Clara wished she could stay longer, learn more about the woman, but she knew she had to leave before Nathaniel decided to come.
"At least you're okay, ma'am," she said softly, giving the old woman's hand a gentle squeeze one last time.
Turning to the nurse at the bedside, she asked, "I have somewhere I need to be. Is there a relative coming to check on her?"
"Yes," the nurse said kindly. "Her daughter will be here shortly. You can leave."
Clara nodded and took a deep breath. As she stepped out into the quiet hospital corridor, she found herself thinking about the woman again.
There was something in her eyes, in the way she smiled despite the pain, that reminded Clara so much of her father. The resemblance was uncanny, and it left a small, bittersweet ache in her chest.
She walked to the hospital exit, the sunlight warm against her face. Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen—Nathaniel.
"Hey," she answered quickly.
"Clara," his voice came calm but firm, the edge of worry still clear. "Don't move. I'm coming to pick you up. Wait where you are."
She frowned slightly. "Nathaniel… it's fine. I was just about to grab a cab."
"No, stay put. I'll be there soon," he said, leaving no room for argument.
Clara sighed and hung up, letting the sound of the bustling street fill her ears. She knew she couldn't argue with him, so she settled on the nearest cafe, slipping inside to wait. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries was comforting, and she found a quiet corner to watch the city move by.
Time passed slowly, the low murmur of chatter around her blending with the hum of the espresso machine. She stirred her coffee absentmindedly, thoughts drifting back to the woman at the hospital. Something about her presence, so strong and familiar, had unsettled Clara in a good way.
Then she noticed a movement across the cafe and froze.
Laura.
The last person she had expected to see. Laura slid into the seat across from her with that same predatory smile Clara remembered all too well. Clara's chest tightened slightly—not enough to make her panic, but enough to put her on edge.
"Clara," Laura said casually, as if their history didn't carry the weight of years of betrayal. "Fancy seeing you here."
Clara's fingers wrapped around her coffee cup, knuckles whitening. She forced herself to stay calm, her voice steady. "Laura."
Laura leaned back, crossing her legs, the picture of effortless confidence. "Mind if I join you?"
Clara studied her for a long moment. Her instincts were screaming caution, but she didn't want to make a scene. "Go ahead," she said finally, keeping her tone neutral.
Laura's smile widened, and she tilted her head, eyes glinting. "I see you've been busy… saving people, running errands. How very heroic of you."
Clara's mind raced. Why was Laura here? Was it chance, or had she been following her? She couldn't tell if she should confront her now or wait for Nathaniel to arrive. Either way, Clara knew she couldn't let herself look intimidated—not completely.
She took a slow sip of her coffee, keeping her posture relaxed, even as her heart rate quickened. Laura's presence was like a storm she'd been through before—familiar, dangerous, and impossible to ignore.
Clara set her coffee down, letting her gaze stay calm and steady on Laura. Laura's smile didn't waver, but there was something sharp in her eyes now—a warning.
"You're lucky you weren't the one in that accident today," Laura said smoothly, leaning forward slightly. "Could've ended badly for you."
What did she mean by wasn't the one in the accident. Clara thought.
Clara raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I don't care about you, Laura." Her voice was even, skeptical. "I've stopped letting you scare me a long time ago."
Laura's smile flickered, just for a moment, before returning. "You should watch out," she said quietly, almost a hiss. "Nathaniel might… just leave you."