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Chapter 13

last update Last Updated: 2025-07-17 19:09:22
𝘼𝙇𝙀𝙍𝘼

It's completely dark now, when I finally get to the hospital. My foot is still throbbing, I'm limping as I make my way inside. I should probably get it checked, might have broken a few bones. But, it's just a passing thought. It'll just pile up the bills even higher.

Andrea is at the nurse’s station when I walk in. She spots me almost immediately.

"Alera," she calls out.

I hobble over to her, trying to keep my wince casual.

"You're limping," she says as her brows knit together.

I smile, waving it off. "I'm fine. It's nothing. Just... clumsiness."

She doesn’t look convinced, but she lets it go. "You heading to see your dad?"

"Yeah. Thought I’d stop by."

Andrea gives me a soft smile and squeezes my shoulder gently. "He's been awake on and off. He'll be happy to see you."

My stomach tightens. I nod, offering a tight-lipped smile before making my way down the hallway.

As I approach the room, I glance through the small rectangular window in the door. His eye
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