A Bond Confirmed, Alarming Revelations

"I'm not leaving them," I insisted, arms crossed over my chest despite the pain radiating from my back. The medical staff exchanged glances, clearly frustrated with my stubbornness.

"Miss Thorne, you need treatment," the head nurse said firmly.

I shook my head. "Treat them first. I'm fine."

It wasn't entirely true. My back throbbed where I'd been thrown against the car, and exhaustion weighed on me like a physical burden. But compared to Jaxon and Kaelen, my injuries were nothing.

Jaxon's eyes met mine from his hospital bed, a mixture of pain and exasperation in his gaze. "Just let them check you over, Haz," he said, his voice still weak. "We're not going anywhere."

I hesitated, torn between my need to protect them and the practicality of getting myself patched up. Before I could decide, a nurse—Nora, according to her name tag—approached Kaelen's bed.

"I'll just check Mr. Vance's vitals," she said, reaching for his wrist.