(WILLIAMS MANSION)

Thalia finally agreed to come home from the hospital. It hadn’t been easy but she just had to be back.

She had stayed stubbornly at the hospital for almost a week, refusing to move an inch, her arms folded tightly. No matter how many times they reassured her, no matter how many gentle words were offered, she wouldn’t listen.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she had said firmly. “Not until I see him in a good condition...”

Her eyes were red, swollen, and burning from tears she refused to shed tears anymore. Her heart was still racing, her hands trembling every time she thought about how close she’d come...