The smell of disinfectant hadn't changed.
Every morning, at the same hour, Leo walked through the hospital's automatic doors pretending to be calm, pretending to be anyone but himself.
He told the nurses and Clara's parents he was just "a friend, checking in."
But every visit was a quiet torture. Watching her motionless in that bed reminded him of everything he'd failed to protect. And of the woman still missing somewhere out there.
That morning, his phone rang.
It was a trusted contact inside the hospital.
"She's awake, Leo. Clara's awake. Her parents are with her. They said you can come in when they step out."
He didn't even reply, just ran down the corridor, boots echoing against the floor.
When he reached room nineteen, Clara's parents were leaving. The mother, weary but kind, looked up at him.
"Go in, dear. Clara's asking for you."
He hesitated only a second before pushing the door open.
Inside, the room was small. The steady beep of a monitor filled the silence.
Clara lay half-upright in bed, her head bandaged, eyes sharp despite the fatigue.
When she saw him, her expression hardened. Her voice came out cracked but cutting.
"Tell me what you did to Nay. I saw you take her. Explain before I call the police."
Leo froze. He raked a hand through his hair, the muscles in his jaw working.
"I didn't do anything to her. It wasn't me."
Clara narrowed her eyes.
"It looked like you, Leo. It sounded like you. She called your name. What the hell happened?"
He moved closer, stopping at the edge of her bed.
"You deserve an explanation, Clara. Things you don't know. Things Nay doesn't know either."
She folded her arms, impatient.
"Well, I'm not going anywhere. Start talking."
Leo took a deep breath.
"I have a twin brother. His name is Damian."
Her eyes widened.
"A twin? And now I'm supposed to believe he's the one who took her?"
He nodded.
"Yes. It was him. Damian works for Miguel's business partner, the man I've seen at those secret meetings. I thought Miguel was just moving drugs. I was sent undercover to get proof, to bring his network down. But I was wrong."
He paused, his voice darkening.
"It's not drugs, Clara. It's worse. He's trading organs. People. Lives."
Clara's breath hitched.
"Oh my God…"
Her hand flew to her mouth, trembling.
"And you knew? You knew and said nothing?"
"No!" he snapped, too quickly. "I found out too late. I was supposed to infiltrate, not… this. Damian's part of it now. Miguel thought he was staging the kidnapping himself, to outsmart his partner, but the bastard tricked him first. Damian got to Nay before anyone else could. Miguel doesn't even realize he's already lost her."
Clara's eyes filled with tears, a mixture of anger and disbelief.
"You should've told her. You should've warned her! Or does she mean that little to you?"
Leo flinched. His voice broke.
"Don't say that. At first, it was just a mission. But then…"
He stopped, staring at the floor.
"Then it wasn't just a mission anymore."
Clara's anger softened, just a little.
"You fell in love with her."
Leo didn't speak, just let out that low, guttural hum that always replaced his words when emotions got too close.
It was enough. Clara understood.
"Now she's in Damian's hands," he said. "And you don't know what he's capable of, Clara. He hates me. He'll destroy her just to hurt me. And the worst part? Nay thinks it's me. She'll never know the difference, we're identical."
Clara felt the air leave her lungs.
"Then we have to do something. If she believes Damian is you… and he plays that role… he could destroy her in every way possible. She loves you, Leo. And when she learns the truth… she'll be shattered."
Leo clenched his fists, eyes burning.
"I need to reach my superiors, find a lead, something. I can't sit here while she's out there with him."
Clara reached for his hand, gripping it tight.
"You're not doing this alone. I'm coming with you. I'm not staying in this bed while she's with those monsters. Tomorrow I'm out of here, and we're finding her together."
Leo gave her a tired, broken smile.
"I don't want to put you in danger. Nay wouldn't forgive me if something happened to you."
Clara arched a brow, a hint of her old spark returning.
"You've got a lot to be forgiven for, soldier boy. But start with this. Go dig for answers. I'll be ready tomorrow. And don't argue."
Leo stared at her for a long moment.
Then, finally, he nodded.
For the first time in days, a flicker of hope returned to his eyes.
Outside, the rain hammered harder against the glass.
Inside, the silence between them became something else, not fear, but resolve.
The hunt had begun.