What a jerk.

Evelyn sighed, watching Ronan Vale walk out of the room with that same cold arrogance. She shook her head, brushing away any lingering thoughts about him. A complete nuisance. Sure, she had been distracted, but he was speeding like a maniac too. It wasn't all her fault.

"Ev, are you sure you're okay?" Naomi's worried voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Evelyn exhaled. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. It's nothing major." She offered a small smile. "I just need some rest. I'll probably stay here tonight. My car's a mess, and honestly, I'm too tired to even think about going home."

As she settled back against the hospital bed, another voice interrupted.

"Evelyn!"

Felix rushed in, slightly out of breath. His eyes scanned her face, checking for any signs of serious injury. "Are you okay?"

Evelyn nodded. "I'm fine, Felix."

But she couldn't shake the weight pressing on her chest. Too many things had happened. The kids.

She turned to Felix and Naomi, her voice softer now. "What about Cassian and Elara?"

Naomi answered, "Childcare authorities came in earlier. They've been assessing the situation, and they've decided to transfer all the children from that orphanage. Cassian and Elara will be taken to a safer place."

Felix nodded in agreement. "It's the right call. Beatrix is being investigated, and those kids deserve a better home."

Evelyn's heart eased slightly. At least now they won't have to suffer anymore.

Still, exhaustion finally caught up with her, and she drifted off into a restless sleep. But it didn't last long.

A sudden, piercing scream jolted her awake.

Chaos erupted outside her room. ER patients flooded in—accidents, emergencies, the usual madness. Evelyn blinked, checking the time. Five hours had passed. Her body ached, her head still throbbed, but there was no time to rest.

She pushed herself up, dragging her IV stand with her, and stopped a passing nurse. "Discharge me. I need to get back to work."

Minutes later, after freshening up in the staff room, she was back in her scrubs, walking through the hallway when she spotted a group of government officials speaking with two elderly women. Their formal suits, the stiff air around them—it was clear who they were.

Naomi approached her. "They're the childcare officials," she explained. "They came to check on Cassian and Elara."

Evelyn's brows furrowed. Something felt off.

As they made their way toward the pediatric ward, a sharp cry cut through the hallway.

"Nooo! No go! No go 'way!!"

Evelyn's heart clenched.

She rushed forward, Naomi right behind her.

Inside the room, Cassian was terrified, clinging to his sister. Elara trembled in his arms, her tiny fingers gripping onto his shirt as if she'd disappear if she let go. The government officials stood by, hesitant, clearly unsure of how to approach the frightened children.

"No touch! No take! Cassie no wan' go!" Cassian wailed, his big, tear-filled eyes darting around the room in panic. He pressed himself against Elara, shielding her from the strangers.

One of the officials knelt down, speaking gently. "Sweetheart, we're here to help you."

But Cassian shook his head furiously, burying his face in Elara's hair.

Evelyn didn't think twice. She stepped forward, and the moment Cassian spotted her, his tiny body bolted off the bed.

"Evwy!!" he sobbed, running straight into her arms.

Evelyn crouched down just in time to catch him as he latched onto her, his little hands grabbing her coat tightly. His body shook with hiccuping sobs, his whole world crumbling again.

"Pwease... Cassie no go..." his tiny voice cracked, his face buried against her. "No take 'Lara... No go 'way... Evwy... pwease..."

Evelyn swallowed hard, feeling her heart break into a thousand pieces.

She rubbed his back soothingly, pressing a gentle kiss to his soft curls. "Shh, sweetheart... it's okay, I'm here."

Elara whimpered from the bed, her big, frightened eyes darting between the strangers and Evelyn. Naomi quickly picked her up, cradling the little girl in her arms.

Evelyn looked up at the officials, her voice steady. "They're not ready."

The older woman sighed. "Dr. Evelyn, we understand, but we have to move them—"

"They're traumatized," Evelyn cut in. Her arms tightened around Cassian as he sniffled against her neck. "If you try to take them now, you'll only make it worse."

The room fell silent except for Cassian's broken sobs.

One of the officials hesitated before nodding slightly. "We'll give it some time."

Evelyn let out a quiet breath of relief, pressing another kiss to Cassian's head.

"See, baby? I'm not letting anyone take you, okay?" she whispered.

Cassian peeked up at her, his small hands gripping her scrubs tightly. "Pwomise?"

Evelyn's throat tightened.

She smiled, brushing away his tears. "Promise, sweetheart."