Page 64 of Pastel Kisses

“Surprise it is,” the doctor replies with a smile, jotting a note. “Now, we’d like to keep you overnight for observation—standard protocol, especially after everything you’ve endured. But if all continues to look good, you’ll be ready to go home tomorrow.”

A sudden wave of emotion crashes into me. Home. After all this time.

“Where will you be staying?” he asks, glancing up.

“Oh, um—my house,” I say, blinking, almost unsure how to answer such a simple question after months of captivity.

His eyes lift from his notes, assessing. “Will you be alone?”

Before I can get a single word out, five male voices respond in unison. “No.”

My mouth opens in stunned amusement as the doctor laughs, clearly startled by the coordinated answer.

Kamden steps forward, arms crossed, expression resolute. “She won’t be alone. We’ll all be staying with her.”

The doctor nods approvingly. “Good. She’ll need help—physical and emotional support. It’s going to be an adjustment, even with her strength. She’ll need time, and people who love her.”

I glance at each of them—my guys, my anchors, my home—and my dad, who looks like he’s ready to build an empire just to protect me. I don’t say anything, because I don’t need to. Everything I feel is written on my face.

“I’ll leave orders for pain management and continue your antibiotics,” the doctor continues. “But if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call the nurse. You’ve already done the hard part, Avery. Now we focus on healing.”

My body sags into the pillows with relief. “That sounds amazing.”

He gives me a kind smile. “I thought so, too. But before we all get too comfortable…” He glances over his shoulder at the door. “The police are here. They’d like to speak with you again, if you’re up for it.”

The words make my stomach twist, but I nod. “Yeah. I’m ready.”

The doctor pats my arm gently, then slips out of the room, leaving behind a quiet hum of tension as we all prepare for what’s next.

As soon as the doctor slips out of the room, the door swings open again, revealing two unfamiliar men in dark suits. The one in front speaks first, his tone professional but gentle.

“Avery Dawson?”

My pulse skips as I straighten slightly. “Hi, yes. That’s me.”

“I’m Detective Jensen, and this is Detective Swanson,” he says, motioning to the other man beside him. “We’d like to ask you a few questions, if that’s all right?”

I nod, but confusion furrows my brow. “Sure... but I already gave my statement.” I assume they’re following up on the information I gave earlier.

Jensen shakes his head. “We’re not here for that. We’re here to talk to you about Sarah Hearst.”

Sarah Hearst. Hearing her full name makes my skin crawl. “What about her?” I ask carefully, already on edge.

It hits me all at once—I never even thought to ask what happened after I escaped. I’ve been so focused on getting back to safety, to my family, that I didn’t think to ask the one question that now makes my stomach churn:Is she dead or alive?

Jensen hesitates, glancing at his partner. That pause alone tells me everything I need to know.

“She...” He exhales and delivers the blow. “Once you were taken to the hospital, the police conducted a full search of her house. But she wasn’t there. She escaped before we could detain her.”

My body goes rigid. “What?” The word barely escapes as my heart slams against my ribs like a prisoner trying to escape. Panic sets in so fast, it threatens to drown me.

“What do you mean she wasn’t there?” My voice cracks. “I knocked her out. I watched her fall. She was bleedingeverywhere. She couldn’t have just... disappeared!”

A heavy wave of nausea rolls through me.She’s out there. Breathing. Plotting. Waiting. My mind spirals with all the ways she could come after me—or worse, the people I love.

Dad is already halfway out of his seat, anger radiating off him in waves. “How the hell did you let her get away?” he growls, the protective father in him barely restrained.

Swanson steps forward. “We’ve issued an APB and locked down the hospital perimeter. We’re checking security footage and interviewing everyone on staff. An officer has been stationed at your home and will remain posted there until she’s apprehended.”

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