“But the accident was my fault, brother. I hurt you… and I hurt Amara badly too because of my carelessness.”
“I don’t care,” Maverick said instantly.
His voice rose emotionally as he pointed at himself.
“Look at me. I’m completely fine now.”
Zoe looked at him quietly for a moment before whispering softly, “I know.”
Maverick’s jaw tightened.
Unable to meet her eyes anymore, he turned his head away.
His gaze landed on Elias.
For the first time since the accident, when their eyes met, Elias didn’t see hatred in Maverick’s expression.
The anger and resentment that had been there for months had finally weakened.
Neither of them spoke.
But the silence between them no longer felt as hostile as before.
After a long moment, Maverick finally straightened and looked toward everyone else in the room.
“Everyone out,” he said firmly. “Zoe needs rest.”
No one argued.
One by one, they quietly walked out of the hospital room.
***
Elias stepped out of the elevator in a daze, only to find himself standing outside Amara’s apartment.
He stared at the door silently, his chest rising and falling unevenly. His mind was still spinning, Zoe’s words echoing endlessly in his head.
A moment later, he pulled out his phone and called Amara.
The call rang once.
Twice.
No answer.
His jaw tightened, and he called again. Still nothing.
Then he called a third time.
This time, she finally picked up.
“Elias, I’m no—”
“Come out,” he cut her off sharply. His voice was low and grim. “I’m outside your apartment.”
There was a pause on the other end.
Amara seemed to sense something strange in his tone, but then she sighed in frustration.
