Page 65 of Blind Justice

The doorto her ICU room burst open, and the sound of hurried footsteps filled the space.

“Rae!” Noah’s voice cut through the chaos like a lifeline. He dropped the plastic bag of his soiled clothing and sprinted to her side, his bare feet slapping against the floor. “I’m here! I’m here!”

Ruth froze at the sound of his voice, her breath hitching as he knelt beside her. His arms wrapped around her trembling frame, pulling her tightly against him. “I’m here,” he repeated, his voice breaking with emotion. “I’m sorry—I just went to shower. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m so sorry.”

Ruth clung to him, her fingers digging into his shirt as though he might vanish again if she didn’t hold on tight enough. “I couldn’t find you,” she choked out between sobs. “I thought you were gone. I thought I was alone.”

“I’m here.” He rocked her gently. His hands stroked her back, his touch firm and reassuring. “You’re not alone. I’ll never leave you. I’m so sorry, Rae.”

The nurses arrived moments later, their faces pale with concern. One knelt to check Ruth’s IV site, where blood trickled from the torn vein. Another quickly adjusted the bed and grabbed clean supplies.

“Let us help get her back into bed,” one nurse said softly, her gaze shifting to Noah.

“No,” Ruth murmured, clutching at him desperately. “Don’t let me go.”

“I won’t,” Noah promised, his voice unwavering. “I’ll stay right here. I swear.”

Together, he and the nurses lifted Ruth back into bed. She was shaking, her breath still uneven, but she didn’t let go of Noah’s hand. He settled onto the edge of the mattress, leaning close to her.

“You’re safe now,” he said softly, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. “I won’t leave again. I promise.” His face was filled with fury. He’d left one of the nurses with her. She wasn’t left alone.

Her tears slowed, and the tension in her body began to ease as his presence surrounded her once more. “I can’t see,” she whispered, the words trembling on her lips. “I can’t see anything.”

Noah’s grip tightened, his own tears threatening to fall. “I know,” he said softly, his voice breaking. “But I’m here, Rae.And we’ll get through this.”

Twenty-Five

The darkness pressed in on Ruth. She lay still, her breath uneven as she fought to calm the chaos in her mind. Noah’s hand, warm and strong, had returned to hers, pushing the storm of her fear away. But something gnawed at her—a truth she couldn’t ignore, even in her blindness. She could sense it in the way his hand occasionally trembled, the way his breathing hitched with every movement.

“Noah?” she whispered, her voice breaking through the silence.

“I’m here,” he said softly, squeezing her hand.

Ruth did her best to tilt her head toward him, the darkness amplifying her other senses. His voice was unsteady, and she could feel the exhaustion radiating off him. She didn’t need to see his face to know the lines of strain etched into it or the pain hidden in his quiet groans every time he shifted in his chair.

“You’re hurting,” she said, her words more of a statement than a question.

“I’m fine,” he replied quickly, brushing it off. But she knew better.

Before she could press him further, the sound of footsteps entered the room. Ruth recognized the familiar tone of Tristan’s voice as he addressed the nurses. A moment later, he spoke gently to her, “Ruth, it’s Tristan. The nurses told me about the fall. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” she slurred, though the ache in her side from hitting the floor told a different story.

“You’ve been through a lot,” Tristan said calmly, his voice always a source of quiet reassurance. “We’re all here to help you. I need to check you over to make sure nothing else is hurt, okay?”

Ruth nodded reluctantly. As Tristan examined her, he continued speaking in that calm, measured tone. “Noah’s been by your side nonstop, hasn’t he?”

“Yes,” she whispered, clutching Noah’s hand. “He needs to rest. He won’t listen to me.”

Tristan’s chuckle was soft but knowing. “That sounds about right. Ruth, would you let your mom and Izzy sit with you for a while if Noah needs a break? They’ve been waiting outside, wanting to see you. You need some rest too.”

Ruth hesitated, her lips trembling. She didn’t want to let go of Noah, not when the darkness felt so absolute. But Tristan’s voice was soothing, and deep down, she knew he was right.

“Okay,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “But only if he’s going to rest.”

Tristan patted her shoulder. “Good. Let me bring them in.”

A few moments later, the soft scent of her mother’s familiar perfume filled the room. Her mother’s hand took hers, warm and gentle, and Ruth’s tight grip on Noah loosened.

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