Chapter 1 - The Silent Promise
I could not breathe.
The cold sterile air of the hospital room seemed to vanish.
Noah’s eyes locked onto mine, searching for the sister he had lost two years ago.
I wanted to scream, to tell him everything Garrett had done to me.
But the fear paralyzed my throat, trapping the words behind my teeth.
I shook my head slowly, terrified that the walls themselves were listening.
"Elena, please," Noah whispered, stepping closer to the examination table.
"I have not slept a full night since the day you stopped returning my calls."
He reached out and gently touched my uninjured hand, his fingers trembling with suppressed rage.
"I know this was not an accident, El."
Tears finally broke free, tracing hot paths down my cheeks.
"He is right outside that door, Noah," I choked out, my voice barely a whisper.
"If he finds out you are here, he will kill me."
Noah’s jaw clenched so hard I thought his teeth might shatter.
He looked at the dark, bruised skin around my neck, a fresh testament to my daily nightmare.
"He is not going to touch you ever again," Noah vowed quietly.
"I am going to get you out of here."
Before I could respond, a loud, impatient knock echoed from the heavy wooden door.
"Elena? What is taking so long in there?" Garrett’s smooth, demanding voice slithered into the room.
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Noah squeezed my hand one last time before slipping his personal cell phone into my deep coat pocket.
"Hide this, and text me when he is asleep," he commanded silently.
