Chapter 97

Elena’s POV The first warning was the silence. No footsteps. No voices. Just the faint hum of the vents and the sound of Zaky’s breathing, too loud for comfort, right behind me. I barely had time to think. I grabbed him by the arm and shoved him into the closet just as the door slid open. The nurse stepped in like she owned the room. My pulse spiked, heat crawling up my neck. I turned away from the closet, forcing my face into something neutral and careless. Her eyes narrowed. “What were you doing?” “Living,” I said flatly. She sniffed the air. “You’re sweating.” I wiped my forehead slowly, meeting her stare without blinking. “I was exercising. Or is that illegal now? And since when did knocking become optional?” She didn’t apologize. Didn’t even pretend to feel awkward. “I did but you didn’t respond,” she said. “Protocol says we check for your well-being.” Right. For my well-being. “So?” I crossed my arms. “You done inspecting me?” She tilted her head, like she was filing me away in h