Chapter 247
CMWMBB 49
AARON
Whatever was happening with Venus, I knew I had to back off and give her space-just long enough to figure out what was going on.
The drive home after George’s session was quiet, awkward. Even though she tried to hide it, I saw the hurt in her eyes when she realized I had given her the distance she demanded.
I slept badly that night.
By midmorning the next day, Connor was in my office. He closed the door behind him and set his tablet on the desk without sitting.
“I pulled everything you asked for,” he said. “And a few things you didn’t p>
I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers. “Start with the clinic p>
Connor tapped the screen. “Security footage, second floor, east wing. Time-stamped to George’s session p>
The video loaded. Grainy, but clear enough. The hallway I’d stood in less than twenty-four hours earlier. The same cart rolling past. The same elevator doors opening and closing with indifferent regularity.
Then the figure appeared.
Broad shoulders. Familiar posture. Head angled just enough to suggest alertness, not anxiety.
Colton.
My jaw clenched.
Connor let the footage play without commentary. Colton moved through the corridor with purpose, paused briefly near the elevators, checked his phone, then turned out of frame.
“Run it back,” I said.
Connor did.
“Enhance p>
He zoomed in slightly, adjusted contrast. The face was never fully visible-angles, timing, fluorescent glare- but it didn’t matter.
I would know that walk anywhere.
“That places him there,” Connor said carefully. “But that alone p>
“Show me the exits,” I cut in.
Connor nodded and split the screen. Another camera angle loaded. Exterior footage this time. A side exit—staff entrance, rarely used by patients.
1/7
The timestamp rolled forward.
First: Venus.
She stepped out into the light, phone to her ear, shoulders tight, eyes scanning the lot before she moved. She walked fast but not panicked. Controlled. Intentional.
Minutes later-six, exactly-Colton emerged from the same door.
Not together.
But not separate enough to be coincidence.
My chest went cold.
“That puts them in the same place,” Connor said. “Within minutes. Same exit p>
I didn’t answer.
My mind replayed Venus’s words: I know exactly what I’m doing.
“Has Colton checked in?” I asked.
Connor shook his head. “No. But he texted p>
He pulled up a message and turned the tablet toward me:
> Got caught up with something. I’ll meet you soon. Bay Seven.
No apology. No detail.
“When?” I asked.
“An hour ago,” Connor said. “He hasn’t shown p>
I exhaled slowly through my nose. “All right. What else p>
Connor hesitated.
“Hospital discharge footage,” he said. “From the day Venus was released p>
I straightened. “Rick said it was missing p>
“He wasn’t wrong,” Connor replied. “Footage from that day is gone. All of it. Corrupted, supposedly p>
“Supposedly,” I echoed.
“I did a sweep anyway,” Connor continued. “Peripheral cameras. Opposite angles. Things people don’t usually think to check.” 1
He tapped the screen again.
The video that loaded was from across the street. A public traffic camera angled slightly too high, too wide. The hospital entrance sat at the edge of the frame, half-obscured by a tree and a bus stop.
2/7
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.