Page 60 of Shattered By Grace

Taylor’s eyes narrowed, her teasing fading into something more serious. “You’re a terrible liar. And if you’re looking up a patient like you’re hacking into the CIA, I’m guessing this is about one of them.”

Victoria swallowed. She didn’t answer. She didn’t have to.

Taylor’s expression hardened, her voice lowering. “Grace, what the hell are you getting yourself into?”

Victoria exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through her hair. “It’s complicated.”

Taylor scoffed. “Yeah, no kidding. And if you’re breaking rules to check on him, I’m guessing it’s more than just complicated. Grace, talk to me.”

Victoria hesitated, her chest tightening. How could she explain when she didn’t even understand it herself?

“Soon. Promise, but right now I have to go check on a patient.” Victoria had a tight smile on her face as she walked around Taylor, “Plus you have a job to do, go be the rockstar nurse.”

Taylor narrowed her eyes, clearly unsatisfied, but she let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine, but don’t think for a second that I’m letting this go.”

Victoria flashed a quick grin over her shoulder. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Taylor muttered something under her breath before calling after her. “And I’m the best badass rockstar nurse, thank you very much.”

Victoria chuckled, but as she rounded the corner, her smile faded. Her pulse quickened, urgency setting in as she made her way down the hallway.

Taylor was off her back, but there was still one thing left to do before she could find Tyson.

Victoria pushed aside the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind and stepped into the room, her smile steady.

“Hi Sarah, I’m Grace, your midwife. Let’s see what’s going on.”

The woman needed her full attention, and Victoria wouldn’t let her down. She reassured her, monitored her vitals, and stayed until the patient was stable.

Victoria gave the patient one last reassuring smile before slipping out of the room. Pausing just outside the door, she caught the attention of a newer nurse at the station.

“Page me if she has any changes,” she said, her voice steady.

The nurse nodded, and with that, Victoria turned on her heel, her mind already elsewhere.

She checked her phone out of habit, still nothing. Not that she expected a message from Tristan. She didn’t even have his number.

Jaw tightening, heart pounding, she headed for the second floor. As she neared Tyson’s room, she hesitated for a second. Then, squaring her shoulders, she pushed forward.

Victoria stepped toward the corner, then froze.

Justin stood just feet away, deep in conversation with Cassian Locke. Tyson and Tristan’s father.

Her pulse stopped.

She flattened herself against the wall, the cold seeping through her scrubs. She had known Justin was working with him, but she had convinced herself that he was different. That he was playing both sides, keeping Cassian close while secretly finishing what her father started. That he was on her side.

God, how stupid am I?

“Mr. Locke, I promise I’m close to getting the answers you seek,” Justin said, his voice steady but edged with nerves. “I know she works here.”

Her stomach dropped.

He’s talking about me.

A sharp, icy feeling spiked through her veins.

Justin said something else, but the rush of her heartbeat in her ears muffled the sound.

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