Chapter 288

Hospital. When Dominic arrived, Nelson was still in the emergency room. Claire sat quietly outside the door. Her striking face had streaks of black soot on it, and she was the only one in the long corridor, which made her look even lonelier. "Debbie, what happened with Nelson? How'd he end up in the hospital?" Dominic jogged over, a little out of breath. Claire slowly looked up, unsure how to even start explaining. This whole mess... she had a part in it. If she'd just stopped Nelson and gone to help her grandpa herself, maybe he wouldn't have gotten dragged into this. She'd rather be the one hurt than owe Nelson anything. "What's going on, Debbie? Don't tell me your brother punched Nelson again and landed him here." Dominic still had the energy to crack jokes despite the situation. But Claire couldn't bring herself to laugh. She pressed her lips together, managed a hoarse, "I'm sorry." She stood up from the bench, but after sitting still for so long, her legs gave out a bit and she ne