Chapter 301
[ 496 words ]
Chapter 301:
Her breathing hitched sharply. The slow, controlled rhythm shattered, transforming into rapid, shallow gasps. The dissociation evaporated, and the raw, suffocating grief flooded her nervous system.
Brenna stepped back quickly. She was alarmed by the sudden, violent shaking taking over Caroline’s entire body.
Caroline’s knees buckled abruptly. The physical toll of the massive trauma, the lack of sleep, and the severe drop in blood sugar instantly shut down her overloaded nervous system.
She pitched forward toward the hard tile floor. Julian lunged from his plastic chair. He caught her waist just before her head hit the ground.
Caroline was completely unconscious. Her face was ashen, drained of all blood. Her skin was clammy and freezing to the touch.
Julian cursed under his breath. He immediately checked her carotid pulse. He found it weak and thready, a clear sign of sheer physical exhaustion and emotional shock.
He scooped her up effortlessly into his arms. He barked at Brenna to open the heavy doors and clear the hallway.
He carried her out of the freezing morgue. He bypassed the main elevators and took the service elevator straight up to the third-floor resident wing.
He kicked open the door to an empty on-call room. It was a small, sterile space with a single narrow cot against the wall.
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘤𝘰v𝘦𝗿 ո𝘦w 𝘴𝘁𝗼𝘳i𝘦𝗌 𝘰𝘯 𝗴а𝗅𝗻o𝘃𝘦𝗹𝗌.с𝗼𝘮
Julian laid Caroline down gently on the thin mattress. He pulled a scratchy white hospital blanket up to her chin, tucking it around her shivering shoulders.
Brenna hovered in the doorway. She bit her nails nervously. She asked Julian if Caroline needed an IV drip or any immediate medical intervention.
Julian shook his head. “It’s not just trauma; it’s a full system overload. Let’s get a line in her for some fluids and glucose, but no sedatives. What she needs most right now is for her brain to shut down and reboot on its own. We’ll monitor her vitals from here.”
He pulled up a small wooden stool next to the cot. He sat down, resting his elbows heavily on his knees. He buried his face in his hands, rubbing his tired eyes.
Brenna watched Julian’s absolute devotion. She felt a sharp pang of sadness for the unrequited nature of his care, but she quickly set it aside to focus on her friend.
She told Julian she would go down to the administrative office to begin handling the horrific mountain of death certificates and paperwork. She quietly closed the door, leaving them alone in the dim room.
Julian reached out. He gently brushed a stray lock of dark hair from Caroline’s pale, sleeping face. He vowed silently to sit right there and protect her while she slept.
Miles away from the sterile hospital walls, a secure cell tower signal bounced across the Potomac River. It traced a path straight into the affluent heart of Georgetown.
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Romero estate. It illuminated the lavish, mahogany-paneled private study.
Cornelia sat behind a massive antique desk. Her perfectly manicured fingers drummed a nervous, erratic rhythm on the polished wood surface.
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