Live With Your Blood || LingOrm

Chapter 33: Desperate Choices

Mint was handling the paperwork at the hospital, ensuring Icha and the other victims from the warehouse received proper medical attention. She also filed a police report about the kidnappings, determined to hold someone accountable for the horrors they had uncovered.

Meanwhile, Gulf and Bow stayed with Ling, who was still recovering from her injuries. They did what they could to help, but the atmosphere was tense.

As Gulf walked into the living room, he froze when he saw Orm sitting there. His expression turned from concern to anger. "What are you doing here?" His voice was cold. "Leave before Ling sees you."

Orm stood up, anxiety written all over her face. "Where is she? Is she okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"How did you even get in? Did you... know the door passcode?" Gulf crossed his arms, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Yes. Ling told me," Orm nodded, guilt flickering across her features.

"I warned you to stay away from my sister. Didn't I make myself clear?" Gulf face hardened.

Before Orm could respond, the front door opened, and Ling appeared, leaning heavily on Bow's shoulder for support. Her arm was wrapped in a bandage, and her face was pale and drawn.

"Gulf," Ling's voice was tired but firm, "did I just hear it right? Did you really tell Orm to stay away from me?"

"Ling!" Orm rushed toward her, eyes wide with worry. "What happened to you?"

Ling waved her off weakly. "I'm fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. "Orm, why are you here?"

"I called you dozens of times, but you didn't answer. I... I was worried, and something just didn't feel right," Orm explained, her voice breaking slightly. "I came by to check on you, but no one was home."

"We talk about it later," Bow interjected, her tone insistent. "Ling needs to rest." She helped Ling up the stairs, not letting go of her arm.

Orm watched them go, longing to follow but hesitating under the weight of Gulf's glare.

"You really should leave," Gulf said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He turned and headed upstairs, leaving Orm standing in the living room.

As Gulf reached Ling's room, he overheard Bow's voice. "How could you go to that warehouse alone? In your condition, it's reckless! What were you thinking? What if you hadn't come back at all?"

"In your condition? Hadn't come back at all?" Gulf whispered to himself, frowning in confusion.

"I'm sorry," Ling murmured.

"Enough with the apologies," Bow said, frustration cracking through her voice. "You always act on your own, and then all we get are 'sorry' afterward. You can't keep doing this, Ling."

Gulf pushed the door open, his face stern. "Bow, she's hurt. Go easy on her."

Bow's eyes softened, and she took a step back, wrapping her arms around herself. "I know... I'm just upset because I was so scared." She glanced at Ling, her gaze softening. "We all were."

"I know. I promise I won't take any more risks like that," Ling said, she was already covered in blankets on the bed.

But as Gulf looked at the bruises on his sister's arm, a feeling of dread crept over him. Something wasn't adding up, and he had a sinking feeling that whatever was wrong with Ling ran deeper than just her physical injuries.

***************

After Ling had slept in her room, Gulf took the opportunity to ask Bow what was meant by "hadn't come back at all" that she said to Ling earlier.