Chapter 357

Outside the ward, the hallway felt colder. Cristo was standing there. Of course he was. The moment she saw him, her frustration doubled. Her jaw tightened. Jabco might have left, but his shadow hadn’t. Cristo standing there felt like proof that she wasn’t free. That she couldn’t even walk alone without someone watching. Cristo noticed the change in her expression immediately. He straightened slightly, unsure whether to speak or stay silent. Riyana didn’t say a word. She walked past him. Cristo followed. They moved through the corridor, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly. Nurses passed by. A patient coughed somewhere. The hospital carried on as usual, unaware of the storm brewing inside her chest. As they stepped outside, Riyana slowed down. Her eyes caught sight of something that made her stop. Jabco. He was standing near his car. Rose was with him. They were talking. Riyana stayed where she was, watching from a distance. Her heart sank slowly, not suddenly. It wasn’t shock. I