Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway.


    Turning her head, Ste saw Haynes appear, his face pale as a ghost.


    As soon as he caught sight of her, Haynes asked, "How''s Star doing?"


    Joshua shook his head. "I''m not sure. I just got here myself."


    Without another word, Haynes knocked gently and stepped into the hospital room. Inside, Abby was hunched over Ste''s bedside, sobbing uncontrobly.


    "Star, this is all my fault," she choked out, her voice trembling. "If I hadn''t run my mouth, Leonard wouldn''t have targeted you, and your hands... they wouldn''t be


    Her tears fell fast and heavy, like pearls slipping off a broken ne.


    Since she''d regained consciousness, Abby had been drowning in guilt.


    Ste was only recently awake herself. She tried tofort Abby, her voice soft but steady. "Abby, this has nothing to do with what you said the other day. Even if you''d kept quiet, the fact that Aurora is illegitimate would havee out eventually, and Leonard would still have med me. That''s just the way he is."


    She reached for Abby''s hand, her own wrapped thickly in bandages. "The important thing is that you''re safe. If anything had happened to you... I don''t think I could''ve forgiven myself."


    Abby was caught in the aftermath of Ste''s troubles-there was no denying it.


    Thank God Leonard hadn''t gone so far as to actually hurt her. And thank God Foreman''s people had arrived in time, or Abby might have drowned.


    Hearing Ste''s words only made Abby cry harder.


    Foreman, who''d been standing quietly nearby, froze for a moment. A flicker of regret crossed his face, quickly reced by a simmering hatred for Leonard. If he ever had the chance to get his hands on that man, he would make him pay-a hundred times over.


    Neville cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "I''ve already contacted Dr. Burton. He''ll be arriving in Sandford this afternoon. There''s still hope for Star''s hands."


    At the mention of Dr. Burton, Ste''s eyes flickered with emotion.


    She was silent for a few moments, then said, "It was Leonard who orchestrated the kidnapping, not Sellers. Sellers neverid a hand on me. Please, don''t mention Sellers to Dr. Burton-I don''t want to make things moreplicated for him."


    Ste was still thinking of her rtionship with Dr. Burton.


    She


    t to put him in a diff


    Abby bit her lip. Compared to Leonard, Sellers'' past mischief seemed almost harmless.


    Just then, someone knocked at the door.


    Haynes entered, with Joshua following close behind.


    Stey on the bed, pale and fragile, her hands swathed in thick bandages.


    Joshua nced at her, then quickly looked away.


    Haynes came to her side, his voice rough with emotion. "I''m so sorry, Star. I should''ve protected you."


    Ste shook her head. "It''s not your fault. I crossed paths with someone I wasn''t prepared to handle. No one can Shield me forever. I just wasn''t strong enough, not this time."


    She turned to Haynes, her voice barely above a whisper. "What about Keen? Is


    he alright?"


    "He''s fine," Haynes assured her.


    Only then did Ste seem to rx.


    "I''ve arranged for the best medical team I could find," Haynes added. "They should be here by tomorrow."


    He and Neville asked a few more


    questions about her injuries, but et


    Ste, though awake, was still weak. Afte only a few words, exhaustion washed over her face.


    Sensing this, Abby spoke up. "Star''s tired. Let''s all step out for a bit and let her rest."


    No one disagreed.


    As they left the room, Neville finally seemed to notice Joshua, who''d barely said a word the entire time.


    Once everyone had filed out, Abby gently pulled the covers around Ste.


    "Rest for a while, Star. I''lle check on you soon."


    She was almost out the door when Ste suddenly called her name.