Ezra looked away for a second, composing himself. When he spoke again, his voice was low, but firm. "I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't stepped in tonight."
Elaine's gaze grew sharper, more serious. "You do know," she said softly. "And that's why you won't let this go, Ezra. Not this time."
Ezra nodded, a deadly promise glittering in his darkened eyes.
"I won't."
At that moment, the door finally opened. A young doctor stepped out, clipboard in hand. Ezra immediately straightened, his full attention snapping to him.
"She's stable," the doctor said, professional but sympathetic. "The substances in her system were minimal… likely a single spiked drink. Fortunately, she didn't ingest enough to cause lasting harm, but she's severely dehydrated and exhausted. We're giving her IV fluids now. She'll sleep through most of the night, but she should recover fully."
Ezra exhaled slowly, a tension he hadn't even realized was strangling him finally releasing a little.
