The Kiss that Sparked it All (Ellinor and Theo) novel Chapter 2622

Victoria lingered hesitantly outside the emergency room where her father was being treated. Her heart was heavy with uncertainty, not knowing whether she deserved to stand vigil by her dad's side.

When she spotted Mara, seated on a chair by the door like a sentinel, a wave of intimidation washed over her, causing her to freeze in her tracks.

Balfour frowned upon seeing Victoria's tentative steps. It was her father inside, after all. There was no reason for her hesitation. With a firm grip, he escorted her to the threshold of the emergency room.

To Mara, however, their close proximity was nothing but a glaring display of affection. She was convinced that Victoria, with her cunning ways, was seizing even this grave moment to flaunt her relationship.

Mara's eyes blazed with fury as she watched their hands entwined. She could almost spit fire, so intense was her desire to tear Victoria apart.

"Mara, I... I want to wait for dad with you," Victoria stammered, her confidence crumbling in the presence of her domineering younger sister. She even attempted a feeble smile, a pitiful gesture to appease Mara, who sat aloof and unapproachable.

Mara spared her no more than a fleeting glance, her voice dripping with disdain. "Of course, you can wait. Who am I to say no? Feel free to join, but could you, perhaps, maintain a shred of dignity? Stop clinging to some boy. Have you forgotten what dad always told us?"

Like a deer caught in headlights, Victoria swiftly retracted her hand, only to flash Balfour an apologetic smile after catching his puzzled look.

"I know! I haven't dated during the semester. I'm well aware of my priorities right now," she protested, as if taking an oath before her sister.

Balfour could sense her distress and chose not to pursue the matter. Instead, his gaze turned to Mara, the instigator of this tension. She seemed vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place where he might have seen her before.