Roman pressed himself flat against the wall, his heart pounding, and his thoughts refused to settle.

"That verdict is not good enough for me." Mrs. Saunders’ voice cut cleanly through the noise, slicing straight into his thoughts.

"But I am waiting to hear him give that apology," she continued, her tone tight with bitterness. "That, along with the other punishments, will give me some respite while I pray for my son to open his eyes again."

Roman’s jaw tightened as his mind raced faster. If Leo is already in Magnus’s hands, then why does she sound like that? Something didn’t add up. And with Magnus, nothing was ever random.

He pushed himself off the wall, the movement abrupt, and turned back. Lena stood a few steps away, watching him quietly, worry etched into her face.

Roman met her gaze for a brief second. "I don’t trust you," he said plainly, already moving past her, "but you’re my only option right now. Let’s go."

Lena let out a quiet breath and followed, her footsteps quick as the noise behind them faded into a dull, distant hum.

Moments later, they reached her car, parked far from the chaos. Roman paused just long enough to glance back at the crowd, still swarming, still waiting. Waiting for him.

His jaw flexed. Then he turned, moving to the driver’s side. "I’m driving," he said curtly.

Lena didn’t argue. She simply circled to the passenger side and got in. Roman slid into the driver’s seat, his grip tightening around the wheel as he took one last look at the crowd through the windshield.

Then he started the engine. It roared to life, low and steady, and he pulled out, steering them away from the storm.

"Where are we going?" Lena asked, glancing at him.

Roman didn’t answer. His eyes stayed fixed on the road, his expression set, his mind locked onto a single objective. Within minutes, the hospital came into view.

He pulled into the parking lot, tires crunching lightly against the gravel as he brought the car to a stop. The engine cut off, leaving a brief, ringing silence in its wake.

Roman reached for the door handle, but a hand on his arm stopped him. He turned, his gaze sharp, questioning.

"You can’t go in there like this," Lena said, already reaching toward the back seat. She pulled out a cap from a small bag and held it out to him. "Take this."

Roman eyed her for a moment, suspicion flickering in his eyes. Then, with a quiet exhale, he took it and pulled the cap low over his face before stepping out of the car.

The hospital doors slid open with a soft hiss as they walked in, and the sharp scent of antiseptic hit immediately. Roman’s nose twitched slightly, the sterile chill of the place settling into his skin.

"Let me do the talking," Lena murmured, stepping ahead before he could object. She approached the front desk, her posture composed, her tone shifting smoothly.

"Hello," she said with a polite smile. "My name is Sydnee, and this is my friend, Archie. We’re here to see our teammate, Leo Saunders. He’s admitted here, right? The hockey player in a coma."

The nurse looked up at her, then her gaze flicked briefly to Roman before she turned back to her computer, her fingers hovering just a second too long over the keyboard.

Then she lifted her head again, her expression neutral as she looked back at Lena. "Leo Saunders is no longer here," she said at last, her voice measured. "He’s been moved to a private facility."

Lena glanced at Roman, then back at the nurse. "Can you please—" She broke off mid-sentence as she noticed Roman was already walking away. "Roman, wait." She hurried after him, her footsteps quick against the polished floor. "Where are you going?"

He didn’t answer, but his jaw tightened as he pushed through the hospital doors, the cool air outside hitting his face. The disappointment sat heavy in his chest, spreading fast. So the guard was right, Leo was there. But then, where is Estelle?

The thought refused to settle, circling, pressing harder with every step.

"What are you planning?" Lena asked when she caught up with him outside, her voice edged with concern.

Roman stopped and looked at her, his expression flat. "I let you come with me. That’s all. Don’t mistake it for trust." His eyes hardened. "You betrayed me once. I know you’ll do it again."

Lena shook her head quickly, frustration creeping into her expression. "I didn’t betray you. I don’t even know how they found my place. You have to—"

"Hey! It’s him!" The shout split the air.

Roman’s head snapped toward the voice.

"Roman Whitehall!" a man yelled, pointing. "You tried to kill Leo, we’ll make you pay for it!"

The tension snapped instantly, and voices rose, feet shuffled closer. Roman’s pulse slammed hard against his ribs as more people began to gather, their faces turning, recognizing, closing in.

He needed to move. Now.

"Let’s get out of here," Lena said quickly, reaching for his arm.

Roman didn’t take it. His gaze flicked from her to the growing crowd, then, without another word, he turned and broke toward the curb.

A cab rolled past, and he waved it down sharply. The car had barely come to a full stop before he yanked the door open and slid inside, his breath coming faster now. He glanced back through the rear window, and the crowd was already spilling onto the street.

"Drive," he said, urgency cutting through his voice. "Just take me away from here."

Outside, he caught a glimpse of Lena, phone pressed to her ear, her face tight with worry as she watched the cab pull off.

Inside the car, the noise faded quickly, replaced by the low hum of the engine and the muted rush of passing traffic. For the first time since everything began, it felt quiet. Too quiet.

Roman leaned back slightly, dragging a hand over his face. The silence pressed in, heavy, isolating. He had never felt this alone, not like this.

"Where to, sir?" the driver asked, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

Roman didn’t look up. "To the Whitehall estate."

The car slowed almost immediately. Roman frowned and lifted his gaze. The driver was staring at him now. Recognition clicked.

"It’s you," the man said, his expression sharpening. "I knew it."

The car rolled to the side of the road and came to a stop. The engine cut off with a dull click, and before Roman could react, the driver pushed his door open.

"Get out," he said, his tone firm. "Now."