The nurse entered the room holding a change of clothes.
"Here," she said softly. "You need to wear these."
But Vicky didn't move. Her eyes sharpened.
"Did your boss send you?" she asked, voice low and guarded. "To kill me?"
The nurse blinked in confusion.
"Yes. He asked me to bring you these clothes—"
"Don't come any closer!" Vicky snapped, backing away. "I will kill you! Where's Necro?"
"What?! No! Who's Necro?" the nurse stammered, eyes wide.
Vicky's breathing grew erratic as paranoia bled into her gaze. To her, the nurse looked unreal—another illusion in a waking nightmare.
"Don't touch me!" she barked, flinching as the nurse stepped forward.
"You need to get dressed… so you can go home," the nurse urged, trying to remain calm.
Vicky's eyes narrowed, staring at the clothes with suspicion.
"I'm not stupid. Did you put a bomb in there?"
"A… bomb?" The nurse was baffled. "No! Mr. Nathan asked you to wear these."
Everything froze for a moment.
Vicky's breathing slowed. Her expression softened.
"...Nathaniel?" she whispered, as if his name had a calming effect. "Nathaniel… is he here?"
"Yes. He's waiting for you. He sent these for you."
Before the nurse could say more, Monica and Kuku burst in.
"Vicky! Thank God you're awake!" Kuku cried, rushing to her bedside.
Monica leaned in and wrapped her in a hug.
"Kuku?" Vicky asked, blinking. "How did you get here?"
"Just arrived," Monica said, her smile warm with relief. "We were all so worried."
"Aww, that's sweet. I'm fine," Vicky said, finally allowing a small smile to escape.
"Okay, now put on those clothes, and then we can catch up properly," Kuku encouraged.
Vicky rose quietly and went to change.
Meanwhile, the nurse hurried to Nathan's cabin.
"Sir, she's awake," she said.
Nathan's eyes widened. Instantly, he slipped his hand from Catty's and stood up.
Catty noticed the shift. Her smile faltered.
Without another word, Nathan left the room.
Back in Vicky's room, she was seated, nibbling on food Monica had brought. The nurse entered with more food, just as Nathan stepped inside, followed by Sofia, Cynthia, and others.
Nathan rushed to her.
"Hey. You're awake. How are you feeling? Any pain? Is the wound hurting?"
Vicky looked up—and the first thing that flashed through her mind was the memory of their almost-kiss. Her heart clenched with confusion, but seeing his family and fiancée behind him, she swallowed the emotion.
"Chill, she's eating," Monica teased.
Catty, stepping forward, gasped as recognition struck. She'd seen this girl before—at the dance video shoot… and the mall.
She slinked closer to Nathan and wrapped her arm around his.
"Hi, Vicky," she said, voice sugary sweet. "You're lucky to have woken up. Everyone was worried sick about you."
Nathan gave her a sideways look, confused by her sudden affection.
"Yes… especially Nate," Monica chimed in, her smile edged with sarcasm.
Catty extended her hand toward Vicky while clinging to Nathan.
"I'm Nate's wife," she announced proudly.
"Catty," Nathan whispered, voice low, "I need space."
Vicky arched a brow.
"That's a very long name," she quipped.
Everyone chuckled.
"Her name is Catty," Cynthia clarified, trying not to laugh.
"Hi, Catty," Vicky said, shaking her hand. "Last time we met, I didn't give my name. I'm Victoria."
Sofia stepped forward. "How are you feeling?"
Vicky looked around, visibly touched.
"Oh… You're not my family, but you care so much. I'm alright, and thank you."
"That's how we love in this home," Kuku smiled. "And this is just a glimpse of it."
Vicky's gaze drifted to the hospital walls.
"Just to be clear… this is a real hospital, right?"
Nathan nodded. "Yes. I built it for my family… and now it serves everyone."
"Hm. Last time I woke up in a hospital, a masked man tried to kill me," she muttered.
Everyone chuckled, thinking she was joking.
But Vicky wasn't smiling. Yet seeing their genuine laughter—she smiled faintly.
"Speaking of family… I need to see mine," she added.
"Your brother came," Monica said. "He had to rush to school, though. He's the one who brought you that food."
Vicky touched the food container, her expression softening.
"Yeah… he must've handled everything."
Suddenly, pain erupted in her head. Her vision blurred.
"Vicky? Are you okay?" Nathan asked.
"My head… it's fighting me," she whispered.
"I'm calling the doctor," Nathan said, already pulling out his phone.
Catty saw the look in Nathan's eyes—and her heart twisted with jealousy.
Vicky collapsed.
Later, at school…
Ruben dropped Evan off.
"Thanks, bro," Evan said, adjusting his backpack.
"I'll stay on top of things," Ruben assured him. "She might be discharged later today."
Evan looked down. "What… exactly happened to Vicky?"
"No one knows. Not even Nathan, and he's the one who found her."
Evan clenched his fists. "I already have Mom in the hospital. I can't… I can't handle losing Vicky too. Please, make sure she eats that food I gave Monica."
"I will. I promise," Ruben said, starting the engine.
As Evan walked toward the school building, he whispered under his breath,
"I'm sorry, sis… whatever this is, I won't let it break us. Not even for a minute."