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But Lorenzo couldn’t hear her. He was somewhere else—somewhere dark. His knuckles were red, his face cut from the scuffle, but he didn’t stop until Jim’s body finally went limp beneath him.

Chest heaving, Lorenzo slowly pushed himself off the man.

And that’s when it happened.

Jim—barely conscious, blood dripping from his face—grabbed the hammer one last time andswung.

Crack.

The sound was sickening.

The hammer struck the back of Lorenzo’s head.

“Lorenzo!” Krystal screamed, running to him as he stumbled forward.

His knees buckled. His body swayed. His hand went to his head, and then—

He collapsed.

Krystal caught him just in time, her knees hitting the pavement beneath his weight. Her arms cradled him tightly, panic slicing through her like ice.

“Lorenzo?! Lorenzo!”

His eyes fluttered, blood soaking her hands as she cradled the back of his head. The warm stickiness coated her fingers—too much, too fast.

Her breath caught as she whispered his name again and again.

But he didn’t answer.

Only his ragged breathing and the soft hum of the streetlights filled the silence now.

Chapter 26 Apology Language

A dull throb pounded through Lorenzo’s head like someone hammering just beneath his skull.

He stirred slowly, his lashes heavy, blinking against the harsh brightness above him. The ceiling was white. Too white. The sterile scent of antiseptic crept into his nose.

A hospital.

Panic surged.

He jerked up instinctively, pain flaring in his temples—but his mind didn’t go to himself.

“Krystal…”

The name fell from his lips like a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

His eyes darted around, wide and desperate,

Then he froze.

Krystal was sitting right beside him. Slumped forward over the edge of his bed, her head resting on his arm. One of her handscurled loosely around his wrist, the other laying gently over his forearm. Her cheek was pressed against both, her breathing slow and even.

She looked drained. Her lashes cast soft shadows on her skin. Her hair was pulled messily back, a few strands falling around her face. It looked like she hadn’t moved in hours.

He froze.

Didn’t dare make a sound.