Chapter 216 The Quiet Beginning of a Storm

When Mallory pushed open the ward door, Gabriel was seated beside the bed, quietly peeling an apple. At the sound of her entering, he lifted his head. However, his gaze slipped past her to the hallway behind her instead. The person he expected was not there. His hand paused mid-slice. "Where's Emily?" Mallory's expression—already strained—tightened for a moment. "She has something important to handle." She stepped to the bedside, her attention shifting to Sophia's hand where the IV line was taped. "Mr. Holton, I need to examine the patient. I'm going to have to ask you to step out." Gabriel frowned. He glanced at Sophia, who seemed to stir at the noise and slowly opened her eyes. After a long beat, he stood. "Sophia, I'll come back after work." Sophia weakly nodded and offered a pale smile. "Okay. Go ahead, don't worry about me." Only then did Gabriel turn to leave. But before he did, he gave Mallory a long, probing look before stepping out and closing the door behind him. Af