Chapter 7 - The Boy He Wasn’t Supposed to Care About
Noah was moved into a private secured wing.
Nico paid for it anonymously.
Elena discovered it anyway.
“You promised.”
“I promised nothing.”
“You doubled my salary.”
“Correct.”
“And now this?”
“Security expense.”
“Nico.”
“Elena.”
She glared.
He looked almost amused.
Then Noah called from the bed.
“Are you two married?”
Both turned.
“No!” Elena said.
Nico answered at exactly the same moment.
“No.”
Noah grinned.
“Okay.”
Elena narrowed her eyes.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Later, Nico remained when Elena went to speak with the physician.
Noah studied him.
“You’re the scary guy.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“My sister likes you.”
Nico nearly choked.
“She does not.”
“She yells at people she likes.”
“She yells at everyone.”
“Exactly.”
Nico looked toward the door.
Noah became serious.
“If I die, will you make sure she’s okay?”
The question hit Nico harder than any bullet.
“You’re not dying.”
“That’s what she says.”
“Then listen to her.”
“You didn’t answer.”
Nico looked at the thirteen-year-old boy.
“I’ll protect her.”
Noah nodded.
“Promise?”
Nico had spent his life avoiding promises.
Promises created obligations.
Obligations created weaknesses.
But he extended his hand.
“Promise.”
Noah shook it.
Neither noticed Elena standing outside the partially open door.
She had heard everything.
That night, Elena cried quietly in the hospital stairwell.
Not because she was frightened.
May you like
Because for seven years she had carried everything alone.
And for the first time, someone had told Noah that protecting her mattered too.
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