The silence of the hospital hallway was a shock to the system. The quiet hum of the building felt like it belonged to a different planet. I didn't stop walking until we reached the elevators, my heels clicking a frantic rhythm against the linoleum. My heart was still hammering, but the rhythm had changed; it wasn't the frantic beat of a trapped animal anymore. It was the adrenaline of someone who had just stepped out of the wreckage of a life and realized they were still standing.
Liam was right beside me. He didn’t say anything until the elevator doors slid shut, sealing us in the small, mirrored box. He reached out with his good hand, his fingers finding mine and squeezing tight. His knuckles were still white, his jaw still tight from the confrontation.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice
