Chapter 49
Chapter 49:
A young man in a white coat stood there. He had messy brown hair that looked as though he ran his hands through it constantly, and wire-rimmed glasses that had slid slightly down his nose. He had a kind, lopsided smile.
He stepped forward and pressed two fingers against the glass, directly above the selection pad.
Thunk.
A can of iced coffee dropped into the bin. He retrieved it and held it out to her.
“The sensor is temperamental,” he said simply.
Azalea stared at him. The frantic energy drained out of her. In the sterile, buzzing quiet of the hospital corridor, his calm felt like something solid to hold on to — a stark contrast to the useless paralysis she had witnessed less than an hour ago.
“I’m — Azalea,” she said, clutching the can.
“Dr. Liam Sumner,” he replied. “I’m the resident on duty. I’m heading up to check on the anaphylaxis patient in 302 p>
Azalea’s eyes went wide. “Eliza? You’re her doctor p>
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯
His smile warmed. “She was a year above me at university. Art History club. Brilliant. I haven’t seen her in over a year p>
Azalea’s mind shifted into gear. A doctor. Kind. Someone who already knew Eliza. A normal, decent human being.
“She’s my friend,” Azalea said. “Can I walk up with you? I was heading back anyway p>
“Sure,” Liam said, with a small, easy laugh. “Lead the way p>
They walked toward the elevators. Azalea found herself breathing a little easier, the sharp edge of the evening softened slightly by the presence of this quietly capable person beside her.
Just as the elevator doors began to slide shut, the hospital’s revolving doors burst open.
Anson Hyde. Frantic, shirt half-untucked, scanning the lobby with wild eyes.
He rushed to the reception desk. “I need to see Eliza Solomon. I’m Anson Hyde p>
The nurse behind the glass continued typing without looking up. “Visiting hours are over for non-family. Are you immediate family p>
Anson hesitated. “I’m the only family she has p>
“Name?” the nurse asked, finally lifting her eyes.
“Anson Hyde p>
She typed it into the system. A bright red box appeared on her screen.
ACCESS DENIED. SECURITY ALERT.
Her expression hardened. She reached for her phone. “Mr. Hyde, you are on our restricted list. You are not permitted on the premises p>
“That’s impossible!” Anson’s hand came down flat on the counter. “My family has a wing named after them in this hospital p>
“Security to the lobby, please,” the nurse said calmly into the receiver.
Two large uniformed guards stepped out from the shadows near the elevators and moved toward Anson with quiet, grim purpose.
Anson’s eyes tracked upward to the elevator display. The numbers climbed steadily.
2… 3…
He was locked out. Completely.
In Room 302, the atmosphere was quiet but charged.
Dallas had moved from the chair to the edge of the bed. He had his laptop balanced on his knees, typing emails with one hand while the other rested possessively over Eliza’s ankle beneath the blanket.
A knock at the door came, and before either of them could answer, it swung open.
“Eliza! Look who I found wandering the halls!” Azalea stepped in, looking significantly brighter than she had an hour ago.