Page 110 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Taking a deep breath, I gave Heather’s hand a final squeeze as I stood. “I’m going to wash up. I’ll be right back.”
Heather’s eyelids were already drooping with exhaustion. “Okay. I’ll be here.”
I slipped out of the room and made my way down the quiet hospital corridor. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the linoleum floor. I found the restroom and pushed open the door.
The room was empty, and I moved to the sink, turning on the faucet. As the cool water ran over my hands, I watched it swirl down the drain. My gaze flicked to my reflection, and I took in the dark circles under my eyes and the worry lines creasing my forehead.
But there was something else there, too. A glimmer of determination, of strength. I had a long road ahead of me, butfor the first time in a long time, I felt like I could handle it. I had my family, I had Noah, and I had myself.
I grabbed a paper towel and dried my hands. Taking another deep breath, I squared my shoulders and convinced myself I was ready to face whatever came next.
As I approached Heather’s room, I heard voices coming from inside. My heart picked up speed as I slowed my steps and crept closer to the door, straining to hear the conversation happening inside. I couldn’t make out the words, but I could hear the low rumble of Chief Peter Warman’s voice, followed by Heather’s lighter tone.
I hesitated, my hand hovering over the doorknob. Part of me wanted to burst in and demand to know what was going on. But another part of me, the part that was still learning to trust, held me back.
I leaned my forehead against the door. I could hear Chief Warman more clearly now. He seemed to be asking Heather questions, taking her statement about what had happened.
I held my breath, not wanting to miss a single word. Heather’s voice was steady as she recounted the events.
“I heard a car pull up outside the house,” Heather said. “At first, I didn’t think much of it. But then I heard the gate close and footsteps coming toward the door.”
My heart clenched as I listened.
“Then there was banging on the door,” Heather said. “A man’s voice calling out for Zoey. He kept shouting her name, over and over. When no one answered, he got angrier, more aggressive.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, tears threatening to spill over. I knew that voice all too well. George. The one that had once whispered sweet nothings in my ear, only to turn around and hurl insults and accusations. God, Heather must have been so scared at that moment.
The door creaked as I pushed it open, announcing my presence. Chief Warman and Heather looked at me, their conversation halting abruptly.
Warman cleared his throat. “Zoey.”
I glanced at him, then Heather. “Can I come in?”
Nodding, Heather gestured for me to join her on the bed again. The bed creaked slightly under my weight as I settled next to her.
Chief Warman cleared his throat. “I was just asking your sister if she recognized the voice of the man who broke into her home.”
I saw the flash of anger in Heather’s eyes. She sat up straighter next to me, her hands gripping the sheets tightly into fists, her knuckles white.
“Of course I recognized it,” she spat out, her words dripping with venom. “It was George. George James. Zoey’s fucking ex.”
The name hung in the air like a curse, and I flinched. Hearing his name spoken aloud made it all too real, too immediate. Thank God Sam had taken Ro. He didn’t need to hear this. Not when he’d lived through it.
I thought of all the times I’d heard that voice raised in anger or dripping with false sweetness. The way he’d whisper threats in my ear, his breath hot against my skin.
And now he’d come for my sister, for my son. My stomach churned, and bile rose in my throat. I stood and paced around the room, the emotions making each step heavy and uncertain.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet Chief Warman’s gaze. “You have my statement, the one I made for the restraining order.” I reminded him. “You saw the pictures, what he did to me. He’s not a good man, I know that. He’s hurt me before, but this...” I trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
Chief Warman nodded, his expression grim. “I’ve got a full-scale search operation underway. We won’t leave any stone unturned, Zoey. I promise you that.”
I wanted to believe him, wanted to take comfort in his words. But l knew all too well how cunning George could be. He had vast and dangerous resources at his disposal and could easily slip through the cracks. Even though I had a restraining order in place, his actions showed he didn’t give a fuck about the legal system.
I sank into the chair beside Heather’s bed, my legs suddenly weak. She took my hand, squeezing it tightly.
Chief Warman leaned forward in his chair, his pen poised over his notebook. “What did you do next, Heather?”
Heather took a deep breath, her grip on my hand tightening. “After I realized it was George at the door, I told Roland to hide upstairs. I wasn’t about to let that bastard anywhere near him.”
