The air around suddenly became warm. No one moved or said a word.

Roman nodded once to the nurses, who gently guided Tessa toward one of the waiting cars.

“What’s going on?” Tessa asked, her voice faint as she was eased forward.

“Nothing,” Roman said immediately. Soft yet steady. “I’ll be right with you.”

His eyes never left the woman standing across from them.

“Martha—”

“It’s Mrs Kalstein to you,” she cut in sharply.

Roman nodded his head, briefly. “Mrs Kalstein. What brings you here?”

She laughed once—short, and brittle. “Are you genuinely clueless, Roman, or are you just trying to piss me off? Because I’m not in the mood.”...