bChapter /bb383 /b

    Charlotte hadn’t been back to the hospital in a while, iso /iwhen she

    stepped onto her floor, the head nurse and the three nurses on duty all looked surprised.

    “Dr. Sterling, you’re back?”

    She nodded and managed a small smile. “Is Professor Carstairs in today?”

    One of the nurses replied, “Dr. Carstairs and Dr. Moore stepped out, but Dr. Lennox is here.”

    Thanking her, Charlotte made her way to the office to find Noreen. Noreen waspletely absorbed, scribbling a prescription for a patient, and didn’t even notice Charlotte had entered–so Charlotte cleared her throat

    softly.

    Noreen looked up, startled at first, then leaned back in her chair with a smirk. “Well, look who finally decided to show up. Took your time, didn’t you?”

    Charlotte gave a sheepish grin. “I really couldn’t get away. I’ve been trying to make it back here.”

    Noreen teased, “Honestly, I was starting to think you and your almost–ex were calling off the divorce and saying goodbye to Riverspire City for good!”

    Charlotte shot back immediately, “Who said that? I have no intention of leaving Riverspire.”

    Noreen stood and crossed the room to her. “Alright, enough about that. Vera’s already filled you in about your brother, hasn’t she? Come on, I’ll take you to his room.”

    Together they left the office.

    “How’s he doing?” Charlotte asked as they walked.

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    “He’s shaken up, emotionally all over the ce. Vera says he’s been really withdrawn these past few days,” Noreen replied, ncing back at her. “Gentry called the police, and they questioned Tricia. Apparently, she even had to go down to the station to give a statement. She outright denied everything, though, and she’s got witnesses and security footage to back her up!”

    Charlotte’s lips pressed into a thin line. She wasn’t surprised by Tricia’s lies. Her voice was quiet. “She’s always had people covering for her. No

    wonder she acts so untouchable.”

    They reached the medical ward, and Noreen stopped outside Hiram’s

    room.

    Peering through the observation window, Charlotte saw him sitting in a wheelchair, his back to the door, staring out at the city through the

    window.

    After all these years as siblings in everything but blood, seeing him so alone tugged at her heart.

    To her, Hiram was as close as a real little brother could ever be.

    She pushed open the door and walked toward him.

    Hearing footsteps, Hiram turned his head. For a moment, his expression was vacant, but then something flickered in his eyes.

    Charlotte knelt carefully beside him. “I’m sorry, Hiram. I should’vee

    sooner.”

    Tears welled up in his eyes. His lips trembled–he seemed to have a thousand things he wanted to ask, but when he tried to speak, only a string of broken, wordless sounds came out.

    Seeing him so distressed, Charlotte quickly reached out tofort him. “Hey, it’s okay, I’m here now. I won’t leave you again–promise.”

    That was all it took. Hiram broke down, sobbing, finally letting out all the pain he’d been holding back.

    She wrapped her arms around him, soothing him just as Rachel used to,

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    all those years ago.

    It wasn’t until after Hiram had taken his medication and drifted off to sleep that Charlotte finally stepped out into the hallway.

    Noreen met her outside. “How is he?”

    Charlotte frowned. “Honestly, I don’t think his breakdown was just because of the ident. He seemed almost… wary of me.”

    “Vera mentioned that when she got there the other day, Tricia was already with him. You don’t think Tricia said something to him, do you?”

    Charlotte’s expression darkened. “It’s definitely possible.”

    “By the way, I haven’t seen Vera at work todayi,” /iNoreen added.

    As soon as she heard that, a realization struck Charlotte. She grabbed Noreen’s hand, urgent. “Can you keep an eye on Hiram for me? I need to

    find her. Now.”

    Meanwhile, Vera had spent two days analyzing the footage from Tricia’s surveince camera and had finally found something–the video was

    doctored.

    Just then, the doorbell rang; Vera assumed it was her food delivery.

    She got up to answer it, but as she opened the door and saw two men in ck standing outside, her face froze.

    Charlotte took a cab straight to the Gardenia Apartments, heading straight for the elevators.

    She rode up to Vera’s floor, and as soon as the doors slid open, she strode to the apartment, punched in the code, and swung the door wide.

    “Vera?” she called out.

    The apartment waspletely silent. Not a soul in sight.