Matthew finally felt some of the tension leave his shoulders after hearing the doctor speak.


    "Will there be any aftereffects?" he asked, voice tight.


    Derek had gone through hell because of him. If anything happened to Derek, Matthew knew he would never forgive himself.


    The doctor pulled off his mask, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. He looked exhausted.


    "It''s hard to say. He''s got a lot of soft tissue injuries, and some of the stab wounds are pretty deep. He lost a lot of blood," the doctor exined. "Plus, being locked up for so long left him dehydrated and malnourished. He''ll need to stay in the hospital for a while and get plenty of rest. We have to keep a close eye on him."


    Matthew nodded. Some of the anxiety inside him faded a little. “Thank you. Please, take care of him. I know it''s a lot to ask."


    "It''s our job," the doctor replied with a small nod. "He''s been moved to a regr room now. You can go see him, but please do not to wake him. He needs all the rest he can get."


    "Thank you, Doctor."


    Matthew thanked him again and hurried down the hall toward Derek''s room.


    Inside, Dereky on the hospital bed, pale as a ghost, wrapped in thick bandages. A few of his deeper wounds still oozed blood. Even unconscious, his brow was furrowed, and his breathing came in quick, shallow bursts.


    "How is he?" West asked, hurrying in after hearing the news.


    "Not great," Matthew said with a tired, crooked smile. "Let''s let him rest for now. I''ll handle all the bills and anything else he needs,"


    West said, letting out a sigh. He ced aforting hand on Matthew''s shoulder. "You''re still a patient too. Let''s call it a day, alright? Go get some rest. I''ll stay here and keep an eye on him."


    "Alright."


    Matthew stood there for a moment, then turned and left.


    He really did need to rest, but something else was weighing on him. He had to call Reese back. During the chaos at the factory, his phone had buzzed in his pocket over and over, but there''d been notime to check it. Later, when they were


    making their getaway in the smoke, he managed a quick look at the screen. Missed calls. Messages. All from Reese.


    She was always so sensitive to little changes. He''d gone missing, and the nurse must have told her he''d left the hospital. She was probably worried sick by now.


    Back in his own room, Matthew


    pushed open the door and froze.


    Reese was sitting in the chair by his bed arms crossed. At the sound of the door, she lifted her head. Her face was icy, and her eyes shed with anger.


    Matthew''s heart skipped a beat. He straightened, suddenly feeling nervous.


    He knew Reese too well. That look meant she already knew everything.


    "Reese..."


    He softened his voice, trying to sound gentle, hoping she''d go easy on him.


    “Oh, you finally decided toe back?” Reese''s words cut through the silence, cold and sharp. “Matthew, I can''t believe you."


    The way she spoke, so calm and collected, was scarier than if she yelled. Matthew, who could face flying bullets without blinking, actually felt his hands start to sweat.


    He walked over and knelt in front of her, resting his hands on her knees, looking up at her with pleading eyes.


    "I... I got permission from the hospital. I swear."


    "You''re not even healed yet," Reese shot back, turning her head so she wouldn''t have to look at him. "You


    ve


    barely survived, and you still went to see Nathaniel alone."


    She refused to meet his gaze, afraid she might forgive him too quickly.


    If she didn''t give him a serious warning now, who knew what kind of trouble he''d get


    into next?