Bound by Justice

-CHAPTER 28-

VALERIA

Walking out of the hospital, I gulp in a huge intake of fresh air. The nausea and the twists in my stomach finally calms down, and I sigh. Hospitals are the worst.

Today, Alison is getting discharged from the hospital and I came with the twins to take Alison home. And now, we're leaving the hospital which makes me feel more than happy. But inside, something is telling me that I need to address this dread of hospitals that I've been carrying for the past 5 years, but I push it aside. There's no need to recall unwanted memories associated with this place.

"Val, can we go get some McDonald's for lunch? I'm hungry," Mira asks, patting her growling stomach.

"Of course," I agree.

We enter the car, and I drive towards the nearest McDonald's. After paying for our order, we sit at one of the tables in the warm restaurant and the twins immediately dig in their food.

"Do you have any news of Xaiden?" Alison asks, biting in her double cheese burger.

I shake my head, and sigh worriedly. Since Xaiden left, I haven't gotten any call from him. Not even a message. I called him all day yesterday, but he didn't respond. I sent him multiple text messages, but still nothing. Even Mr. Dominic is not available. The unease in heart hasn't settled ever since they left and I just keep hoping that the situation isn't too bad.

"Do you think that everything will be fine?"

"I hope so." I answer, and quietly sip my soda.

The rest of lunch is spent in a heavy silence, and we make our way to the penthouse when we're done eating so that Alison can rest.

I fish out the keys from my bag and open the door. The twins and Alison enter the penthouse before I follow them in. To my surprise, I find Xaiden sitting in the living room, and the expression on his face makes my heart drop.

He hasn't noticed that we have come back, and is just staring into space with a deep frown. His lips are tight and his knuckles are bandaged.

"Xaiden!" The twins squeal and run to him, but when they see his angry expression, they halt.

"A-are you angry?" Mira asks hesitantly.

He snaps out of his thoughts, and tries to smile, but I can see the struggle. I can see the pain and the unending guilt behind those hazel green eyes that I missed seeing since he was gone. Something bad happened, and it must have been bad enough to make this man hurt deeply.

"How are my favorite little ladies?" He ask cheerfully, but I can feel the heaviness in his happy tone.

The twins glance at each other and the observant little kids already know that something is wrong.

"You don't have to pretend, you know?" Maïra walks towards him, and pats his hand gently to offer him some comfort.

"She's right. You don't have to hide and act like you're fine all the time," Mira continues, and they both hug him. I feel a burst of pride in my heart as I look at the scene in front of me.

Xaiden hugs them back, and I can see that some of his burdens lighten as he sinks in their comforting hug.

"Are you feeling better now?" Mira asks, releasing him from the hug.

"So much better," he answers, his tone is sincere and true.

"Where did you go, Xaiden?" Maïra asks.

The sadness returns in his eyes, "I went to visit the orphanage. I'm sorry that I couldn't save them all."

That statement makes the blood drain from my face. "W-what do you m-mean you couldn't save them all?"