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“Austin drew up a contract, alleviating me of doctor-patient confidentiality when it comes to you.”

“Really? Why?”

“I can’t answer that. It would be pure speculation.”

His phone rings, and he excuses himself from the room.

I sit for a moment, thinking over what Dr. Alfie has told me. Austin has always been playful and wonderful with his treatment of me, almost hesitant at times. Is that when he stops himself to think about how he really wants to behave? I have so many questions, but how can I ask him if he won’t talk to me?

“Your brother is coming over.” Alfie’s voice interrupts my thoughts. I turn to face him, and I can tell it’s bad.

“Should he be out of the hospital yet?” I say, checking my phone. Why wouldn’t he have just called me directly?

“That remains to be seen.”

“That was Austin, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Dr. Alfie is kind of cold; he has a tough exterior, but I like that he never hesitates to tell the truth.

“Is he coming too?”

“No,” he replies neutrally, taking his seat back on the armchair.

I huff in annoyance, but it’s quickly replaced with a sharp stinging in my chest. I hold myself tighter and close my eyes for a moment. Before I know it, the soft throw pillows have lulled me to sleep.

I wake up to the sound of knocking.

A blanket has been placed over me, and I let it fall down as I stand. My muscles ache from the uncomfortable position I took my nap in, but my heart races at the prospect of seeing my brother. I haven’t seen him since they told me it was too unsafe for me to stay in the hospital. Apparently, they’re still trying to work out what happened to Danny.

Dr. Alfie opens the door and mutters something quietly. I peek over his shoulder and see a short blonde, the nurse from the hospital. No Austin. My brother grimaces when he sees me.

“Hi, Olivia.” The nurse smiles softly.

I nod, stepping forward to help Danny through the threshold.

The purple bruises are still so vibrant across his cheek that I have to bite my lip so I don’t cry. The swelling has reduced dramatically, so at least it actually looks like him. He sits back into the chair that Luca has lifted over the step into the house and sighs when he’s off his foot.

“How are you, Danny?” I ask, wheeling him into the living room. “Do you want to sit on the couch, or are you happy in the chair? Do you need a drink?”

“Livvy, please fucking chill. You’re giving me a headache.”

I press my lips together tight enough to stop my chin from wobbling. The tears threaten to fall, but I have to keep it together for him.

“What the fuck happened between you and my boss?”he asks.

I dart my eyes toward the hallway, and I can still hear the nurse and Alfie talking.

“I’m not sure I should give you the details.”

“Gross, Livvy. Austin? He’s old.”

I flinch at the sound of his name.

“He’s not old. He’s thirty-two.”

“Right, and you’re twenty-four.”