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It was time to stop running from the past.I decided to track down the hospital where the body had been taken. Being in forensics myself, I knew this was my best chance to access the information I needed.Yes, I needed answers. Lying was unethical. It went against everything I stood for, but desperation has a way of blurring the lines. I had no choice.I stood outside the hospital, its imposing structure far more modern than I had imagined. This wasn’t some rundown facility on the outskirts of town. It made sense after all, the school I attended was prestigious, and they wouldn't have sent a body to just any hospital.This place handles serious cases.I headed for the forensic department. It wasn't bustling, which is luckily for me, it seemed like a slow afternoon. I spotted a woman, likely in her early forties, at the front desk. She was flipping through some paperwork, looking bored. This was my chance."Hi there," I said, smiling softly. "I'm Dr. Lana Kang. I work in forensic path
As we finished lunch, I could feel Jason's eyes lingering on me. He wasn't fooled by my actions, but thankfully, he didn't push the subject. We made small talk as he walked me back to the apartment I was staying in."Let me know if you need anything, alright?" Jason said as we reached the corner. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to his words, like he was holding something back, something unsaid."I will," I assured him, but we both knew that wasn't true. Whatever I was about to uncover, I needed to face it alone.We exchanged a brief goodbye, and I watched him walk away. The moment he was out of sight, the weight of the secrets I carried felt heavier. I glanced at my phone, still cradling the unanswered questions swirling in my mind. Jason's concern was genuine, but I couldn't let him know how deep I was getting into this.Not yet.I walked up to the apartment lobby. The sky was growing overcast, mirroring the storm brewing inside me. The missing pieces of the puzzle danced j
Jason arrived at Lana’s apartment, his pulse quickening as he found her curled up on the sofa, knees to her chest, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her eyes were wide with fear, and the sight of her so fragile made his heart tighten.Without a second thought, he rushed to her, pulling her trembling frame into his embrace.“Lana,” he whispered, his voice soft but filled with concern. “What happened?”Lana’s voice was barely audible, quivering with terror. “Someone’s been here... I heard the door beeping. I know someone has come in.” Her words broke between sobs, and Jason could feel her panic rising again.He glanced around the apartment, his eyes carefully scanning every corner. Everything seemed in order; nothing was out of place. The apartment was untouched, but her fear was real, palpable, overwhelming. Jason knew that Lana’s fragile mind was starting to play tricks on her. Her paranoia was growing stronger, more dangerous.“Shh,” he murmured, stroking her back gently. “It’s okay
Jerry visited again the next morning, as he promised. Jason opened the door with a quiet nod of greeting. Jerry's eyes swept over the apartment, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention to Lana."She seems stable," Jerry said, his voice low as he set his bag on the table. He approached Lana, carefully removing the IV from her arm. "Her vitals are fine, but she's still weak. Make sure she continues to rest."Jason watched closely as Jerry packed up the IV, then glanced at Lana's sleeping form. "I will. Thanks for coming over, Jerry."Jerry looked up, meeting Jason's eyes for a moment before he nodded. "Just keep an eye on her. If she starts to become too restless, let me know. We don't want her pushing herself too hard." He gathered his things and made his way to the door, pausing for a final word. "She'll wake up soon. Don't let her dive into anything stressful too quickly."After Jerry left, Jason returned to Lana's side. He studied her for a long moment, the soft rise
I woke up to the sound of soft footsteps and the feeling of sunlight creeping through the curtains. For a moment, I didn't move, trying to assess where I was. My body felt lighter, less drained than before, but my mind… something wasn't right.The fog that had weighed on me for days was lifting, but in its place were pieces—fragments of something I couldn't quite piece together.I sat up slowly, my head spinning just a little as I adjusted to the room. Jason was there, sitting in the chair next to my bed, his phone in his hand but his eyes already on me. He had this way of watching me, like I was something fragile, something that needed constant care."You're awake," he said, his voice warm and comforting. "How are you feeling?"Physically, I felt better. My muscles weren't aching anymore. But my mind… my mind was a mess. There were these flashes, images that didn't make sense. "I feel... okay," I muttered, rubbing my temples. The flashes were faint, but they felt real. Too real to ig
Jason sat at the kitchen counter, staring at the glass of water in his hand, his fingers lightly tapping the rim. His thoughts swirled, weighed down by the growing tension in his chest. Lana had been asking more questions that felt too sharp, too pointed. She was getting closer, piecing things together, and that terrified him.He took a deep breath and reached for the medication Jerry prescribed in his pocket. It wasn't much, just a small dosage, enough to keep her calm. Enough to buy him more time. He couldn't afford her to go overthinking again, not now. She was fragile, her mental state could easily tip over the edge if she kept pressing, and he couldn't let that happen.This is for her own good, he told himself, carefully twisted a capsule apart, letting the fine powder fall into Lana's drink. It dissolved almost instantly, leaving no trace behind. The liquid swirled briefly before settling, the sedative invisible, just like the guilt gnawing at him.He stood and walked back into t
Jason sat at Lana's small writing desk, his laptop open before him, but his thoughts were far from the emails and reports Luke had sent. The soft glow of the screen illuminated his face as he scrolled through the documents, but he was acutely aware of the quiet stillness in the room and the soft rise and fall of Lana's breath from the bed.He focused on the task at hand, diligently checking for any updates that might require his immediate attention. "Nothing urgent," he muttered to himself, his mind wandering back to Lana.As the hours passed, he noticed her eyelids fluttering, and a small smile crept across his face. He had given her no medication this time; instead, he hoped that a good rest would help her feel more stable. It was crucial for him to regain her trust, to show her that he was there for her without any ulterior motives.When Lana finally opened her eyes, Jason was ready. He leaned forward, a gentle smile on his lips. "Good morning, Lana. How are you feeling?" His voice
She stood outside the building, her heart racing in anticipation, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders, tucking a stray hair strand behind her ear, the dim streetlight barely touched her as she moved, blending effortlessly into the shadows. This was the moment she had been waiting for.She lingered just outside the entrance of the apartment, a sly smile tugging at her lips. Breaking in had been almost too easy. Lana had been so wrapped in her own turmoil, so distracted, she hadn't even noticed anyone lurking nearby. A simple tool slipped into the lock was all it took to ensure the door wouldn't catch properly.As she eased the door open, a thrill ran through her. The apartment was still, the only sounds the faint hum of the refrigerator and the distant hiss of water running in the bathroom.Perfect.She stood motionless for a moment, absorbing her surroundings. Her gaze fell on the open laptop resting on the coffee table. This was her chance. With deft fingers, she scroll
The guest room prepared for me was a surprising contrast to the rest of the antique grandeur mansion.The walls were painted a soft, muted grey, with a single abstract painting hanging above a sleek platform bed. The bed itself was low and modern, dressed in crisp silky white linens and a lightweight beige throw.Just clean lines and a calm, unpretentious aesthetic.A small bedside table held a simple lamp with a frosted glass shade, casting a warm and inviting glow.A single potted plant. A touch of green against the neutral palette stood on a narrow wooden shelf that ran the length of the wall.The floorboards gleamed too perfectly, polished wood, and the large window opposite the bed framed the darkness outside. A sheer white curtain drifted slightly with the cool night breeze, adding a touch of softness to the otherwise stark room.The warmth of the bath earlier had done little to ease the tension coiled tight in my chest.I lay awake staring at the ceiling, tracing invisible patt
The winding road felt endless, the hum of Nelson's motorcycle filling the silence between us. The city's glow had long since faded, replaced by the barren fields and a sky bloated with stars, an emptiness of the countryside.Trees lined the path, their shadows stretching ominously under the pale moonlight. My grip on Nelson's jacket tightened as the bike slowed, its headlight glaring at a wrought-iron gate.Nelson pulled off his helmet and reached for his phone. With a quick call, he muttered something I couldn't hear. Moments later, the gates creaked open, revealing a long driveway framed by hedges trimmed to razor-perfect lines casted by a soft golden glow of bulbs.The house at the end of the path loomed, grand yet secluded, with its aged wood and stone exterior.We rolled forward slowly, the bike's engine a low rumble that echoed in the still night. A figure waited by the entrance, an elderly woman, her posture straight and her hands clasped neatly in front of her. She had a calm
I had been waiting for him.The moment the motorcycle roared into the car park, I knew Nelson had come. Relief swept over me, momentarily silencing the chaos around me.When Nelson dismounted his bike, pulling off his helmet, his eyes locked onto mine, unwavering and steady. "I'm here," he said simply, his voice firm but calm.I took a shaky breath, the decision already made long before he arrived. "Thank you," I whispered.I took a step toward him, my heart racing, but Jason's voice broke through the stillness, trembling and soft, like a whisper cracking under pressure."This isn't your business, Nelson." Jason snapped.Nelson tilted his head, an almost amused expression crossing his face. "Isn't it? But Lana asked me to help, Jason."Jerry, sensing the brewing storm, interfered, his voice calm but firm. "Let's not do this here."Nelson's expression hardened, his gaze locking on Jason. "I didn't come here to fight. But, Lana had asked for help."Jason's head snapped up, his face a mas
The cold concrete of the car park pressed up through my soles as if trying to root me in place, but my body moved forward, and the weight of unspoken words pressing down on my chest.Jason walked slightly ahead, his hand gripping my arm as though he feared I might slip away.Not tightly, but firm enough to remind me that, he was in control.Each step echoed the conflict in my heart.The medication effect had begun to fade, but I remained deliberately slow, dragging my feet as if the weight of my hesitation could anchor me in place.I glanced toward Jerry, who walked beside us with his medical bag slung over his shoulder, his face calm but watchful. His presence was the only tether holding me together, his earlier assurance repeating in my mind.Trust me. Stay calm.I wanted to stop, to refuse to take another step. But the pieces of my past clawed their way to the surface, dragging me back to my final year in medical school at Granata.Back then, I'd been trapped in a relationship with
The first thing I noticed was the soft golden light filtering through the curtains. It was late morning—much later than I ever slept. My body felt heavy, every movement sluggish, as if weighed down by invisible chains.Then Jason's voice broke through the fog."Lana," he called gently. His tone was soothing, warm, yet it grated on my nerves. I blinked, struggling to focus on his face. He sat beside me, leaning slightly forward, a faint smile curving his lips."There you are," he murmured, his fingers brushing my arm. "How are you feeling? Jerry medication helped you rest?"Medication. The word tugged at my hazy memories, the events before I'd drifted off felt distant, like a half-remembered dream.I tried to sit up, but the effort sent a wave of dizziness through me. Jason was quick to steady me, his hand firm on my shoulder."Easy," he coaxed. "No need to rush."I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Jerry…" I croaked, the name slipping out before I could stop myself.Jason's expression di
The next day arrived with an overcast sky, casting dull shadows over the apartment. I sat by the window, absently tracing the edge of my bandage, the throbbing wound a dull reminder of my fractured state. My mind buzzed with static, unable to focus on the passing hours.The soft chime of doorbell, shattering the silence. Jason, who had been typing away on his laptop, stood and moved to answer it. His footsteps were steady, calculated, as always."Jerry," Jason greeted warmly, opening the door wide. "Right on time."Jerry stepped in, carrying his medical bag, his expression carefully neutral. He nodded at Jason before his eyes sought me out across the room."Lana," Jerry greeted, his voice soft. "How are you feeling?"I mustered a faint smile, though it didn't reach my eyes. "I'm fine."Jason gestured toward me, his tone brisk. "She's been good, but check her thoroughly. We're flying back to Granata tomorrow."Jerry's eyes flickered at Jason's words, but he said nothing, only offering a
The apartment was cloaked in a cruel, suffocating silence after Jason left the room. I sat frozen on the couch, my eyes fixed on the empty space he had occupied moments ago. My skin crawled as if his touch still lingered, a phantom weight pressing down on me, feeding my fear.The faint creak of a door opening broke through my thoughts. My breath hitched, heart pounding as Jason emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray. Steam wafted from a small bowl of porridge, the delicate aroma mingling with something I couldn't place.A bitterness that made my stomach churn."I thought you might need something light," he said, his tone almost cheerful as he set the tray on the coffee table. His eyes flicked to me, dark and unreadable. "You didn't eat much earlier."I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my ears. "Thank you," I murmured, forcing the words out.Jason stepped closer, his gaze studying me with unnerving precision. "How are you feeling, Lana?""I'm fine," I replied quickly, too quickl
The silence that followed was oppressive, thick with unspoken intent.Jason leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as if settling into a position of control. His movements were measured, deliberate, each one calculated to remind me the ground I stood on.“I told them you were fine,” he said finally, his voice a velvet blade. His lips curled into a faint smile, the kind that promised nothing good. “But they want to hear from you.” He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over me like a heavy shroud. “It’s been days, Lana.”The air felt suffocating, Jason’s calm demeanour amplifying the tension. His gaze pinned me in place, sharp and knowing, as if he could already anticipate my every move.He slid the phone closer to me, the screen lighting up as if it, too, was waiting for my response.Daring me to pick it up.Before I could respond, he picked up my phone. My pulse quickened as he studied it, his thumb gliding over the screen like a predator sizing up its prey.“Call
The haze lifted slowly, my mind wading through the fog and my body was leaden, limbs weighed down by some invisible force. My throat was parched, and my head throbbed with a dull ache.The muted light of the room seemed to pulse against the drawn curtains, pressing in with an almost suffocating weight. As I stirred, the room felt different. Stale yet eerily pristine. My eyes landed on the bedside clock. The time was familiar, but the date... it didn't make sense.Had I really been out that long?My chest tightened as fragments of the last time I was awake flitted through my mind. Nelson.How will he save me?I shifted carefully, every muscle screaming in protest as I pushed myself upright. The effort made me dizzy, but I was desperate to move, to feel alive again. My eyes fell on my arms, wrapped tightly in bandages. A shower.I needed to scrub away the staleness clinging to my skin, the invisible grime that made my skin crawl.But the bandages...Slowly, I swung my legs over the edg