Broken Hands

148. Grayson's off

The hospital buzzed with a mix of healthy and sick people, but sickness always seemed to dominate the air. Julian had grown used to the sterile walls, the faint scent of antiseptic, the hushed murmurs of doctors and patients. This had been his routine for weeks now. His mother lived down the street and he had moved in with her for the time being, to be closer to Russell. He had shut down his social life for this, and now the holiday was slipping away, ending faster than he was ready for.

"Mum," Julian began, hesitating just slightly before his tongue ran ahead of him. "Are you gonna leave? For long? Are you leaving?"

It had crossed his mind before, the thought of her disappearing again. She was closer now, and he was growing too comfortable with her presence—too comfortable with the idea of having her around. He would hate it if she just vanished, like she always did. Besides, the divorce had to be finalized by now.

Nora brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression tender. "I'm here," she assured him. "And I'm not leaving soon."

Julian nodded, swallowing the doubt that threatened to surface.

"How's the divorce going?" he asked, voice carefully neutral.

She glanced at him, then shrugged a shoulder. "Supposed to be done this week."

A light pang settled in Julian's chest. But he nodded. "Great," he murmured.

They ran into Rita just as she was leaving Russell's room. Nora greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, their perfumes mixing in the air, a blend of floral and something warm. Both smelled heavenly.

"Hello, Julian." Rita smiled. "Russell said you promised to send him that picture of you guys in Paris."

Julian nodded, barely paying attention as he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Does it hurt?" The nurse standing at the foot of Russell's bed moved his foot slightly, watching for a reaction.

Russell shook his head. "Just a throb." She nodded and jotted something down on her clipboard.

"Hello, ma'am. Hi, Russ," Julian greeted.

The nurse turned around, offering him a professional smile before stepping away.

Julian dropped into the chair next to Russell. "What now?"

"More tests," Russell replied, sighing. The nurse muttered a quick goodbye before leaving the room.

"That must suck. Thank God you'll be out in a heartbeat," Julian said. "Then we'll be back at the castle. With Grayson."

Russell nodded, but his expression turned slightly into a frown. "Grayson's not replying fast enough. I tried texting him, and he barely responded."

Julian felt a queasy feeling in his stomach. "Me too. And I don't like it. Dad said he was with Grandfather. I hope he's just having fun—that's why he can't return our texts."

Russell scoffed. "I doubt that."

"Savanna said he's not texting her either," Julian added.

Russell took in a slow breath. "Maybe he's shutting down again. As usual."

Julian bit his lip. "I don't like that. Besides, he never really told us what happened after... your accident."

"We'll ask him later," Russell offered.

The door creaked open. Julian glanced at Russell, then back at the figure standing in the doorway. Grayson strolled in.

But something was off. His body language. His eyes. The way he moved—it was all wrong.