Chapter 1605:


    Slowly, Chris rose to his feet. He didn’t rush toward the door. Instead, he paused to straighten his cor, then walked toward her with measured, unhurried steps.


    Maia watched him approach, and only then did the tight coil in her chest begin to loosen.


    Without a word, she extended her hand — slender, yet holding a quiet strength that seemed capable of moving mountains.


    Chris nced down at it. The faintest curve touched his lips.


    He lifted his hand and sped hers firmly. Palm to palm. Warmth flowed between them. Fingers inteced, tight and sure.


    “Let’s go,” Maia said quietly.


    “Okay,” Chris replied.


    Beneath the soldier’s quiet, respectful gaze, they walked out hand in hand — leaving the building that had held him captive without a single nce backward.


    Meanwhile, in the VIP ward at Norase Hospital, Dominicy in bed with a creeping unease gnawing at him.


    It was far too quiet. Too quiet forfort.


    How long had it been? Even if Joshua had to crawl downstairs for the medicine, he should have returned by now.


    ????е bes?? ?????????????? ??x??е??i??????е ???? ????????????e????.????m


    The call button cable Maia had yanked out still dangled uselessly at the foot of the bed, swaying slightly like a silent taunt at his immobility.


    “Hmph!” Dominic grunted, jaw clenched, and pushed himself up onto his elbows with considerable effort.


    “That little brat,” he grumbled to himself. “Does she honestly believe I’m too old to get around? Having high blood pressure doesn’t mean I’m paralyzed!” Gritting his teeth, he shifted his weight inch by painful inch, stretching his arm toward the red button that had fallen just out of easy reach.


    It took more effort than he cared to admit — but his fingers finally closed around it. The instant he grasped the cord and plugged it back in, a strange thought struck him.


    Maia was sharp. Meticulous. Almost frighteningly so.


    If she truly intended to keep him confined, would she really leave such an obvious, easily reachable clue? The distance was hardly a challenge for a man of his experience.


    Unless she had done it deliberately. Was she buying time? Or was she trying to give him a way to save face?


    Dominic shook his head slowly, as if to dislodge the thought, and pressed the call button.


    A soft chime echoed through the quiet room.


    Soon, hurried footsteps thundered down the hallway. Joshua burst in with a nurse, both of them out of breath. “General! You’re awake? How do you feel?”


    Dominic sat up, his face stormy. Joshua’s heart sank instantly.


    Dominic’s re was lethal. “Where were you? Why didn’t you answer when I called? Are my orders no longer valid?”


    Joshua looked stunned. “General, that wasn’t the case at all!” He lifted the pharmacy bag. “Your granddaughter said you needed that special medicine urgently. She told me to fetch it from the pharmacy on the first floor, and afterward to stand guard at the end of the hallway and make sure no one disturbed your private talk. She said you two had important personal matters to discuss. I’ve been right there the whole time — no one got through!”


    Dominic stared, speechless.


    Private talk?


    .


    .


    .