The Bound Between Us

Northside Clinic

Tucked away on the edge of town, the street outside was nothing but shadows

and silence. It was well past midnight, and not even the hum of a car disturbed

the darkness.

Inside, the clinic's lights cast a soft glow, catching on bottles and clean sheets.

Rowan lay on a narrow bed, battered and bleeding. Hanna, the on-call doctor,

worked quietly beside him, her hands steady, but her eyes sharp with worry.

Rowan's injuries were no joke-five deep cuts traced across his face, hands, and

back, not to mention a dozen smaller wounds. Hanna dabbed ointment on each

one, her touch careful. Rowan gritted his teeth, jaw clenched so tight the muscles

in his neck jumped. He never made a sound, not even when his body shuddered

with the pain.

He'd dragged himself in after a fight that should have killed him, Hanna knew.

Four men against one-he'd survived, but just barely.

A sheen of sweat clung to Rowan's brow, his whole body tense. Hanna couldn't

keep it in anymore. "Was it worth it?" she pressed, voice low but fierce. "You

almost died for her. Does she even know? Does she understand what you've

gone through? Every scar on your face, your chest, your arms-she's the reason

you're lying here!"

her. She'd known Rowan for years,

him care about anyone-until

deep enough to scar. All this

because of Anastasia.

more than

made Hanna angrier-and left her

had done, maybe Hanna wouldn't

fool, throwing himself

no idea.

yet, the thought of Anastasia ever finding out made

for Rowan

him?

thought, always letting their hearts get the

finished bandaging him

sound

here behind your

he finds out,

Just stay here and

alright?"

nodded, eyes

looked like he was

bit of strength, Hanna

quietly, why

married.

this can't end well."

Rowan's mind

at

the

That was the first

had ever shown

really cared

crack of light in

He didn't need