Page 188 of BounBound By Scars

Good.

I needed a second wind.

Moments later, she returned with a broader male nurse in navy scrubs who looked like he bench-pressed recovering patients for fun.

“You need tosettle down,sir,” he said calmly but firmly.

I met his gaze. “Do I have internal bleeding?”

He blinked. “No.”

“Cranial trauma? Stroke? Brain swelling? Seizure risk?”

“No.”

“Can I sign myself out against medical advice?”

He looked between me and the other nurse, clearly weighing the risks. Then said, “Yes… but—”

“I’m leaving.”

“Sir—”

“I need toleave,” I said, sharper now. “Get my damn clothes and the AMA form.”

They were silent.

“I’m walking out of this room with or without paperwork,” I said, already gritting my teeth as I slid both legs over the edge.

Pain knifed through my ribs.

Didn’t matter.

I’d crawl through broken glass if it meant getting to her.

The male nurse stepped back. Not in fear—just understanding.

“Fine,” he said. “I’ll start the discharge.”

The female nurse sighed and stormed out.

I leaned forward, gripping the side of the bed, breathing through the ache.

Three days.

She probably thinks I’m dead.

Ipromisedher I’d come back.

And I would.

Even if it killed me.

???

The last time I was here, I was sneaking in.

I was a rogue asset.

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