Chapter 209 - Has Something Changed?

YouHeal Hospital

The morning sun cast a pale glow through the hospital's high windows, filtering through the corridors in soft streaks of gold and white. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic and fresh linens-a scent Savannah had grown to find oddly comforting.

She glided down the hallway with practiced ease, her white coat fluttering lightly behind her. With each step, the sharp click of her heels was accompanied by the softer, quicker footsteps of Bella, who walked alongside her.

It was meant to be just another routine check—nothing out of the ordinary. But Savannah's silence hinted at something deeper.

Bella stole a glance at her friend, noticing the weariness etched in her eyes and the tension around her mouth.

"What are your plans for further?" Bella asked, trying to keep her tone light, even though the question carried a heavy weight.

Savannah didn't respond.

Instead, her eyes remained fixed straight ahead, locked on the double doors of the ward at the end of the corridor. Then, without turning to Bella, she shifted the conversation, asking, "How's Tasy?"

Bella let out a soft sigh, recognizing the intentional change of subject.

"She's doing well," she replied.

Savannah offered a barely perceptible nod.

"Just make sure you both stay safe... through all of this."

No further explanation was needed. The secret plan, the investigation, the web of lies and danger swirling around them—it was all a storm that Savannah had no idea her friends were caught up in.

Herbert Medical And Technology

The silence in Blaze Baldwin's private office was thick-too thick. The only sounds breaking through were the faint hum of the city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows and the slow, deliberate shuffle of papers being turned. It was nearly 10 PM, and most of the building had gone dark, save for the top floor-Blaze's territory.

The massive office was as cold and pristine as the man who owned it. Black marble floors, a glass wall overlooking the skyline, and a single sleek desk that gleamed under the dim, warm lights. Blaze sat behind it like a king on a throne, the night pressing in around him, but not touching him.

His fingers moved quickly through the pages of a hefty contract, skimming over clauses, margins, and signatures. But even though his eyes were glued to the document, his mind was miles away—caught somewhere between the icy encounter at the supermarket and the emptiness in Savannah's eyes when they returned to the mansion.

She hadn't even flinched when he pulled her close. No smile, no resistance, but she hadn't leaned in either.

She was slipping away from him.

And Blaze despised not knowing why.

A knock on the heavy door shattered the stillness.

"In," he said, not bothering to look up.

Arthur stepped in briskly, dressed in his usual black, his movements sharp and practiced.

"Boss, we've got a new worker added to the warehouse team." His voice was low and clipped.

Blaze didn't glance up. "Who approved it?"

"Elijah."

At that, Blaze stilled. The rustle of pages ceased.

He slowly lifted his gaze to Arthur. His eyes were cold and unreadable, as if he were calculating a thousand moves ahead. Leaning back in his leather chair, he let the silence stretch.

"Run a background check. Thorough. I want the real history, not whatever fake profile he gave HR."

Arthur nodded. "Understood. I'll have it by tonight."

As Arthur turned to leave, Blaze's eyes followed him briefly, then dropped to the desk again. He was done with the contract in front of him-its ink and promises meant nothing compared to what was clawing in his mind.

He reached for his phone.

No hesitation, just sharp fingers moving swiftly across the screen.

"Let's have a talk."

He hit send. No greeting, no explanation. Just the message. Clean. Heavy.

That was exactly how he wanted it to feel.

The phone buzzed softly as it landed on the glass desk. He didn't look at it again.

Blaze leaned back, intertwining his fingers as he gazed out at the sprawling city beyond his windows.

He had waited outside the hospital for her today. He even had the driver park discreetly at the side entrance, just like he always did when he wanted to surprise her. Coffee in hand, he even picked up the chocolate croissant she loved.

But she never showed up.

He had called. Four times.

No answer.

Then one of his men told him she had gone to the store—with Elijah.

In that moment, his mind went completely blank. No anger, just a chilling clarity, a tightness in his chest. He drove there himself, fast.

When he found her, she was standing too close to Elijah.

Too comfortable. Too silent. Too unreadable.

Even now, her cold response echoed in his mind.

"I feel sleepy. Let's sleep."

She hadn't explained.

She didn't even look sorry.

Blaze rose from the chair, his tall frame casting a shadow across the office. He walked to the windows and stared out at the city. His reflection looked back at him—calm, controlled, but with a storm brewing in his eyes.

He had no doubt Savannah loved her son. He knew she'd do anything for him.

But what he couldn't shake—the thing that gnawed at him—was whether she had finally turned against him.

And Elijah... trusted, loyal Elijah...

Was he still on his side? Or had something changed there too?

There was a tension in the air.

Blaze could feel it—the whisper of betrayal.

He murmured under his breath, more to the city than to himself, "If you're hiding something from me, Ana... I'll find it. Even if it kills me."

And then the phone buzzed again, this time with a reply.

Author's Note :

We're close to the ending:)

Are we ready?

Thankyou for reading<3

Have a good day/night<3<3