Chapter 113

The hospital café sat empty at 2 AM, its harsh fluorescent lights casting an unnatural glow across the plastic tables. Camille stared into her untouched coffee, watching ripples form each time she trembled. Outside, rain pattered against the windows, blurring the city lights into smears of color.

Alexander slid into the seat across from her, setting down two fresh cups. The scent of strong espresso cut through the antiseptic hospital smell.

“You haven’t slept,” he said. Not a question.

Camille shook her head. She hadn’t changed clothes either, still wearing the navy suit from her meeting with Victoria’s lawyer twelve hours ago. The folder of handwritten notes sat on the table between them, untouched. She couldn’t bring herself to read Victoria’s words yet.

“They’re prepping her for surgery now,” she said, her voice raw from hours of silence. “Four hours, they said. Maybe five.”

Alexander nodded, watching her face. His own showed signs of fatigue, the sh