Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 72

Rafe's POV

The hospital lights blur past as I sprint down the hallway, my pulse roaring in my ears. Fuck. She's here. Kiara's in the hospital. That means she woke up. That means she could—

I grit my teeth, shaking off the panic clawing at my chest. I can't afford to lose it. Not now. Not when everything's on the line. I take a deep breath, forcing myself to slow down, to think.

I push through the sliding glass doors, my eyes scanning the crowded waiting room, searching for familiar faces.

And there they are—JJ, Pope, Sarah, and Kiara's parents. All clustered together, their faces tight with worry, their eyes red-rimmed and swollen. JJ's pacing, his jaw clenched, his fists opening and closing at his sides like he's barely keeping it together. Pope's whispering something to him, his voice low and urgent, but I can't make out the words. I don't care what they're saying anyway. I'm not here for them.

I slip past them, keeping my head down, my shoulders hunched. Just another guy in a hoodie, blending in with the stream of visitors and patients. None of them even notice me as I make my way down the hall, my heart hammering in my chest.

I approach the nurses' station, forcing a strained, anxious smile onto my face as I lean over the counter. "Excuse me," I murmur, my voice soft and pleading. "I'm... I'm here to see my girlfriend. Kiara Carrera. Please, can you help me?"

The nurse looks up, her brow furrowing as she glances at the chart in front of her. "I'm sorry, but visiting hours are over," she says gently. "And only immediate family members are allowed—"

"Please," I cut in, stepping closer, my expression pleading. "Her parents—her friends—they won't let me see her. They don't approve of me, but... I just need a few minutes. I need to know she's okay."

She hesitates, her gaze softening slightly as she looks at me. I take a deep breath, digging into my pocket and pulling out a wad of cash—two crisp hundred-dollar bills. I slide them across the counter, keeping my gaze locked on hers.

"Please," I whisper softly, the desperation in my voice almost real. "Just let me see her. Just for a second."

The nurse's eyes flick down to the money, and I see the exact moment she makes her decision. She glances around quickly, and then, with a small, resigned sigh, she nods.

"Alright," she murmurs quietly, slipping the money into her pocket. "But only for a minute. If anyone catches you—"

"They won't," I say quickly, relief flooding through me. "I'll be quick."

She nods again, gesturing for me to follow her. I keep my head down, my hands shoved in my pockets as we weave through the maze of hallways. My heart's pounding so hard it feels like it's going to burst out of my chest. Every step, every turn, brings me closer to the room where Kiara is.

The door looms in front of me, and I take a deep breath, schooling my features into a mask of calm. The nurse pushes it open and nods for me to go inside.

"Remember—just a minute," she murmurs, her gaze flicking nervously up and down the hallway.

I nod, slipping inside and shutting the door behind me as quietly as I can. The room is dimly lit, the faint beep of monitors filling the silence. And there, lying on the bed, is Kiara.

Her eyes are closed, her face pale, but I can see the slight rise and fall of her chest. She's awake. She's breathing.

And she's alone.

I step closer, my heart hammering in my chest, my gaze locked on her face. Then, as if sensing my presence, her eyes flutter open. The moment she sees me, her entire body goes rigid, her gaze widening with a mix of fear and shock.