Dangerous Affection

A Moment Of Hope Amidst The Chaos

(LILA'S POV)

I watched in horror as Quinn crumpled to the floor, knocked out cold by someone he used to call his friend. The sound of his body hitting the ground was sickening, a heavy thud that seemed to echo in my ears. But it wasn't the fall that shook me, it was the hollow laughter that followed. Clint's laugh bounced off the walls, empty and unsettling. It made my skin crawl.

I couldn't just stay quiet.
I had to think of something,FAST.

Clint turned toward me, his grin wide, but there was a coldness behind his eyes. "You see, Lila," he sneered, his voice dripping with satisfaction, "I told you. He couldn't handle it. He only acts tough. Now, Quinn will know how it feels to be nothing."

My heart raced as I forced myself to stand tall. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

Clint walked over to the bank of computers, his fingers flying over the keys as he gestured to the screens. Files. Images. Documents. Everything we needed to stop him was right there in front of us.

"This is where it all comes together," Clint said. "You're not just some hostage to me, Lila. You're part of the plan. You were basically helping me in the hospital without even knowing." His words hit me like a ton of bricks. The gravity of what he was saying, what he'd done, it all threatened to crush me. But I had to stay focused. I couldn't let Clint win.

I forced myself to breathe steadily. I had to get us out of here. I was a doctor. I had to fight for the patients, for Quinn, for everyone trapped in this nightmare. But even as my resolve strengthened, a part of me faltered. I couldn't deny it, Clint was winning. He had the upper hand. And Quinn was still unconscious.

I looked over at him, and my stomach twisted. He was still out cold, his body slumped against the floor. I could barely see his chest rise and fall, and a wave of panic surged through me. But before I could do anything, Clint turned to me again, a knowing smile on his face.

"Lila," he said, his voice smoother now. "You know, every time Quinn talked about you, it felt like I was getting to know you myself. I started liking you from his stories. You deserve someone better than him. You know that, right?"

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. "What are you talking about?"

Clint's smile only grew. "You and him, you're not even together. You never were. You can help me, Lila. You'll be rich, just like me. Think about it. Look at everything I'm doing, look at all the money I'm making." He waved his hand toward the computers, where the money was in plain view, along with images of patients, one of them being Jessica, a patient who had once been a part of my care. I froze. Seeing her face, her image attached to this web of corruption, it lit a fire inside me.

The moment I saw Jessica's face, I couldn't keep it together anymore. I had to fight back. But I couldn't do it recklessly. I needed a plan.

I took a slow breath, forcing my voice to stay calm. "I'll help you, Clint," I said, trying to manipulate him. "But you have to untie me. If you really want my help, you'll free me first."

He eyed me with suspicion, his gaze narrowing. "You're not fooling me, Lila," he said. "But... fine. I'll get you some water. Stay here."

As he turned to grab the water, I moved quickly, stretching my legs as far as I could. My heart pounded in my chest. I kicked Quinn's leg with my foot, trying to wake him.

His eyes fluttered, and slowly, he came back to himself, blinking as if trying to make sense of the situation. "Lila?" he groaned, his voice hoarse.

"Quinn, thank god," I whispered. I didn't care about the mission for a second, I just needed him to be okay. I quickly nudged him further awake. "We have to move. He's not going to away forever."

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