All Chapters of Lost in Thy Arms: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

CHAPTER 52: FATHERS AND DAUGHTERSMaria rushed through the hospital corridors, her heels clicking against the linoleum, her mind still half-stuck in the restaurant booth with Alfred's eyes staring back at her. She pushed the thoughts aside. Sophia needed her.She reached the private room and pushed open the door —And stopped.Sophia was sitting up in bed, fully alert, her phone held inches from her face, thumbs flying across the screen. The bandages around her head had been replaced with a smaller dressing. The monitors beeped steadily. She looked, for all the world, like a perfectly healthy young woman who had simply decided to take her breakfast in bed."Sophia Martins."Sophia's head snapped up. Her phone tumbled onto the blanket."Maria! You came fast—""The doctor said no screen time. Your brain is healing. Do you know what screens do to a healing brain?""It's been two minutes—""Put it away."Sophia groaned, loud and theatrical, but she handed the phone over. Maria slipped it

CHAPTER 54: BOYFRIEND ACTSThe police station was quiet at this hour.Francis stood at the front desk, his presence filling the cramped space the way it filled every room. The officer behind the counter had gone pale the moment he walked in. They all knew who he was."Mr. Huston." The desk sergeant straightened. "We weren't expecting you.""I want Nelson released."The sergeant blinked. "Sir?""Are you deaf?""No, sir. I just— the charges are serious. Assault, unlawful detention—""I'm aware of the charges. I filed them." Francis's voice was cold. "I'm withdrawing them.""Sir, there are procedures. The victim's statement—""The victim is my sister. She's awake, she's recovering, and she wants this over." He leaned forward. "Release him. Today."The sergeant hesitated. "I'll need to speak with the inspector—""Then speak."A short, balding man emerged from the back office, clearly summoned by the commotion. Inspector Rhodes. He had been handling Nelson's case since the confession."Mr.

CHAPTER 56: BREAKFASTThe front door had barely clicked shut when footsteps sounded on the stairs.May appeared on the landing, her robe wrapped tightly around her, her expression alert. Her hand was on the banister. Her eyes swept the room — Maria at the kitchen counter with a half-eaten croissant in her hand, Alfred standing awkwardly by the entry table with the pastry bag still clutched in his fingers."Alfred," May said.Not a question. Not a greeting. Just his name, spoken with the weight of decades behind it."May." Alfred straightened. "I didn't mean to wake you.""You didn't.“ She descended the last few steps and walked past him into the kitchen. "I heard raised voices. Where is Francis?""He left" Maria said through a mouthful of croissant."I gathered." May filled the kettle and set it on the stove. Her movements were calm, unhurried. The kind of calm that came from years of practice. "Alfred, you might as well stay for breakfast. You came at the right time.""I don't want t

CHAPTER 58: THE WEIGHT OF SILENCEThe corridor was empty.Maria stood at the intersection of two hallways, her hand pressed against the cold wall, her breath coming in short, shallow bursts. The exit door at the far end had stopped swinging. The parking lot outside was still. There was no grey suit. No familiar shoulders. No Sylvester.There was nothing.She had imagined it. She must have imagined it.But I saw him. I know I saw him.She pushed the exit door open again, stepped outside, scanned the parking lot one more time. A nurse smoking by the curb. An elderly man being wheeled toward a waiting car. A mother carrying a sleeping child.No Sylvester.Maria pressed her palm against her forehead. She was tired. Stressed. Still processing the chaos of the morning — Alfred, Francis, the secrets that kept piling up. Her mind was playing tricks on her.Or maybe it wasn't.She didn't know which possibility scared her more.Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out with trembling fi

CHAPTER 60: THE GRACE WE GIVEThe hospital room was buzzing with activity.Sophia stood by the window, dressed in her own clothes for the first time in nearly two weeks. A soft blue sweater. Comfortable jeans. Sneakers that Jane had brought from her apartment. Her mother, Stella, was folding the last of her belongings into a small suitcase. A nurse checked her vitals one final time, marking something on a clipboard."You're officially free, Miss Martins," the nurse said with a smile. "The doctor signed your discharge papers. Just take it easy for the next few weeks. No strenuous activity. No screens for long periods. And if you feel dizzy or have any headaches—""Come back immediately. I know." Sophia smiled. "You've only told me twelve times."Sophia rolled her eyes, but there was no heat in it. She was too happy to be leaving. The same four walls. The same ceiling cracks. The same terrible food. She was done with all of it.Maria stood by the door, watching the scene with quiet sati