More Than A Favor

A Favor 142

Ethan and Tessa had always treated me like family. The thought of suspecting them, even for a moment, filled me with guilt and unease.

Yet, Nora's hesitation-and her unspoken suggestion-planted a seed of doubt in my mind.

My heart felt like it was in freefall, plummeting from a towering height. Panic washed over me, but I forced myself to steady my thoughts.

"I have to," I whispered, more to myself than to Nora.

The more my suspicions grew, the stronger my determination became. I needed to find the truth-not just for my father's sake but also to clear Ethan of any potential involvement.

Nora, perceptive as ever, read the turmoil in my mind. She didn't try to stop me or argue. Instead, she offered quiet support. "I'm here for you," she said softly.

Her words carried weight, but they also revealed something else. Perhaps Nora had already drawn her own conclusions. But those were hers, not mine. I needed the truth, no matter how painful it might be. After leaving the emergency ward, I hailed a cab. As I waited, I spotted Ben lingering nearby, pacing as he spoke on the phone.

"Yeah," he said, his voice low but clear enough for me to hear. "She fiddled around with the screen. Said she was trying to play some music.'

A chill ran down my spine, despite the sun beating down on me.

It was disturbingly clear who Ben was reporting to. But why?

If there was nothing to hide, why would my actions in the car-even something as simple as touching the console-be worth reporting?

into chaos, and I watched Ben

Sky Sanatorium. I couldn't afford to waste time. If I delayed, I might lose the chance to uncover the

Sanatorium was not an ordinary facility. As soon as I arrived, I was stopped by

Name and room number, please," one of the guards asked, his tone curt but

was looking for-Alfred Kramer-but I didn't know his room number. And even if I

"My family sent me here for a

change. "This isn't a public facility. We don't accept consultations

hidden meaning behind his words: this was an exclusive, heavily guarded place where outsiders weren't

I lingered nearby, trying to come

stood there, a car pulled up to the gate. The window rolled down, and I immediately

had led the group that

here to see Mr. Kramer," the man said, his

recognized him instantly and opened the gates without hesitation.

suspicions. This man

Alfred was undoubtedly the person Ashton had been investigating the one tied to his

to ignore. Could Alfred also have been involved in my father's car a

coincidences pressed down on me. I hadn't even met Alfred yet, but the sight of the bald man-someone I'd

unease.

no way to enter the sanatorium, I returned home, my thoughts tangled in a web of possibilities.