Daniel's accusation hung heavily in the sterile hallway air.

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock. "What are you implying? That I want him to suffer?"

"Your actions suggest little else," Daniel countered coldly, his loyalty to Theodore making him defensive. "You've shown him nothing but coldness since you arrived."

"That's not true!" Evelyn protested, though a pang of guilt pricked her conscience. She had been distant, but Theodore's behavior was hardly inviting sympathy. "He just threw a nurse out for trying to help! How was I supposed to react?"

"Perhaps with something other than amusement," Daniel shot back, recalling her earlier expression.

Evelyn fell silent, crossing her arms. This was impossible. She was trapped between a volatile Theodore and his fiercely protective assistant.

Inside the room, they heard a crash, followed by a low groan of pain.

Daniel's head snapped toward the door. "Mr. Vance!"

He looked frantically from the door to Evelyn. His duty was to his boss, but Theodore's orders were clear.

Evelyn made a decision. "Forget what he said. His injury is more important than his pride right now." She reached for the door handle. "We're going back in."

Daniel hesitated for only a second before nodding grimly. "You're right."

They re-entered the room to find Theodore slumped against the pillows, clutching his shoulder. A glass of water lay shattered on the floor. His face was pale, beads of sweat dotting his forehead. The bandage was visibly stained with fresh blood.

He glared at them as they entered. "I said get out!"

"We're not leaving, Theodore," Evelyn stated firmly, her voice surprisingly steady. "Your wound needs to be dressed. Now."

"I told you, I don't want anyone—"

"I'll do it," Evelyn interrupted.

The room fell silent. Theodore stared at her, his anger momentarily replaced by stunned disbelief. Daniel looked equally surprised.

"You?" Theodore finally managed, his voice hoarse.

"Yes, me," Evelyn said, walking toward the supply cart. "Unless you prefer to bleed all over your expensive sheets. Daniel, can you find a fresh bandage and antiseptic?"

Daniel, snapping out of his surprise, hurried to assist.

Theodore watched Evelyn, his expression unreadable. A part of him wanted to refuse, to push her away again. But another, weaker part was captivated by the determined set of her jaw.

Evelyn approached the bed, supplies in hand. She avoided his intense gaze, focusing solely on the injured shoulder. "This might hurt," she warned softly.

Theodore simply grunted in response, his eyes never leaving her face.

Her touch was clinical yet surprisingly gentle as she cleaned the area around the torn stitches. She worked in silence, her concentration absolute. Theodore winced slightly but didn't pull away. Her proximity was both a torture and a strange comfort.

He could smell the faint scent of her perfume, something light and floral, a stark contrast to the antiseptic hospital smell.

"Why?" he asked suddenly, his voice low.

Evelyn didn't look up. "Why what?"

"Why are you doing this? You made your feelings perfectly clear."

She paused her ministrations for a brief moment. "I don't want your death on my conscience, Theodore. It's as simple as that."

A bitter smile touched his lips. "Of course. Not out of concern. Just liability."

Evelyn resumed her work, her movements precise. "Call it what you want. Just hold still."

Daniel watched from a distance, a complex mix of emotions on his face. He saw the way Theodore looked at Evelyn—a raw, desperate hunger that was painful to witness.

Evelyn finished applying the new bandage, securing it neatly. "There. It should hold, but you need to stop moving around."

She finally met his gaze. The fury from before had subsided, replaced by a deep, weary intensity that made her stomach flutter nervously.

"Thank you," he murmured, the words seeming to surprise even him.

Evelyn simply nodded, gathering the used supplies. The tension in the room had shifted, becoming something thicker, more charged.

Theodore's hand shot out, gently grasping her wrist. His touch was warm. "Stay."

Evelyn's breath hitched. She looked from his hand to his face. "Theodore..."

"Just for a little while," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. The command was gone, replaced by something that sounded almost like a plea.

Daniel quietly slipped out of the room, giving them a semblance of privacy.

Evelyn stood rooted to the spot, her wrist still captive in his grasp. She was trapped again, but this time by a look in his eyes that she couldn't quite decipher. A look that made her heart pound for an entirely different reason. The night was far from over.