191: Fragile Threads 191: Fragile Threads Elion’s footsteps echoed sharply against the polished hospital floor, his long coat billowing behind him as he strode through the corridor.
“Sir, please—don’t run!” a nurse called out from behind the reception desk, her voice both firm and concerned.
“Calm down!
The patients—” Elion didn’t even spare her a glance.
His heart pounded violently against his ribs, drowning out everything around him.
The world blurred at the edges, the distant voices of doctors and patients fading into white noise.
His sharp eyes flicked to the room numbers as he passed, counting down the doors until— 703.
He stopped abruptly, his breath catching in his throat.
For a single heartbeat, he stood frozen, staring at the plain white door as if it might shatter beneath his gaze.
His fingers curled around the cold tal handle, but his chest squeezed painfully—fear clawing at the edges of his mind.
But then he heard it.
A faint rustle from inside.
The sound of soft breathing.
Without another thought, Elion pushed the door open.
His silver eyes swept over the small space, instantly locking onto the fragile figure lying on the bed.
Raelynn.
She was curled beneath thin white sheets, her face pale, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths.
Wisps of dark hair clung to her damp forehead.
The sight sent a fresh wave of panic crashing through him, tightening around his throat like a vice.
“Raelynn…” Her eyelids fluttered at the sound of his voice.
“Elion…” His heart squeezed painfully at the fragile way she called his na, barely above a whisper.
He crossed the room in three long strides, dropping to his knees beside the bed.
His arms wrapped around her without thinking, pulling her close— but not too tightly.
He held her like she might break beneath his touch, his fingers trembling as they buried into her hair.
Raelynn’s small hands rose slowly, patting his shoulder with gentle, soothing strokes.
“I’m fine.” “Just… stay like this,” Elion whispered against her hair, his voice raw.
“Please.” Her delicate fingers stilled against him.
“Okay…” Neither of them moved for a long while.
Elion’s eyes squeezed shut, pressing his face into the curve of her neck.
He could feel the faint warmth of her skin, hear the weak rhythm of her heart against his chest—still beating, still alive.
The knot of fear that had been twisting inside him since Reinhart’s call began to slowly unravel, but the weight of guilt settled heavier in its place.
“God, Raelynn…” he murmured quietly.
“I thought—” “I’m sorry…” Raelynn whispered back, her voice soft and broken.
“I didn’t an to worry you…” Elion swallowed hard, pulling back just enough to look at her face.
His sharp gaze traced over every inch of her pale features, searching for any sign of injury.
His thumb brushed gently along her cheekbone, where a faint flush blood beneath her skin.
“What happened?” he asked, his voice still tight.
“Why are you here?” Raelynn’s lashes fluttered as she glanced down at her hands resting in her lap.
“I felt dizzy… everything started spinning… and then I just… fainted.” Her eyes flicked up slowly, full of quiet sha.
“Axel brought here.” At the ntion of his na, Elion’s head snapped up—and for the first ti, he noticed the other presence in the room.
Axel stood near the window, arms crossed over his chest, leaning casually against the wall as if he belonged there.
His sharp eyes t Elion’s gaze without flinching, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Nice to see you again, Elion.” Elion’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing into thin slits.
“How dare you take her away.” Axel’s smirk only deepened.
He pushed off the wall, his boots clicking softly against the floor as he took a step closer.
“Your little spy already told you everything, huh?” He flicked a glance toward Reinhart, who stood stiffly by the door, his face carefully blank.
Elion’s eyes darkened dangerously.
Raelynn’s small fingers tugged at his sleeve, drawing his attention back to her.
“It’s fine,” she whispered.
“There’s nothing to worry about… The doctor said it was just fatigue.” Elion’s gaze flicked back to Axel, the tension coiling tighter beneath his skin.
“Reinhart,” he said without breaking eye contact.
“Find the doctor who checked on her.” Reinhart gave a small, silent nod before slipping out of the room, leaving them alone.
Elion’s attention snapped back to Raelynn, his hand brushing over her forehead as if to reassure himself that she was truly okay.
His fingers lingered against her skin, his expression softening—but only for a mont.
Then his sharp eyes cut back to Axel, the anger simring beneath his calm facade returning with full force.
“Why the hell did you run with him?” he demanded, his voice low but fierce.
“Do you have any idea what you put through?” Raelynn’s lower lip trembled slightly, guilt flickering in her eyes.
“I’m sorry… It won’t happen again.” Elion’s gaze softened at her apology—but only for a heartbeat.
“Of course it won’t,” he said darkly.
Axel’s low chuckle broke the tension.
“Relax, Elion.
I didn’t lay a finger on her.” He leaned back against the wall again, crossing his arms.
“I would never hurt her… or her baby.” Elion’s body went rigid.
For a split second, sothing flickered behind his eyes, but he masked it just as quickly, his face hardening once more.
Without a word, he pushed off his knees and rose to his full height, crossing the room in slow, asured steps until he stood re inches from Axel.
Elion’s jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his sides.
But before the tension could snap, Raelynn’s soft voice broke through the thick silence.
“Elion…” His head whipped around imdiately, his cold glare lting away the second he saw her tired eyes watching him.
“Please… don’t fight.” Elion’s heart clenched painfully.
With one last glare at Axel, he turned away and walked back to her side, brushing a tender hand through her hair.
“Rest,” he murmured, his voice softer now.
“I’m here.” Elion walked back to Axel before leaned in closer, his breath brushing against Axel’s ear.
“Don’t expect to let her et you again.” Axel’s smirk didn’t waver, but sothing flickered in his gaze—sothing sharp and knowing.
“We’ll see.”
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