Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 205

The surgical light continued to burn red.

The atmosphere in the corridor was suffocating. The clinical scent of antiseptic mingled heavily with the raw tension in the air.

Nora sat rigid on the bench, her knuckles white as she clamped her hands over her knees. A suffocating wave of despair crashed over her, grounding her to the spot.

Her eyes were bloodshot, but no tears fell. Her lips were pressed in a tight line, her entire body strung as tight as a wire just seconds from snapping.

Hudson crouched in front of her, framing her face with his large hands. His thumbs gently brushed away the dried tear tracks on her cheeks.

"Nora, look at me."

Nora's gaze was unfocused for a beat before it finally locked onto him.

Her eyes were lined with red, dilated with sheer terror. She looked heartbreakingly fragile.

"Xavier is going to be fine."

Hudson's voice was a low, anchoring rumble. "St. Paul's Preparatory is right next to the best private trauma center in San Francisco. The ambulance got there in under ten minutes, and the medics stabilized him perfectly. He will pull through."

Nora nodded wordlessly, clinging desperately to his hands.

Her fingers were as cold as ice.

Hudson enveloped her hands completely, using his own body heat to steadily warm away her trembling.

He stayed with her until her ragged breathing finally leveled out. Only then did he stand. "I need to make a call. I'll be right back."

Nora nodded and reluctantly let go.

Hudson strode to the end of the hall and pushed through the heavy fire exit doors.

The stairwell was dead silent, illuminated only by the sickly green glow of the emergency signs, which cast harsh, lethal shadows across his chiseled profile.

Arthur slipped in behind him, the heavy metal door clicking shut to cut off the noise of the corridor.

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