Nick pulled the crying Lily out of the room, his demeanor shifting from the rage-fueled fury of moments before to something more controlled, though still intense. His jaw was set, eyes fixed ahead as he navigated the narrow hallway, but the harshness that had twisted his features minutes ago had softened slightly. He didn’t say a word as he scooped her up into his arms, carrying her as if she weighed nothing.
Lily clung to him, her small fingers gripping his shirt with a desperation that spoke of her lingering terror. Her sobs quieted slightly as she buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking through the fabric. The rhythmic thud of Nick's heartbeat, strong and steady, was a stark contrast to the erratic pounding in her own chest. She could still feel the tremors of fear coursing thr
