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“I’m happy to do it.” The doctor took a step in, smiling at the sisters. “I did a thorough examination, and Hannah is mostly fine.” Dr. Fisher and Hannah locked gazes briefly. “But I’ll need to see her for a follow-up in my office.”
“What can we do for her here?” Lauren asked.
“As I explained to Hannah, she is a bit dehydrated, so we took the precaution of starting an IV. You need to make sure she’s drinking lots of fluids. I also explained to your sister that it’s very normal to experience post-traumatic stress after something like what she’s been through. She might need therapy, an antidepressant, or an antianxiety treatment—”
“And I told you that I’m fine.” Hannah scowled at the doctor. “But I forgot to say thank you. I know you’re super busy and that you made a special house call for me.” She tried to sound conciliatory.
“It’s my pleasure. I’m thrilled that you’re home safe and okay,” Dr. Fisher said. “I’ll send one of my staff to check the levels later and change the IV.”
“Thank you again,” Lauren said. The doctor left, and she turned back to Hannah. “If Dr. Fisher says you need an antidepressant, you’re taking an antidepressant.”
“I don’t need an antidepressant, and I don’t need you bossing me around either!”
“Okay, okay. Easy.” Lauren wrapped her arms back around her sister. “Let’s not fight—let’s hug.”
“I’m glad to see you, even if you are bossy.” The aggressive tone leached out of Hannah’s voice, and she sounded gravelly with exhaustion. “Why did you guys have to go to San Francisco—is it what I think?”
Lauren pursed her lips. “You don’t need to worry about anything right now—just rest.”
Hannah sat up a little. “Don’t tell me to rest—not when you just sold your multibillion-dollar company and the technology you’ve been working on for your entire adult life!” Hannah arched an eyebrow, a flash of her old self shining through.
“Okay.” Lauren smiled. “I won’t.”
“Because…?” Hannah looked too afraid to be hopeful.
“Because I didn’t sell Paragon. Not to that overdressed, unscrupulous hack known as Li Na Zhao, and not to any other bully either.”
I held my phone out to Hannah, grinning. “I have a video of your sister telling Li Na to shove it. It’s awesome.”
Lauren blushed while Hannah watched the video, her hand clasped over her mouth. “Wow. I mean…yeah. Hell yeah.” She looked up at me. “What’ve you been doing to my sister? I mean, don’t answer that—”
“You inspired me,” Lauren interrupted. “You fought this whole time, and you weren’t afraid of anything. All I had to deal with was Li Na’s sour face on a screen—you dealt with a lot worse than that. I figured it was the least I could do.” She tucked a lock of Hannah’s hair behind her ear. “Paragon is ours. We built it, and we’re keeping it. We have to continue our wo
rk to help the greater good.”
Hannah’s eyes were wide. “You don’t have to convince me.”
“Your shares have gone up in value, by the way.”
“Great. When I’m feeling better, I can go shoe shopping,” Hannah joked.
“When you’re feeling better, you can buy an entire shoe-manufacturing plant,” Lauren corrected her.
Hannah looked stunned, but only for a moment. “How is Wes? Gabe swore he’s fine, but I didn’t believe him.”
“He’s still in El Camino.” Lauren shot me a look. “He’s doing better.”
Hannah sat up straight. “I think you’re lying too—why did you just look at Gabe like that?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lauren lied. “Just rest—please. And don’t worry about Wesley right now. You’ve been through a lot, and you don’t need to think about anything but recuperating.” Lauren paused for a moment, her lips pursed as she inspected her sister. “Is there anything you want to tell me? Did they…do anything to you?”
“They didn’t touch me—aside from the occasional chokehold or punch—if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Lauren blew out a deep breath and put her face in her hands. “Okay.”
“Can I go see Wes?” Hannah looked from Lauren to me. “Please?”
“Of course,” Lauren assured her, “just as soon as you’re feeling better.”
