Page 14 of Velvet Chains

She scribbled something on the clipboard. “Any dizziness? Headache? Changes to your vision?”

I shook my head. Then hesitated. “A little blurry last night, but it’s fine now.”

Alek looked over at me, concern written plainly on his face. I ignored it.

“Did you lose consciousness at any point?”

“No,” I said quickly. “I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think so?”

“I mean…everything got fuzzy,” I said. “But I remember it. All of it.”

The nurse nodded again, still clinical, but something had softened in her eyes. Not pity exactly. Something quieter. Understanding, maybe.

“Any hoarseness? Voice changes?”

“I’m the DA,” I said. “I talk for a living. You tell me.” I tried to make it a joke, but it didn’t quite land.

She glanced at Alek like she wasn’t sure if she should push. He gave her a tight smile that saidjust do your job.

“I need to ask you something a little more personal now,” she said gently. “Would you prefer if we had this conversation in private?”

“It’s fine,” I said. “He can stay.”

“Okay. Do you feel safe at home?”

“Yes,” I said, which immediately felt like a lie. Russell had broken in. He had almost killed me.

“Do you know the person who did this?”

“Yes.”

“Are you afraid they might hurt you again?”

No, because Kieran Callahan killed and dismembered him.“No,” I said. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

Her pen hovered. Then she gave a small nod. “Would you like to speak with a social worker or advocate today?”

“No, thank you. I have counsel.”

“By law, I’m required to document the offer,” she said, her tone softening. “But you’re not obligated to speak to anyone. Just let your doctor know if you change your mind. We want to make sure you have options.”

Alek and I flashed each other a look. “Okay. I understand. What happens now?”

“I’m going to get the attending,” she said. “They’ll likely order imaging—X-rays, maybe a CT, depending on what they see. You might be moved soon.”

“Okay,” I said, my voice barely audible.

She offered me a small, professional smile, then stepped out of the curtained room. The moment she was gone, I slumped back against the exam table.

“She was gentle,” I muttered. “That was worse than if she hadn’t been.”

Alek didn’t answer right away. I could feel his gaze on me. “It’s not weakness to accept compassion, Ruby.”

I looked up. “You’re just full of motivational quotes today, huh?”

“I moonlight as a TED Talk,” he said dryly.