unexpected threat."You should get some rest now, my love," Hermes said, drawing me from my thoughts. "I'll stay over tonight to keep an eye on you."I tensed. Having him here all night didn't fit my plans. "Oh, you don't need to do that," I replied lightly. "I don't want Grandma to be alone. Really, I'll be fine."But Hermes was already fetching an extra pillow, making himself comfortable on the armchair. "Nonsense, Grandma understands you need me right now while recovering. Don't worry about her."Seeing he wouldn't be dissuaded, I switched tactics. "Well, if you're staying, could you run and get me