Chapter 5 - The Visitor in the Hallway
Charles froze mid-stride, his eyes locking onto the frosted glass panel of the hospital room door.
The heavy footsteps stopped directly outside Room 412.
Sarah’s face went entirely white. Her monitor began to beep faster, the steady rhythm fracturing into a frantic spike as pure, unadulterated panic took over her features. She reached out, blindly grabbing Charles’s wrist with surprising strength.
"They're here," she whispered, her voice barely a breath of air. "Charles, please... get out of here. They know you're my emergency contact. They tracked the hospital call."
"Nobody is touching you," Charles said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, protective register born of sheer instinct. He turned toward the door just as the shadow of a broad-shouldered figure fell across the frosted glass.
There was no knock.
The brass door handle slowly depressed downward with a soft, ominous click.
Charles stepped in front of the bed, planting his feet firmly on the floor, his fists clenched at his sides. The door swung open to reveal a tall man in a tailored charcoal suit, wearing an impassive expression that didn't match the cold, calculating glint in his eyes. He wasn't a doctor, and he certainly wasn't a police officer.
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The man glanced past Charles, his eyes briefly sweeping over Sarah in the bed before returning to Charles with chilling politeness.
"Mr. Miller," the man said smoothly, his voice deep and entirely devoid of warmth. "I’m glad we finally caught up with you. We have some urgent matters regarding Meridian Holdings to discuss—and I think it's time we talk about what your ex-wife has been keeping from you."
