That night, Ethan and Cassandra stayed back at the hospital with Lila.
Grace had insisted earlier on phone call that she would return later in the evening. She didn't feel comfortable leaving her daughter alone, especially after everything that had happened.
"I'll come back tonight," she had said firmly while packing her bag. "I don't think I can sleep at home."
But Cassandra quickly stepped in.
"Aunty, she'll be fine," she said calmly. "I'm here, and Ethan is here too."
Grace hesitated, still unsure.
Cassandra leaned closer and added with a small smile, "Besides… Ethan doesn't look like someone who's leaving anytime soon."
Ethan, who was sitting quietly beside Lila, looked away slightly, but a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Alright," she finally agreed. "But call me if anything changes."
"We will," Cassandra assured her.
Grace sighed hesitant
"Take care of her."
"I will," Cassandra replied.
With that, Grace ended the call
The night gradually became quiet.
The hospital corridors were less busy, and most of the lights were dimmed. Inside Lila's room, the atmosphere felt calm.
Lila lay on the bed, resting comfortably. She felt weak, but she was no longer in pain. More importantly, she felt safe.
Ethan sat beside her, his chair pulled close to the bed. He didn't say much. He just stayed there, occasionally glancing at her to make sure she was okay.
Cassandra sat on the couch across the room, scrolling through her phone.
After a while, she looked up.
"You've been staring at her for like ten minutes straight," she said.
Ethan didn't deny it.
"I just want to make sure she's okay," he replied.
Cassandra smirked slightly.
"She's breathing fine, in case you didn't notice."
Ethan ignored the teasing.
Lila shifted slightly on the bed, her hand brushing against Ethan's. Without thinking, he adjusted his hand so she could hold it comfortably.
She didn't wake up, but her fingers curled lightly around his.
Cassandra noticed and shook her head with a small smile.
"Yeah… you're not going anywhere," she muttered.
Lila slept peacefully that night.
There was a faint smile on her face, one that didn't go unnoticed by Ethan.
For the first time in a while, everything felt… normal.
Across town, however, the night was anything but peaceful.
Victoria sat inside a holding cell at the police station.
From the moment she arrived, she had been loud and uncontrollable.
"This is ridiculous!" she shouted, pacing back and forth. "You can't keep me here!"
The officers ignored her.
"I swear, none of you will go scot-free!" she continued angrily. "When I get out of here, I'll make sure all of you regret this!"
Still, no one responded.
That only made her more frustrated.
Not long after, her parents arrived.
They had just returned from a trip to Qatar and came straight to the station after hearing the news.
Her mother rushed forward immediately.
"My baby!" she cried, her voice full of worry. "What happened? Why are you here?"
Victoria's expression changed instantly. She moved closer to the bars.
"Mummy… this place is uncomfortable," she said, tears forming in her eyes. "I don't like it here."
Her mother's face softened.
"Don't cry, okay? Mummy will get you out," she said quickly. "You don't belong here."
Victoria nodded, still upset.
Meanwhile, her father stood quietly behind them, observing everything.
After a moment, he gestured to one of the officers.
"Officer," he said. "Can we talk outside?"
Outside the station, he got straight to the point.
"How much do we need to pay?" he asked.
The officer looked at him, surprised.
"Excuse me?"
"How much?" he repeated calmly.
The officer shook his head.
"With all due respect, sir, I do not accept bribes."
Victoria's father frowned slightly.
"You don't understand—"
"I understand perfectly," the officer interrupted. "Your daughter is being held for attempted murder."
That statement landed heavily.
"It's a serious offense," the officer continued. "If you want to help her, you'll need to speak with the prosecuting party."
He turned and walked back inside without another word.
Victoria's father remained standing there.
For once, he had nothing to say.
"…Ethan," he muttered quietly.
The next morning…
Sunlight filtered into Lila's hospital room.
Lila slowly opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was Ethan.
He was sitting close to her, looking down at her.
"Morning, beautiful," he said with a small smile.
Lila blinked, then smiled shyly.
"Hey… morning."
She stretched slightly.
"Didn't you sleep?"
"I did," he replied. "I just woke up early."
He paused, then added, "You looked really peaceful."
Lila looked away, already blushing.
"Ethan…"
"I mean it," he said lightly. "You looked cute."
She covered part of her face with her hand.
"You should stop saying things like that."
"Why?"
"Because it's embarrassing," she replied.
Ethan laughed softly.
"I'll get used to it," he said.
Before she could respond, the door opened suddenly.
"Lila!"
Cassandra walked in quickly.
"I just spoke with the doctor," she said excitedly. "You're getting discharged this afternoon!"
Lila sat up slightly.
"Really?"
"Yes," Cassandra nodded. "He said you recovered faster than expected."
She glanced at Ethan and added playfully, "Must be because of some special motivation."
Lila rolled her eyes.
"Cassie…"
Ethan just smiled.
After a short while, Lila looked at him again.
"You should go home and freshen up," she said. "You've been here all night."
Ethan shook his head.
"I'm fine."
"I know, but still," she insisted. "Go. I'll be okay with Cassandra."
He stepped closer to the bed.
"You sure?" he asked, gently placing his hand on her head.
Cassandra crossed her arms.
"Obviously she'll be fine," she said. "I've been taking care of her before you even showed up."
Ethan laughed.
"Alright, alright."
He looked back at Lila.
"Go and come back quickly."She said
Then, without thinking too much about it, he added,
"Okay, baby."
Cassandra froze.
"Baby?"
Lila's eyes widened instantly, her face turning red.
"Ethan…"
He smiled, clearly amused.
He walked toward the door, then turned back.
He blew her a kiss.
Lila hesitated for a second, then lifted her hand and pretended to catch it.
Cassandra clapped.
"This is getting out of hand," she said, laughing.
Ethan shook his head and walked out.
Lila leaned back against the pillow, still blushing.
Her heart was beating faster than usual.
But this time, it wasn't fear.
It was something else.
Something new.
And she wasn't sure what to do with it yet.