Chapter 121 - Choices That Burn

Orion’s POV

The fluorescent lights of the hospital hallway buzzed faintly, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. I paced the corridor, my fists clenched and chest tight, replaying Ava's words over and over.

Her hatred burned into me like a brand.

She was right, wasn’t she? I had made my choice. And my choice had been Chloe.

Not because I wanted to, but because I couldn’t let go of the guilt.

But standing here right now, alone in a hospital that felt more like a tomb, I wasn’t sure if the weight of that guilt was worth everything I’d lost.

I needed air.

Without sparing another glance toward the ER, I turned and walked away. The cool night air hit me as I stepped outside, but it did nothing to calm the storm within. I leaned against the wall, my hands on my knees, trying to steady my breathing.

My mind drifted back to Ava, to the blood on her clothes, to the anger in her eyes, and to Mason’s hand on her back—a hand that lingered too long, too familiarly.